The fifth Discourse.

SUch as haue noted the singularities of *France, among the rest haue set downe that parte of the Nobilitie giuen to iu∣stice and valiauncie, wherewith it hath alwaies bene adorned, not to bee the least, wherein they haue had reason. For if wée consider the tymes past wee shal by the apparant effects which from age to age haue appeared, perceiue that out of this great stocke haue procéeded such excellent men as haue greatly profited and stoode their Coun∣trie in steade. But as all that hath bene is subiect to varietie and chaunge, so hath it fallen out that the most parte of those that haue succeeded in their auncestors goodes, haue not neuerthelesse inhe∣rited their vertue: but rather being halfe buryed in common cor∣ruption, are degenerate and gone astraye from the auncient ma∣ners, whereby is greatly deminished the commendation and good reputation in olde tyme attributed, as well in generall as perticu∣ler, to those that beare so fayre a title.

Now, if wee shall seeke the causes that haue engendred so ma∣ny imperfections in this vniuersall bodie, wee shall finde that the most notable hath bene their small care to see their young Chil∣dren well instructed in honest discipline, though withall I suppose that some haue likewise erred in weening to atteyne thereto, whereof it hath ensued that the beginning being bad, that which hath bene added hath bene of the same.

If the Parents for their excuse doe alleadge that therein they haue followed the custome: that will not iustifie them, considering that in so necessarie occasions they ought to bée directed by the in∣structions of the wise, who did so greatly accompt of this, that to the ende the posteritie should remember it, they haue treated ve∣ry Page  72 largely thereof in the most parte of their bookes that they haue left vs. I knowe well enough that naturally euery man hath a certaine inward motion to keepe and exalt that which he hath be∣gotten, but when this affection is 〈…〉lpen and guided by learning, it may better atteyne to the desired purpose. And therfore it is not amisse briefly to heare the opinions of the auncient Philosophers and Lawgiuers, to the end this iudgement being confirmed, wee may afterward be the better disposed to doe that which shall be re∣quisite.

All the most renowmed Philosophers as Licurgus, Socrates,*Plato, Aristotle, Xenophon and P•utarke doe affirme that the negligence in the well instructing of youth doth corrupt Common welths, also that the vices which in youth are rooted in them can hardly be corrected. Whereas contrariwise when vertue doth in tyme take place, it afterward fructifieth wonderfully. They also not only blame the fathers that through couetousnesse, sloth or ig∣norance do deny their children that good bringing vp that they owe them, but likewise haue an euill opinion of those Commonwelths that want order and discipline for the instruction of youth. Yea and they further alleadge that the best natures wanting good bringing vp, doe growe very pernitious, likewise that they cannot in age be crowned with honor, if in youth they neuer learned to walke in the path of vertue. To bee briefe, they all are of opinion that as Plants and Trees for want of husbandrie and proyning do grow wilde, so youth if it bee not polished by good customes doe waxe rude and vitious. This in briefe is one small morsell of the instruc∣tions by them left in generall as well to the Parents as Magi∣strates: to exhort and stirre them vp diligently to see youth brought vp and instructed in all honest discipline. But what neede we seeke so great proofes and confirmation hereof sith no man calleth it in doubt? Rather ought wee to declare how wee should proceede in this bringing vp, to cause it to fructifie in the beautifull actions of vertue. Herein likewise it is requisite to helpe our selues with the doctrine of the same Philosophers, who haue so well discour∣sed vpon euery thing that belongeth to all partes of ciuill life that (the heauenly precepts onely excepted) it is vnpossible to deuise any better direction. I will therefore here set downe some say∣ings out of Plutarke to this purpose. There is nothing, saith he, *that bringeth so soone to vertue and maketh a man happie, as good instructions, in respect whereof all other goodes whatsoeuer are but Page  73 small. Nobilitie is a goodly matter: but it is but a benefite of our aun∣cestors. Ritehes are most precious, but they consist in the power of fortune: Glorie is reuerent, but vncertaine and chaungeable: Health is pretious: but subiect to chaunge. Contrariwise, knowledge is the onely deuine and immortall qualitie in vs. For there are in mans na∣ture two principall partes, vnderstanding and speech, whereof vnder∣standing is as it were the maister that commaundeth, and speech the seruant that obeyeth, but this vnderstanding is neuer habandoned to fortune. It cannot bee taken away by s•launder, corrupted by sick∣nesse, nor wasted by age, because it only waxeth young in age. Warre which as a vyolent streame taketh away and scattereth all things, can not carie away knowledge. Also the aunswer that Stilpon the Me∣garian made when Demetrius hauing taken the towne of Megara, demaunded whether he had lost any thing of his: saying, No, for warre cannot take away vertue, deserueth remembraunce. Here∣by may wee knowe the inestimable benefite that proceedeth of good bringing vp, which although it bee most necessarie, yet are there other thinges, that as saith the same Author, must concurre therewith to make a young man perfect in vertue. Now he na∣meth three, Nature, Reason and Vse. By Nature, he meaneth inclination: by Reason, doctrine of precepts: and by Vse, exercise. The beginning, sayth he, doth come to vs by nature: the encrease, by the precepts of reason: and the accomplishment, by vse and exercise: And the tyme of perfection, by all there conioyned. If there bee defect in any of these three partes, nature must bee of force therein defectiue and deminished. For Nature without doctrine and nurture is blinde, Doctrine without nature is de∣fectiue, and Use without the two former is vnperfect. This in∣struction ought well to bee noted, as conteyning the principall matters that Parentes are to consider in the fashioning and dis∣posing of their Children to vertue. And although they can not bee alwaies founde so well together as a man would wish, yet should not that discourage them from proceeding to approach to the best and eschue the worst.

