Benjamin Franklin : $b Representative selections, with introduction, bibliograpy, and notesFranklin, Benjamin
General
Benjamin Franklin : $b Representative selections, with introduction, bibliograpy, and notes
Franklin, Benjamin
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
All should be taught to write a _fair Hand_, and swift, as that is
useful to All. And with it may be learnt something of _Drawing_, by
Imitation of Prints, and some of the first Principles of Perspective.
_Arithmetick_, _Accounts_, and some of the first Principles of
_Geometry_ and _Astronomy_.
The _English_ Language might be taught by Grammar; in which some of our
best Writers, as _Tillotson_, _Addison_, _Pope_, _Algernoon Sidney_,
_Cato's Letters_, &c; should be Classicks: the _Stiles_ principally to
be cultivated, being the _clear_ and the _concise_. Reading should also
be taught, and pronouncing, properly, distinctly, emphatically; not with
an even Tone, which _under-does_, nor a theatrical, which _over-does_
Nature.
To form their Stile they should be put on Writing Letters to each other,
making Abstracts of what they read; or writing the same Things in their
own Words; telling or writing Stories lately read, in their own
Expressions. All to be revis'd and corrected by the Tutor, who should
give his Reasons, and explain the Force and Import of Words, &c.
To form their Pronunciation, they may be put on making Declamations,
repeating Speeches, delivering Orations, &c.; The Tutor assisting at the
Rehearsals, teaching, advising, correcting their Accent, &c.
But if History be made a constant Part of their Reading, such as the
Translations of the _Greek_ and _Roman_ Historians, and the modern
Histories of ancient _Greece_ and _Rome_, &c. may not almost all Kinds
of useful Knowledge be that Way introduc'd to Advantage, and with
Pleasure to the Student? As
GEOGRAPHY, by reading with Maps, and being required to point out the
Places _where_ the greatest Actions were done, to give their old and new
Names, with the Bounds, Situation, Extent of the Countries concern'd,
&c.
CHRONOLOGY, by the Help of _Helvicus_ or some other Writer of the Kind,
who will enable them to tell _when_ those Events happened; what Princes
were Cotemporaries, what States or famous Men flourish'd about that
Time, &c. The several principal Epochas to be first well fix'd in their
Memories.
ANTIENT CUSTOMS, religious and civil, being frequently mentioned in
History, will give Occasion for explaining them; in which the Prints of
Medals, Basso-Relievos, and antient Monuments will greatly assist.
MORALITY, by descanting and making continual Observations on the Causes
of the Rise or Fall of any Man's Character, Fortune, Power &c. mention'd
in History; the Advantages of Temperance, Order, Frugality, Industry,
Perseverance &c., &c. Indeed the general natural Tendency of Reading
good History must be, to fix in the Minds of Youth deep Impressions of
the Beauty and Usefulness of Virtue of all Kinds, Publick Spirit,
Fortitude, &c.
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