Speaking of books of Moral science in general, and their adaptation to different ages, he says--'Did not one of the _fathers_, in great indignation, call POESY "_vinum demonum_," because it increaseth _temptations_, _perturbations_, and _vain opinions_? Is not the opinion of Aristotle worthy to be regarded, wherein he saith, "That _young men_ are no fit _auditors_ of moral philosophy," because they are not settled from the boiling heat of their _affections_, nor attempered with _time_ and _experience_?' [And our Poet, we may remark in passing, seems to have been struck with that same observation; for by a happy coincidence, he appears to have it in his commonplace book too, and he has not only made a note of it, as this one has, but has taken the trouble to translate it into verse. He does, indeed, go a little out of his way _in time_, to introduce it; but he is a poet who is fond of an anachronism, when it happens to serve his purpose-- 'Paris and Troilus, you have both said well; And on the cause and question now in hand Have _glozed_; but, superficially, not much Unlike _young men_ whom _Aristotle_ thought Unfit to hear _moral philosophy_.'] The question is, then, as to the adaptations of forms, of moral instruction to different _ages_ of the human development. For when a decided want of 'honesty of life' shows itself, in any very general manner, under the fullest operation of _any_ given doctrine which is the received one, it is time for men of learning to begin to look about them a little; and it is a time when directions so cautious as these should not by any means be despised by those on whom the responsibility of direction, here, is in any way devolved. 'And doth it not hereof come, that those excellent books and discourses of the ancient writers, _whereby_ they have _persuaded unto virtue most effectually_, by representing her in _state_ and _majesty_, and popular opinions against virtue in their _parasites' coats_, fit to be scorned and derided, are of so little effect towards honesty of life-- [_Polonius.--Honest_, my lord? _Hamlet_.--Ay, honest.] '--because they are not read and _revolved_ by men, in their mature and settled years, but confined almost _to boys and beginners_? But is it not true, also, that _much less_ young men are fit auditors of _matters of policy_ till they have been _thoroughly seasoned_ in _religion and morality_, lest their judgments be corrupted, and made apt to think that there are no true differences of things, but according to utility and fortune.'