Some Parents there are whose Children they finde to bee of * so lumpish and heauie a nature, that they thinke it but lost labour to goe about to teach them the things that they presume they can neuer learne. But herein doe they erre, for vpon those that want the power of nature is most arte and labour to be employed, there with to supplye the first defectes: so sometymes in tyme the one Page  74 amendeth by the other. Experience daylie teacheth vs that when a Horsekeeper is disposed to take paines, he doth in one yeere so forme and teach, euen a great carte Horse, that he maketh him shewe some actiuitie and become profitable in certaine péeces of seruice: Is there lesse hope then to bee conceiued of a young childe? Who although he haue some naturall imperfections (wee meane not such as may hinder the principall actions of either the minde or bodie) yet with continuall exercise may bee brought into frame to learne sufficient ciuilitie to keepe himselfe from disho∣noring his Parentes. Likewise in doctrine and nurture I will here note another error that often happeneth and Plutarke repro∣ueth: There are now, sayth he, some Parents, who through want of experience doe commit their children to such maisters as falsely pro∣fesse*themselues to bee that which they are not: sometymes also they knowe the insufficiencie of such maisters and yet will put them in trust, therein imitating the sicke man, who refusing the skilfull Phi∣sition reposeth himselfe vpon such a one as by ignorance killeth him. Others there are also who through couetousnesse for sparing a little wages, doe choose simple maisters, therein seeking a good penyworth of ignorance. Uppon which saying, Aristippus on a tyme iested with such a father: For when this father asked him what hee would take to teach and instruct his sonne: he aunswered, a hun∣dred Crownes: A hundred Crownes, quoth the father, O Her∣cules•! that is much, Why! I can buy a good slaue for a hundred Crownes. True sayd Aristippus, and so thou maiest haue two slaues: Thy sonne and him whome thou hast bought. Truely that father is very vnwise, that trauaileth continually to gather much goodes, and yet will denye a small parte thereof for the instructing of those that must one day possesse them. But what commeth of this ni∣gardlinesse? After his death they prodigally wast that, which with so greate labour hee hath gathered together: or els become ex∣treame couetous for lacke of good teaching how to vse ritches. But those men are to bée moaned, who hauing many Children and being poore cannot satisfie their desire to haue them well in∣structed, but are forced to put them some here and some there into other mens handes, where they may bee in daunger of euill example: Albeit thereof they are to haue an especiall care, that they mistake not: but of that wée will speake more at large in an other place.

Youth likewise doe faile in that which concerneth the vse and *Page  75 exercise of the good things that they haue begunne to learne: for when they should put them in practise, to the ende to settle a good foundation in them, they growe carelesse, or suffer themselues to bée led away by the force of vitious affections, which striue to suppresse in them the rudiments of doctrine and vertue. Then therefore is the tyme that Parents should especially beware of discontinuance from that which cannot bée formed in them with∣out continuance. A man when he hath planted a tree, is very care∣full to proyne and looke to it vntill it hath brought foorth fruite, and then is he satisfied in that he seeth it is not barren, neither his labour lost.

