The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 06 (of 11) — Thomas Hobbes — John Shaqi
The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, Volume 06 (of 11)
Thomas Hobbes · en
_A._ It may be, the Parliament thought otherwise. For I have often heard
the complaints of parents, that their children were debauched there to
drunkenness, wantonness, gaming, and other vices consequent to these.
Nor is it a wonder amongst so many youths, if they did corrupt one
another in despite of their tutors, who oftentimes were little elder
than themselves. And therefore I think the Parliament did not much
reverence that institution of universities, as to the bringing up of
young men to virtue; though many of them learned there to preach, and
became thereby capable of preferment and maintenance; and some others
were sent thither by their parents, to save themselves the trouble of
governing them at home, during that time wherein children are least
governable. Nor do I think the Parliament cared more for the clergy than
other men did. But certainly an university is an excellent servant to
the clergy; and the clergy, if it be not carefully looked to, by their
dissensions in doctrines and by the advantage to publish their
dissensions, is an excellent means to divide a kingdom into factions.
_B._ But seeing there is no place in this part of the world, where
philosophy and other human sciences are not highly valued; where can
they be learned better than in the Universities?
_A._ What other sciences? Do not divines comprehend all civil and moral
philosophy within their divinity? And as for natural philosophy, is it
not removed from Oxford and Cambridge to Gresham College in London, and
to be learned out of their gazettes? But we are gone from our subject.
_B._ No; we are indeed gone from the greater businesses of the kingdom;
to which, if you please, let us return.
_A._ The first insurrection, or rather tumult, was that of the
apprentices, on the 9th of April. But this was not upon the King’s
account, but arose from a customary assembly of them for recreation in
Moorfields, whence some zealous officers of the trained soldiers would
needs drive them away by force; but were themselves routed with stones;
and had their ensign taken away by the apprentices, which they carried
about in the streets, and frighted the lord mayor into his house; where
they took a gun called a drake; and then they set guards at some of the
gates, and all the rest of the day childishly swaggered up and down: but
the next day the general himself marching into the city, quickly
dispersed them. This was but a small business, but enough to let them
see that the Parliament was ill-beloved of the people.
Next, the Welch took arms against them. There were three colonels in
Wales, Langhorne, Poyer, and Powel, who had formerly done the Parliament
good service, but now were commanded to disband; which they refused to
do; and the better to strengthen themselves, declared for the King; and
were about 8,000.