The Educational Writings of Richard MulcasterMulcaster, Richard
History
The Educational Writings of Richard Mulcaster
Mulcaster, Richard
Education -- History
I will now consider what kinds of talent and disposition are,
even from infancy, to be thought most fitting to serve the State
in the matter of learning. Often those who give least promise at
first turn out most suitable in the end; wherefore the absolute
rejection of any, before maturity is reached, not only does an
injury to those who are rejected, but would be an evidence of
rashness in those who reject. For the variety is very great, though
where certainty is impossible preference must be given to the
most likely. In the qualities that give promise of good service
when learning has been gained, there are commonly reckoned an
honourable disposition, zeal for moral virtue, and the desire to
benefit society without thought of personal profit. There must
also be taken into account the shrewdness of intelligence which
will not be easily deceived nor diverted from a right opinion,
either by the influence of feeling in themselves or the strength
of persuasion in others. And generally whatever virtue gives
proof of a good man and a good citizen must be held of value, so
that the learner should show capability and discretion in matters
of learning, and towardness and constancy in matters of living.
All this refers to free men who can secure independently the
opportunities of learning, yet provision is to be made for those
of good natural intelligence who need some help. There are three
kinds of government--Monarchy, Oligarchy, and Democracy, each
of which demands a different type of citizen and scholar. That
child is likely in later years to prove the fittest subject for
learning in a _Monarchy_ who at a tender age shows himself obedient
to the rules of the School, and, if he should offend, takes his
punishment gently, without complaining or taking affront. In
behaviour towards his companions he is gentle and courteous,
without wrangling or complaining. He will lend a helping hand, and
use every persuasion rather than have either his teacher disquieted
or his school-fellows punished. And, therefore, either he receives
similar courtesy from his school-fellows, or whoever shows him any
discourtesy must be prepared for challenge and combat with all
the rest. If he has any natural capacity in which he excels his
companions, it will be so well regulated and show itself with such
modesty that it shall appear in no way upsetting or over-ambitious.
At home he will be so deferential to his parents, so courteous
among servants, so dutiful toward all with whom he has to deal,
that there will be contention who can praise him most behind
his back, and who can cherish him most before his face. These
qualities will not be easily discerned till the child is either
in the Grammar School by regular but not premature advancement,
or at least upon his passage from the completed course of the
Elementary School, because his age by that time, and his progress
under regulation, will make it possible in some degree to perceive
his inclination.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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