The like care is to bee had of young Children; for to the ende to bée assured that they haue profited, wée must first see most eui∣dent testimonies, and then is the care the lesse. Oh how happie are the Children whose fathers, euen from the cradle, are so fauou∣rable as neuer to cease their instructions vntill the yéeres of discre∣tion: to the ende their mindes and handes haue no lesse perfection then their bodies growth, force and health? For sith the conduct of their life is afterward to bée grounded vppon themselues, it is very requisite to procure that the foundation bée good. Thus much in generall briefly what is, after the doctrine of Plutarke, to be ob∣serued in the instruction of youth.

Now must wee see the maner how the French gentrie doe be∣haue * themselues in the nurturing thereof, so to knowe wherein they doe ill and wherein well. Then to shewe what may be ad∣ded, for the establishing of a better order then any that yet is vsed in so necessarie a matter. But before wee speake of those that herein doe shewe their good affection to their Children, I must say somewhat of the others that doe but little or not at all discharge their dueties therein. Truely those bee such people as would bee sent to schoole among beastes, to the ende by their example to learne to haue more care of that which themselues haue engendered: for when they shall see with how vehement loue the brute beastes doe kéepe and nourish their young ones, they must bée very sencelesse if they bée nothing mooued therewith. Many fathers there are that thinke the greatest bondes wherein their Children bee espe∣cially bound vnto them, doe consist in that they haue begotten and fedde them. Neither is it to bée denyed but that the same bee very great, neuerthelesse one more there is which must not bée for∣gotten, and is no lesse to bée confessed, namely, instruction in pietie Page  76 and vertue. For of this benefite is man onely participate, where all other benefites are common also to beastes. Man is borne to a better ende then to liue, that is, to liue well: and that must he bee taught to doe, sith he hath reason to comprehende it. And therein also doth fatherly loue manifest it selfe, and childlike duetie en∣crease. But many fathers doe fayle herein through ignoraunce, contenting themselues with kéeping their Children at home, clo∣thing them and giuing them their fill of meate and drinke, as if they were to care for their bodies onely: And the cause of this retchlesnesse proceedeth of their owne ill bringing vp in their youth. Others there are whose heartes are possessed with such extreame auarice, that they are so farre from being wil∣ling to spende some one crowne vpon the teaching of their chil∣dren, that they euen thinke to haue done much for them, if they giue them foode: therein shewing themselues vnworthie of issue.

The Lacedemonians had a law, whereby those Children were discharged from relieuing such Parentes in their age, as were carelesse in seeing them instructed in their youth: which they or∣deyned to the ende to make them more readie to fulfill the pre∣cepts of nature, as being assured that he which denyeth his childe instruction and correction, leaueth him to bee a pray to vice which afterward draweth him to destruction.

Other fathers there are so fondly minded as to weene that there commeth but small profite of putting their Children to Schoole, thinking it enough for them to bee able to write and reade a little. One shall bee so great a Huntseman, that all his delight shall bee in Houndes and Forrestes. An other, a qua∣reller with his neighbours, and rough to his subiects: One that shall allowe of no other kinde of life, but to bee lustie in his house: An other altogether giuen to suites and lawe, as thinking no∣thing more conuenient for him then to encrease his state with subtelties and barreting guiles. To bee briefe, euery one louing his profession would that his children should take the same course, whereby to bee like to himselfe, as if he were ashamed that they should passe him in the knowledge of vertue. Thus doe the false shewes of pleasure, profite, and honor abuse men, and binde and re∣strayne them to the same obiect whereto euill custome hath made them most to encline.

Now let vs speake somewhat of those whose willes are good to Page  77 haue their children taught, and thereto doe employe themselues, and yet cannot alwaies atteyne to their desired purpose. Of those some deceiue themselues, others are abused by the degenerating of customes. Concerning the first, they are easely satisfied with a * fewe outward beautifull demonstrations that they happe to see in their children, and neuer seeke further but thereby to iudge that they haue well profited, which they haue not done, in that their in∣ward man, that should be especially looked vnto, is not well orde∣red.

