which I am sensible is but small, and I am sorry for it; but, such as it is, I entirely dedicate and consecrate it to you. It will give me the highest satisfaction, if it can be of any service to you; but how would it grieve me, if, by misunderstanding my discourse, you should be hurt instead of being benefited by it. Take care therefore, virtuous youths; my design was to shew the dangers of an obstinate perseverance in study; but I was quite silent with regard to the use of polite learning, _which[51] nourishes youth, delights old age, adorns prosperity, affords consolation in adversity, delights at home, is no hindrance abroad, passes the night with us, travels with us, accompanies us into the country_. I have proved by examples, how dangerous it is to fatigue the minds of children with too great labour; but it was not my intention to banish all labour and study. “Nam certe quamlibet parum sit, quod contulerit ætas prior, majora tamen aliqua discet puer eo ipso anno, quo minora didicisset. Hoc per singulos annos prorogatum in summam proficit: & quantum in infantia præsumptum est temporis, adolescentiæ acquiritur[52].” “For though what is contributed by the first age of life is but inconsiderable, a boy will certainly learn some things of consequence in the very year that he learns trifles. This, increasing every year, will at last improve him, and what is learned in infancy is an acquisition to youth.” It is dangerous to break upon the rocks of too great learning; it is shameful to be wrecked upon the opposite shore. What path then must you tread? _Hac urget lupus, hac canis angit._ _On one side the wolf urges, on t’other the dog worries us._ You will be safe in the middle path, always remembering that sentence of your favourite HORACE: _Est modus in rebus sunt certi denique fines,_ _Quos ultra citraque nequit consistere rectum._ _Some certain mean in all things may be found,_ _To mark our virtue, and our vices bound._ FRANCIS’S Horace, lib. I. sat. I. FOOTNOTES