The mines of knowledge are oft laid bare through the forked hazel wand of chance, And in a mountain of quartz we find a grain of gold. Of a truth, it were well to know all things, and to learn them all at once, And what, though mortal insufficiency attain to small knowledge of any? Man loveth exclusions, delighting in the sterile trodden path, While the broad green meadow is jewelled with wild flowers: And whether is it better with the many to follow a beaten track, Or by eccentric wanderings to cull unheeded sweets? When his reason yieldeth fruit, make thy child thy friend; For a filial friend is a double gain, a diamond set in gold. As an infant, thy mandate was enough, but now let him see thy reasons; Confide in him, but with discretion: and bend a willing ear to his questions. More to thee than to all beside, let him owe good counsel and good guidance; Let him feel his pursuits have an interest, more to thee than to all beside. Watch his native capacities; nourish that which suiteth him the readiest; And cultivate early those good inclinations wherein thou fearest he is most lacking: Is he phlegmatic and desponding? let small successes comfort his hope: Is he obstinate and sanguine? let petty crosses accustom him to life: Showeth he a sordid spirit? be quick, and teach him generosity: Inclineth he to liberal excess? prove to him how hard it is to earn. Gather to thy hearth such friends as are worthy of honour and attention; For the company a man chooseth is a visible index of his heart: But let not the pastor whom thou hearest be too much a familiar in thy house, For thy children may see his infirmities, and learn to cavil at his teaching. It is well to take hold on occasions, and render indirect instruction; It is better to teach upon a system, and reap the wisdom of books: The history of nations yieldeth grand outlines: of persons, minute details: Poetry is polish to the mind, and high abstractions cleanse it. Consider the station of thy son, and breed him to his fortune with judgment: The rich may profit in much which would bring small advantage to the poor. But with all thy care for thy son, with all thy strivings for his welfare, Expect disappointment, and look for pain: for he is of an evil stock, and will grieve thee. [Illustration] OF TOLERANCE. [Illustration: "A"]