An essay on the government of children, under three general heads, viz. health, manners, and educationNelson, James
History
An essay on the government of children, under three general heads, viz. health, manners, and education
Nelson, James
Child rearing -- England -- History -- 18th century
Notwithstanding what has been said on this Class, Allowances are
still to be made as Circumstances vary; and if the Plan be in general
practicable, it is all that can be expected. Education is in some measure
accidental; and it is right to embrace those Advantages which Accident
offers, provided they do not interfere with more useful Knowledge, for
then they are no Advantages. For Example: nobody should neglect their
Mother-tongue; yet if they are so situated that they can add _French_
to it, they ought by all means to do so. In the preceding Classes
_French_ is considered as a necessary Part of Education chiefly from it’s
Politeness, and the Advantage of reading _French_ Authors; but according
to the present Age it is far more useful. _French_ is now so universal,
that a Man who speaks it can do Business with whatever Foreigner comes
in his Way; or should he go abroad, he can transact his Affairs in
any Country, or on any Exchange in _Europe_. But it is still farther
necessary. _Moliere_, in one of his Comedies, introduces a Conversation,
where a Servant is accused of flattering his Master: “What can I do?
replies he: I am to please, I am to secure my Service by keeping in his
good Graces, and I have no other way of doing it: therefore, continues
he, it is not the Fault of me who flatter, but of him who will be
flattered.” So in taking a View of Life we may sometimes observe, that to
secure the Interest and Favour of the Great, the Taylor, the Milliner,
the Shoe-maker, and many others, are expected to introduce their
Modes under a _French_ Tongue. But to do justice to the Wisdom of our
Nation, this is far from being general; therefore a general and close
Application to the _French_ for the fourth Class does not seem either
necessary or practicable; because to some it would be useless, in others
it would be forgot again, and by many it would never be attained.
Another Part of Education which is oftentimes merely accidental, is
Music. If a Man plays on any Instrument, it will be delightful to him to
employ his Son’s leisure Time in giving him something of so agreeable
an Accomplishment; or if he can improve his Daughter’s Ear or Voice,
by giving her a pleasing Manner in Singing, she should not be deprived
of it; for these things make young People sprightly in themselves, and
pleasing to others. But then Care must be taken that they stop here: they
must not engage in an expensive and laborious Study of Music, unless it
is to be their Trade; nor must they be attached to it so as to neglect
other Obligations, or so as to engage them in irregular Company: and
above all, great Care must be taken that they be not tainted by that
Torrent of Corruption, bad Songs.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account