The seconde imagining that good examples should alwaies shine in Princes Courtes, forreine Countries, or warres, do very inconsideratly cast their young seede into those fieldes which they thinke to bee fruitfull. But experience teacheth them that many tymes reporte is a lyer, and many graines are quite lost. Howbeit, the better to lay open this matter, we are to vnderstand that those French Gentlemen that loue vertue and honour, so soone as their children bee of age able to trauaile abroade, doe ordinarily sende them foorth to learne that which at home they cannot. And their maner is either to make them Pages to Princes and Lordes: ei∣ther to put them among the Princes footmen, either to sende them into Italie or Germanie, either els to commit them to the Uni∣uersities: all which are fit meanes to instruct them in ciuilitie, warfare, learning, or knowledge of •ongues, whereby men climbe to honour, ritches and vertue. And sith there are no other ordina∣rie waies but those, men are constrayned to take them; yea and they are to be commended, who led by a good desire doe so trayne vp their Children: But as in all places the corruption of ma∣ners is greate, so without especiall good heede wee finde that thinking to gather Honey, they bring home nothing but Gall.

First for those that become Pages. It may be sayd that going * into diuers Courtes they see many gay things, as Tryumphes, Feastes, Combats, &c. They learne to apparell themselues hand▪ somely: to speake according to the diuers qualities of persons: and to order their gestures. They doe moreouer see many honest exercises: but it is to bée doubled that they doe not so well beare away those things, as they priu• in their mindes other bad fashi∣ons which abound in the sayd Courtes, whereto also their age is enclined. For they go〈…〉e dissolute in spéeches, incontinent in deedes, blasphemers of GOD, and aboue all, scorners and iniu∣rious, Page  78 and finally most expert in lying and working a thousand de∣ceipts. But some will say that their Maisters and their Esquires haue an eye to them, yea but too faintly. And when the sayd Pages are growne a little craftie so as they can couer their mallice, and with all that they haue atteyned some small derteritie in any other matter, their hidden vices will not appeare vntill the snme haue ta∣ken sure roote. But if any Lords haue a more watchfull eye to cor∣rect, it is much if there be two of the sixe: so farre are we growne to neglect the true care that wee ought to haue of youth. The onely remedie therefore to bee vsed herein is, first that parents suffer not themselues to be so bliuded with a vaine opinion of greatnesse that they couer rather to place their children in the seruice of a Prince, where is but small good rule, then in the house of a Lord or Gentle∣men that will haue a rare to instruct them in all honestie. Second∣ly, that if they may, they sometymes looke to them, to the ende to iudge of their corruption or amendement, and according as they fiude to take them home, or leaue them still abroade. And thirdly, not to suffer them to bée Pages aboue fower or fiue yéeres, then to kéepe them at home a while, so to make them forget whatsoeuer had they shall haue learned, and to confirme them in vertuous be∣hauour, before they settle thē in any vocation wherein to continue.

Many there that are sent to the regiments of footemen, and they goe thether at fiftéene, sixtéene, or seuentéene yeres of age. In * tyme past being a little elder they were made archers in the bandes of Ordinaunce, and then did all those companies consist of Gentrie onely, and the Capteynes had a care to kéepe them in good order. As also many went into the bands of footment of Piedmont, who had most excellent orders. Contrariwise, now that discipline is re∣uersed euen among the footemenl it is perillous for the instruction of youth. For hauing for the most part none but vnthriftes to their maisters, euill examples doe in tyme drawe them into disorder, and in liew of fashioning them bring them quite out of fashion. And to what purpose is it to learne to discharge a Péece, to knows what warding, sentin•ll, or skirmish doe meane, and to shewe the braue countenaunce of a So〈…〉ier, if in counterchaunge herof they ha∣bandon themselues to Sundrie •i•es: among which, blaspheming of God, quarelling with friends, playing away all euen to the shert, filthie lust after Harlots, and for the fulfilling of all disorder, an vnbridled libertie to •eate, robbe and deuoure the people with∣out compassion, doe beare the greatest sway. These abuses doe the Page  79 most part of our footmen commit, except it bee peraduenture some olde regiment and auncient garrison that liue in better discipline. The best remedies therefore for parents in this necessarie euill, is, not to sende their children alone, neither to suffer to enroule them selues in the first companie that they list to choose, but to hearken whether any of their neighbours will likewise send theirs, and so to ioyne thrée or fower of them together as it were sworne compa∣nions, with prohibition, the one not to leaue the other. For being so together, shame will restrayne them from euill, and withall they shall still succour one another in their necessities, if besides their fa∣thers be acquainted with any honorable Capteyne, they should di∣rect them to him, with earnest request to haue a care to rep〈…〉ue them when they doe amisse.

