Nobility, without virtue, is a fine setting with out a gem. But when they are united, it is then that we pay "that proud submission, that dignified obedience, that subordination of the heart, which keeps alive, even in servitude itself, the spirit of an exalted freedom.”

EDUCATION AND STUDY.

1.

As the fertilest ground must be manured; so must the highest flying wit have a Dædalus to guide him.

2.

This purifying of wit, this enriching of memory, enabling of judgment, and enlarging of conceit, which commonly we call learning; under what name soever it come forth, or to what immediate end soever it be directed, the final end is, to lead and draw us to as high perfection as our degenerate souls (made worse

by their clay lodgings) can be capable of.. This, according to the inclinations of man, bred many-formed impressions: for some that thought this felicity principally to be gotten by knowledge, and no knowledge to be so high or heavenly as to be acquainted with the stars, gave themselves to astronomy: others, persuading themselves to be demi-gods, if they knew the causes of things, became natural and supernatural philosophers: some, an admirable delight, drew to music: and some, the certainty of demonstrations, to the mathematics: but all, one and other, having this scope, TO KNOW, and by knowledge to lift up the mind from the dungeon of the body, to the enjoying of its own divine essence. when, by the balance of experience, it was found that the astronomer, looking to the stars, might fall into a ditch; that the inquiring philosopher might be blind to himself; and the mathematician might draw forth a strait line, with a crooked heart ;-then, lo! did Proof, the over-ruler of opinions, make manifest that all these are but serving sciences; which, as they are all directed to the

But

highest aim of the mistress-knowledge, KNOWLEDGE OF A MAN'S SELF, in the ethic and politic consideration; with the end of well-doing, and not of well-knowing only: so the ending end of all earthly learning, being virtuous action, those skills that most serve to bring forth that, have a most just title to be princes over the rest.

3.

Until men find a pleasure in the exercise of the mind, great promises of much knowledge, will little persuade them that know not the fruits of knowledge.

4.

It is manifest, that all government of action is to be gotten by knowledge; and knowledge, best, by gathering many knowledges, which is reading.

5.

Alexander received more bravery of mind, by the pattern of Achilles, than by hearing the definition of fortitude.

6.

Each excellent thing, once well-learned, ́ serves for a measure of all other knowledges.

7

The mind itself must (like other things) sometimes be unbent; or else, it will be either weakened or broken.

Remark.

The first proposition in this plan of education, declares the arrogance of that mind which fancies that, by its own unassisted means, it can become wise unto perfection. It might reasonably be supposed, that none other than the silliest persons could conceive so absurd an opinion; but we see men of the greatest talents fall into this mistake, and allege in support of it, the omniscient power of genius. A mind of extraordinary capacity and force, is seldom without a proportionate imagination; this faculty, set to work by vanity, forms a thousand wild chimeras; and, charmed with the effects of its own incantations, believes that the phantoms which people its fool's paradise, are the real substances of an all-wise creation. When we consider the presumption of this pride of intellect, and

the offensiveness of such a domineering disposition, (for a strong mind, untempered by discipline, is the most dogmatical of all minds) it is surprising that self-love, if not justice, should allow the rest of mankind to pay more homage to talents than to virtue. Why is this? Surely, neither writing greatly nor talking greatly, is doing greatly! It may be said, that abilities are the germs of future greatness, and, as the embryo of such a plant, they ought to be valued. But then, let them be valued as the seed only, and not as the blossom.

The soul, or rather, the supreme sense of right, the dictator of all these abilities, is the sun which must expand them into use and beauty; for, when we speak of mere abilities, we name what may make a man a great general, a great lawyer, or any other professional excellence; but they alone cannot make him a great man. Abilities may be referred to the intellect, and they may indeed produce vulgar greatness; but in this there is nothing solid or valuable. True greatness must be achieved by the soul, who commands the energies of the mind, as generals do their soldiers.