AS a _Lamb_ sucking a _Goat_, changes not only its _Nature_, but even its _Skin_ and _Wool_ into the GOAT-_Kind_; so it is also among the _rational Creatures_: From hence we have justly the _old Proverb_, touching an _ill-natured Person_, that some _Brute_ or other has been his _NURSE_. And hence it is that _Romulus_ and _Remus_, the Sons of MARS (without any Reality) are said to have been nursed by a WOLF[182]; _Pelias_, the Son of _Neptune_, by a MARE; _Telephus_, the Son of _Hercules_, by a HIND, &c. Not that they ever actually sucked such _Creatures_, only their _NURSES_ were of such _Tempers_ and _Natures_, which they were thus supposed to have by the BREAST infused into them. AND, in short, daily _Experience_, as well as many _Learned Authorities_, may sufficiently convince us, that CHILDREN really _suck_ in the several _vitious Inclinations_ and _depraved Passions_ of their _NURSES_; such as _Anger_, _Malice_, _Fear_, _Melancholy_, &c. Agreeable to which Opinion, _Diodorus_ says[183], that _Nero_ the Emperor’s _NURSE_ was very much addicted to _Drinking_; which Habit _Nero_ imbibed from _her_, to such a Degree, that the People took notice of it, and from thence instead of CLAUDIUS TIBERIUS NERO, call’d him _Caldius Biberius Mero_. The same Author relates of _Caligula_, that his _NURSE_ used frequently to moisten her _Nipples_ with BLOOD, that he might take the better hold of them; which (says the same _Diodorus_) was the _Cause_ of his being so cruel and _Blood-thirsty_ all the Days of his Life; that he not only committed frequent _Murders_ by his own Hand, but even wished that all humane Race was but one NECK, that he might have the pleasure to _cut it off_. IN short, _honest Parents_ perceiving their _Children_ to incline variously, _one_ to _Thieving_, _another_ to _Drinking_; _one_ to _Stupidity_, _another_ to _Barbarity_; are amazed at such _Degeneracies_ of Mankind, not knowing after whom the _Child_ can take those Propensions. But abstracting from _this_, how many fine _Children_ do we daily see thrown into _Fits_, _Rickets_, _Consumptions_, &c. merely by _sucking_ their imprudent _NURSES_, when enraged, or otherways in a Passion? If then the _Case_ stands thus, that every _Disorder_ of the _NURSE_ is a real _Detriment_ to the _INFANT_, surely, upon this Account, all _Parents_ ought to know HER well, to whom they entrust these _Dear Pledges_ of their sacred and natural Desires.