Some there are lik•wise that take vpon them to trauayle into * forreine countries, vpon a certeyne conceiued opinion that others drugges are better then those of their owne land: Others also doe allowe thereof in respect of the learning of common languages, seruing to communication with straungers. Such as trauaile into Germanie where the customes and behauiours doe farre differ from ours, at their returne are found to be dull and rude, so that for the refyning of them againe their parents must send them into o∣ther places, wherof ariseth double labour, double tyme and double charges. And it doth oftentymes come to passe, that some hauing bene brought vp in the grosse maners of Germanie, and then re∣turning to finde the vnbridled libertie of France; doe so vnconside∣ratly flye vpon it that they stray out of the right course. And as for the voyadges into Italie, there be more that vndertake them, espe∣cially to bee instructed in many honest exercises which doe there a∣bound. But among those Roses they méete with many Thornes, because that a thousand baytes of lust being as it were sowne in the goodliest townes, youth which is desirous of noueltie and fierie in affection cannot be kept from going to taste, yea euen to glut it selfe with these sweete poysons, and so by continuance doe become most indurate therein. Thus is the habitation of Italie to those that applye themselues to goodnesse more profitable, and to those that applye themselues to lewdnesse hurtfull and worse then that of Germanie. But what counsell is to be giuen or remedie to be prouided against these inconueniences? The fittest is to sende the younger sorte, whose maners are not yet formed, into Germanie where simplicitie doth take most place, and let the others that are Page  80 alreadie any whit grounded in godlinesse or loue of honestie, goe into Italie, notwithstanding the prouerbe: That neuer good horse nor bad man amended by going to Rome. This likewise must Pa∣rents yet note, that they keepe them not there aboue two yéeres, so to be the more assured that forreine wickednesse take not so déepe roote but that it may easely be plucked vp againe.

Now doth it rest that I speake of studie in famous Uniuersi∣ties, * whether many Gentlemen doe send their Children to bee in∣structed in learning▪ which also they the rather doe because the life that they there leade is somewhat better ordered then in the afore∣name〈…〉 places, where much vanitie is learned as well as ciuilitie. They perswade themselues, and not without reason, that the liberall Sciences are a great ornament to Nobilitie, and maketh it more worthie to administer all publique functions: which is the cause that they seeke to haue them at the first watered with so good liquour. Howbeit this notwithstanding, among many that there spend their youth, fewe doe reape any great profite: which procée∣deth of that that the fathers doe take them away so soone, euen at the tyme that they begin with iudgement and discourse to attaine to the depth and consideration of the excellencie of Sciences. And in my opinion, the chiefe cause that leadeth Parents so to doe, is for that they see that Ecclesiasticall promotions are not giuen to the learned, but to those that can best court the Cardinals and Bi∣shops, or the Kings fauourites: and the offices of Iustice in liewe of being conferred to the best deseruer, are sould to him that hath most money. This considered, and likewise perceiuing that the greatest honors are gotten with the sword, they will haue their children betymes to accustome themselues to Armes. And peraduenture they are not herein altogether inexcusable. One thing more there is that bringeth them out of taste with keeping them long to studie. That is, that when they come to consider the countenances and simple and vnpolished fashions of Schollers in respect of the ciuilities, courtesies and dexterities of those young Gentlemen that haue made but two iourneys to the Court, they thinke that their children shall neuer come tyme enough: who also for their partes neede no great force to fetch them from the Col∣ledge: because the inclination to libertie, together with so many fayre bragges, whereat they leuell a farre of, which also the world presenteth to their viewe, maketh thē but too desirous to get foorth.

I will not speake of the delayes made in Colledges in the tea∣ching

Page  71 of children, for it is wel inough knowen, that there is no good thing but hath some bad mixed withall. Herein cannot the parents better prouide, than with themselues wel to aduise of what profes∣sion they will haue their children to be, to the end to accomodate their studies to the same vocation: as beeing assured that hee that * is vowed to the warre néede not to procéede so farre in studie of the sciences, as those that thereby séeke to growe and inrich them∣selues. They must also haue a care that they put their children to learned tutors and well conditioned, least in lieu of knowledge they should reape ignorance, and corruption in stead of temperance.

