Man defigning to improve himself, may get into the Conversation and Acquaintance of Perfons of Condition where he comes; which tho' a thing of moft advantage to a Gentleman that travels, yet I ask amongst our young Men, that go abroad under Tutors, what one is there of an hundred, that ever vifits any Perfon of Quality? much less makes an Acquaintance with fuch, from whofe Converfation he may learn, what is good Breeding in that Country, and what is worth Obfer vation in it, tho' from fuch Perfons it is, one may learn more in one Day, than in a Years rambling from one Inn to another. Nor indeed is it to be wondred. For Men of Worth and Parts, will not easily admit the Familiarity of Boys, who yet need the care of a Tutor; tho' a young Gentleman and Stranger, appearing like a Man, and fhewing a defire to inform himfelf in the Customs, Manners, Laws, and Government of the Country he is in, will find welcome, affiftance and entertainment, amongst the best and most knowing Perfons, every where, who will be ready to receive, encourage, and countenance an ingenious and inquifitive Foreigner. S. 216. This, how true foever it be, will not, I fear, alter the Cuftom, which has caft the time of Travel upon the worst part of a Man's Life; but for Reasons not taken from their Improvement. The young Lad muft not be ventured abroad at Eight or Ten, for fear what may happen to the tender Child tho' he then runs ten times lefs rifque than at Sixteen or Eighteen. Nor muft he stay at home till that dan gerous heady Age be over, because he must be back again by One and twenty, to marry, and propagate. The Father, cannot flay any longer for the Portion, nor the Mother for a new Set of Babies to play with: And fo my young Mafter, whatever comes on't, muft have a Wife look'd out for him, by that time he is of Age; tho' it would be no prejudice to his Strength, his Parts, or his Iffue, if it were refpited for fome time, and he had leave to get, in Years and Knowledge, the start a little of his Children, who are often found to tread too near upon the heels of their Fathers, to to the no great Satisfaction either of Son or Father. But the young Gentleman being got within view of Matrimony, tis time to leave him to his Mistress. S. 217. Tho' I am now come to a ConConclu- clufion of what obvious Remarks have fugfion. gefted to me concerning Education, I would not have it thought that I look on it as a juft Treatife on this Subject. There are a thoufand other things, that may need confideration; efpecially if one fhould take in the various Tempers, different Inclinations, and particular Defaults, that are to be found in Children; and preferibe proper Remedies. The variety is fo great, that it would require a Volume; nor would that reach it. Each Man's Mind has fome peculiarity, as well as his Face, that diftinguishes him from all others; and there are poffibly fcarce two Children, who can be conducted by exactly the fame Method. Befide that I think a Prince, a Nobleman, and an ordinary Gentleman's Son, fhould have different ways of Breeding. But having had here only fome generalViews in reference to the main End, and aims in Education, and those defigned for a Gentleman's Son, who being then very little, I confidered only as white Paper, or Wax, to be moulded and fashioned as one pleafes; I have touch'd little more than thofe Heads, which I judged neceffary for the Breeding of a young Gentleman of his Condition in general; and have now publifhed thefe my occafional Thoughts with this Hope, That tho' this be far from being a compleat Treatife on this Subject, or fuch, as that every one may find, what will juft fit his Child in it, yet it may give fome fmall light to thofe, whofe Concern for their dear little Ones makes them fo irregularly bold, that they dare venture to confult their own Reafon, in the Education of their Children, rather than wholly to rely upon Old Cuftom. L THE 1 |