Other Gentlemen there be, who séeing disorders euery where, had rather kéep their children at home, and there to spare for no sti∣pends vnto sufficient maisters, than to send them forth. This is a good way for those that be very rich, who also haue opportunitie to giue them companions of their owne age, with whom they profite better than being alone. But so cannot the poore that haue inough to do to cloth and feede theirs, whom also necessitie, as is aforesaid, forceth to make them pages where they may: as wel to haue them fashioned, as to ease their owne charges. It is sufficiently knowen that there be many valiant Gentlemen of 7. or 800. Frankes rent, that haue foure or fiue children apeece ready growen, sitting about their hearths, what can they do with them but intreat their friends that are better able than themselues to giue them their finding and instruction, which is the most commodious way for them that they can choose: whereof doth insue a great bond both of the Father and the child to him that sheweth thē this curtesie, as also a great loue of him toward them, in that he findeth himselfe to be thought wor∣thie the gouernment of others. The Lords that inhabite each pro∣uince of this Realme, doe owe that liberall honestie to their poore neighbours: for if they be vertuous, can they anie where better sow so good séede than in their neighbors lands? & it may so light as it shall yéeld fruit ten folde. Some such haue ben a mans page as af∣terward hath saued the life of him, y^t brought him vp. And although some frée heart can neuer be wearie of imploying it selfe in such ac∣tions as purchase so sure bondes: yet must it proceede according as abilie may affoord, so to auoide such inconueniences as we haue sometime séene in the houses of sundry those Princes & Lords that haue entertained euery page y^t haue ben offered them. Wherof the nūber was so excessiue, that it extinguished all care, not onely of in∣structing, but also of clothing them, so as somtime you might finde Page  72 some of thē all tattred, playing at scales with the stable boies. These are briefly the most ordinarie formes of proceeding in the instruction of yong gentlemen heretofore practised, wherin are declared the er∣rours therein committed, the commodities & discommodities thereof arising, and the remedies that may be vsed.

Now must we draw forth some publike discipline for the afore na∣med, whereby they may be instructed in good manners & honest ex∣ercises * with most commoditie, least perill & greatest fruit. The aun∣cient lawgiuers that haue prescribed lawes to all sorts of common wealths, do will that children be taught in publike places, touching withall euery thing that is necessarie for them to learne, whereby to become vertuous and good citizens. Aristotle in his Politiks trea∣teth therof at large, as also doth Plutarke in his small works. They say that man consisting both of bodie and soule, must also be instruc∣ted & exercised in that which belongeth to thē both. For that neglec∣ted, the soule stūbleth in ignorance which is the mother of many vi∣ces, and by idlenesse diseases increase, and the body waxeth delicate and tender. Among the auncient nations in old time none were so curious in the well nurturing of their youth as the Lacedemoni∣ans, & so long as they obserued their customes, they had infinite ver∣tuous persons, yea, their women & children became famous. The like affection ought to be among the kings that raigne in these daies, es∣pecially toward their nobilitie: frō whence do proceed their Princes, mightie Captains, gouernors, and chiefe officers, Embassadors and inferior Captains, whose seruice they vse in defence of their crowns. For in case they desire to reape worthie seruice of all these whē they be men, they must first haue some care of thē when they be children: because y^e Prince being y^e cōmon father of his subiects, ought to pro∣cure that they be good. Whereof I do conclude that to the end to see good fruit proceed of the well nurturing of the Gentrie, the parents diligence only doth not suffice, but that it is also requisite that publike orders do concur therewith, to the end that the one mixed with the o∣ther a more prosperous issue maye insue. In olde time our kings founded many goodly colleges, to the end al their subiects in∣differētly might be instructed as wel in diuine as humane learning. As also we may say that in olde time Princes houses were schooles, wherein yong gentlemen were trained vp in ciuilitie & good maners: when like wise the ordinances of the men of war did in parte serue to instruct them in martial feats. But now inasmuch as in those places they find not so exquisite nurture as might be wished for, it were ex∣pedient Page  73 to proceed to y^e remedy propoūded: y^t is, y^t it might please his maiesty in sūdry parts of y^e realm to establish certain places dedicated to such instructiōs, which besides the ordinary fruit, might also yeld this cōmodity, y^t parēts should not be driuē w^t so great expenses, and vncertain successe to send their children so far away, as hauing euē at their gates, as it were, most excellēt schooles of al good exercises: for there is neuer a yere but there go 3. or 400. yong Gentlemen out of France, y^e most of good houses, into forein countries to sée & learne, which proceedeth of valiāt minds with extreme desire of knowledge. But euery thing wel waied, y^e said viages do breed more incōueniēce than profit: For they cary y^e coine out of y^e realme, & return fraught with vices: besides that, of all y^t go the one halfe do neuer returne, but are taken away either by sicknesse or other casualties.

It wer inough in my opiniō, to sēd their childrē at y^e age of 15. yeres to places so ordained, because thē they begin to grow méet for y^e exer∣cises of y^e bodie y^t require strēgth, & that in the meane time vntil they come to that age, their fathers cause them to be taught either in their own houses or at the vniuersities. These places whereof I meane to speak, might be named Academies, wherof I wold in euery head city of this realm appoint one, were it not y^t we are not yet disposed to do too much good at once: & therfore to begin withal, I would wish that 4. might be erected in the 4. quarters of the realm: which would most conueniently be at Paris, Bourdeaux, Lyons, & Angiers, whether al y^e other prouinces might haue recourse. Or it were not amisse to esta∣blish thē in 4. of the kings houses wherto the king doth but seldome repaire, namely, at Fontain beleau. The castle of Moulins. Plessis of Tours, & at the castle of Congnac: for y^e lodgings are large & worthy roial works. In thē might be taught many kinds of exercises as wel for the bodie as the mind. For the body, to learne to backe a horse, to run at the Quintain somtime armed, & somtime vnarmed, to handle their wepōs, to vault, & leap, wherto might also be added swimming & wrastling, for al these make a man strong & 〈…〉mble: Some Catho∣likes there are that would haue yong Gentlemen also to dance gali∣ards amōg thēselues only, notwithstāding dancing be but vain, so to learn to form the actions & to haue y^e bolder grace abroad. These also might be the exercises of the mind, which are no lesse necessary than the rest. To haue in our own language, lectures out of the auncient writers y^t intreat of moral vertues, policy, & war. They might also be instructed in y^e Mathematiks, Geography, fortificatiō, & some most vsual languages. And this is profitable for a gentleman, I meane to know so much as he can make vse of. Furthermore, because mās life Page  74 consisteth as well of trauaile as of rest, it is méete y^t his idle time be emploied in some honest occupations, to settle & content his mind, least it wander into bad cogitations and resolutions. Which moued Aristotle to wish young men to learn musick: so as there should al∣so be masters appointed to that end: likewise to play vppon instru∣ments, or to practise the pensill. And for the teaching of all these * things, I thinke 8. or 10. masters to suffice, who had néed to haue good stipends according to the seuerall qualities of the persons. For euery one knoweth y^t he that can teach to manage a horse deserueth more than a Painter. Likewise inasmuch as it is requisite to haue good orders in euery societie, especially in a house wher so many per∣sons must meet, to the end that obedience & ciuill honestie may the better be obserued, it were good also to choose for those foure places, as many vertuous Gentlemen to be superintendents of the said A∣cademies, to whom as well the masters as schollers should yeld al reuerence, who also should sée to the ordering of all things. Euerie of them to haue 2000. frankes maintenance, to the end to kéep resi∣dence vpon the place. Neither should their office continue aboue 3. or 4. yeres, which expired, to make choice of new. For if the youth y^t might haue recourse thether should not be so brideled, they woulde hardly beare thēselues modestly, considering the libertie that alrea∣dy they begin to take. The authoritie also of y^e abouenamed might extend, séeing any lewd, & as it were vncurable schqller, to bannish * him the Academie, & to driue him thence. The charges for the maintenance of euery Academie wold not amount to aboue 3000 crownes, & so the whole foure to 12000. by yere, which were but a small matter in respect of the great fruit y^t would arise of the same.

But some good common wealths man will saie, that it were better to deuise how to discharge the king of his debts than to put him in * new charges. To whom I answere, that thus he should pay one of the greatest debts that he oweth, which is to adorne his nobilitie w^t vertue. Besides that, who so list to looke well shall sée an infinit nū∣ber of yéerely expenses much worse bestowed. Howbeit, to the end not to burthē the realme, which is alredie but ouercharged, the re∣diest way to do this, were to take the first benefices that shall fal w^t∣out charge of soule, & be in his Maiesties gift, & out of them to ap∣point paiment. For as wel they be giuē to such as spēd y^e reuenues in prophane or rather so filthie vses, as it is a shame to say. The clergy do ordinarily cōplaine y^t the noble men catch at spiritual pro∣motions, which then they would not do, because y^t being instructed Page  49 and at their charges, they would not séeke to trouble publike order For those that embolden themselues to such things, do it for want of good nurture. Afterward when the affaires of of France might * be brought into better order, the king might discharge the clergie of this bond.

Now doth the difficultie rest in the finding of so many masters, For vnlesse it bee at Paris the other townes are in a manner vt∣terly vnprouided. At the first peraduenture we must fetch some out of Italy, especially such as can teach to manage a horse, to vse wea∣pons, or to vault, although I suppose that among the Prouinces there be many poore gentlemen sufficient for this purpose. But be∣fore these Academies shal haue stood thrée yeres in vse, themselues will haue framed more maisters than wee shall néede. For the Frenchman is readie to learne artes and sciences, especiallie if hee sée them in account, and that those that haue skill bee maintained. Furthermore, notwithstanding the masters that should teach, haue their stipends out of the common purse, yet should they not bée de∣barred from taking by permission some honest rewards of their dis∣ciples, to the ende to make them the more diligent to teach them well. As also the superintendent might to his best auaile boorde some young Gentlemen, which would redound to their benefite & their parents commoditie. To bee briefe, there might be such disci∣pline, that such as should commit anie dishonest act, should bee cor∣rected, either by exhortations, punishmentes, or shame, as hath bene sayd, to reforme them of their misdemeanours. Perticulerlie to discourse of the orders to be obserued in these exercises were but superfluous. Onely we shoulde thinke, that except the principall feasts & sondaies, no daie should be exempt from bodilie actions. It is also to be considered, that inasmuch as the escuiry cannot haue horses inow to teach all, euerie young Gentleman, especially the rich, at his cōming should bring one either broken or vnbroken. For either with the one or with the other they maye alwayes exercise themselues. Besides that, it wil be a commoditie to their parents to send their horses to be there brokrn, whether great horse or cur∣tals. Neither doe I doubt, but by such time as a young Gentle∣man shall haue continued foure or fiue yeres in such a schoole, he wil be able to shew himselfe in anie Princes court: For beeing skilfull in so many honest exercises, and withall instructed in other thinges that are not comprehended but by the vnderstanding, who will not wonder at eighteene or nineteene yeeres of age to sée such toward∣nesse? Page  50 Now if either in the court or other where we sée one indued with such qualities, we like of him & wish him good luck: What thē would we do if we should sée all the prouinces of the Realme plen∣tifull in such fruits. What a contentation might it bee to our king to sée himselfe inuironed with a nobility, not in name onely, but in vertue? As also what an honour for the parents that haue erected so goodly pillers for the vpholding & glorie of their families? Like∣wise our youth being thus instructed, we shall not néede to feare to send it into any place wheresoeuer, because it shall be of good proofe: and in liew of spoiling it selfe, it shal choose the best in other places wherby to profit. Neither shal there néed aboue sixe such in a whole band of souldiours to bring the same into liking with all commen∣dable exercises: whereas nowe for the moste part they all imploy their vacaunt leisure, either in trifling or hurtful pastimes: so shold the assēblies which oftē meet in the prouinces to decide controuer∣sies, or to leauy grayne, bee conuerted into sweete and pleasant contentions betweene yong gentlemen, sometime in townes and somtimes in lords houses, to runne at the ring, or to fight at barri∣ers, with such other exercises whereby to winne the prises allotted to the most actiue: then would they also maintaine chalenges, and of these communications in so honest recreations ingender ac∣quaintance and fruitfull amity. I will leaue to the iudgements of such as haue haunted the courts and warres, to note howe soone the yong men that I haue spoken of, will grow both good courti∣ers and better souldiers. For beeing already so well instructed in the actions both of the body and minde, such a preparation would make them capable of that in two yeeres which others (who be∣sides the helpes of nature haue but small learning) can not com∣prehend in six. Finally the report of this good order beeing spred through forrein countries, we should haue great resort of strangers to participate in the saide instructions, which woulde greatly re∣dound to the glory of our country.

This is one small meanes in some sort to keepe the vniuersall corruption (which as an ouerflowing streame seeketh to winne * ground) from further infecting of our nobilitie: Besides we might conceiue this hope, that by continuance of such an order we should by litle and little see good manners restored. As also that age see∣ing youth so modest and wel taught would be afeard to transgresse and haue a greater desire to vnderstande what is worthy them∣selues. Only it remaineth to perswade his maiestie to prouide ei∣ther Page  51 these or better establishmentes, which I assure my selfe, hee would not be against, in respect of that singuler affection which he beareth vnto his nobility, who hauing beene euer heretofore ready to sacrifice their liues for his seruice, woulde be much more bent thereto when by new benefites their bands shall be encreased.