Positions vvherin those primitiue circumstances be examined, which are necessarie for the training vp of children, either for skill in their booke, or health in their bodie. VVritten by Richard Mulcaster, master of the schoole erected in London anno. 1561. in the parish of Sainct Laurence Povvntneie, by the vvorshipfull companie of the merchaunt tailers of the said citie

Chapter 37. The meanes to restraine the ouerflowing multitude of scholers. The cause why euerie one desireth to haue his childe learned, and yet must yelde ouer his owne desire to the disposition of his countrie. That necessitie and choyce be the best restrayners. That necessi∣tie restrayneth by lacke and lawe. Why it may be admitted, that all may write & read that can, but no further. What is to be thought of the speaking and vnderstanding of Latine, and in what degree of learning that is. That considering our time & the state of religion in our time, lawe must needes helpe this re∣straint: with the answere to such obiections as are made to the contrary. That in choice of wittes, which must deale with lear∣ning, that wit is fittest for our state, which answereth best the monarchie, and how such a wit is to be knowne. That choice is to helpe in scholing, in admission into colledges, in proceeding to de∣grees, in preferring to liuinges, where the right and wrong of all the foure pointes be handled at full.

IN the last title we haue concluded, that there must be a re∣straint, and that all may not passe on to learning, which throng thitherward, bycause of the inconueniences, which may ensue, by want of preferment for such a multitude, and by defeating other trades of their necessarie trauellours. Our next labour therefore must be, how to handle this restraint, that the tide ouerflow not the common, with to great a spring of bookish people, if ye crie come who will, or ring out all in. Euerie one desireth to haue his childe learned: the reason is, for that how hardly soeuer either fortune frowne, or casual∣tie chastice, yet learning hath some strength to shore vp the person, bycause it is incorporate in the person, till the soule dislodge, neither lyeth it so open for mischaunce to mangle, in any degree, as forren and fortunes patrimonie doth. But though euerie parent be thus affected toward his owne child, as nature leades him to wish his owne best, yet for all that

euerie parent must beare in memorie that he is more bound to his country, then to his child, as his child must renounce him in countermatch with his countrie. And that country which clay∣meth this prerogatiue of the father aboue the child, and of the child aboue the father, as it maintained the father eare he was a father, and will maintaine the child, when he is without a father: so generally it prouideth for all, as it doth require a du∣tie aboue all. And therefore parentes in disposing of their chil∣dren may vpon good warrant surrender their interest to the generall consideration of their common countrie, and thinke that it is not best to haue their children bookish, notwithstan∣ding their owne desire, be it neuer so earnestly bent: if their countrie say either they shall serue in this trade, without the booke: or if shee say I may not allow any more booke men without my to much trouble. I pray thee good parēt haue pa∣cience, and appoint some other course for thy childe, there be many good meanes to liue by, besides the booke, and I wilbe thy childes friend, if thou wilt fit in some order for me. This verie consideration of the countrie, vttered with so milde a speach, spoken by her that is able to performe it, may moue the reasonable parent, to yealde to her desire as best, as she can tell the headstrong in plaine termes, that he shall yeelde perforce, if he will not by entreatie. For priuate affection though supported by reason of strength whatsoeuer, must ei∣ther voluntarily bend, or forcibly breake, when the common good yeeldeth to the contrary side.

Seeing therefore the disposition of wittes according to the proportion of ech state is resigned ouer to the countrie: and she sayth all may not be set to schole, bycause ech trade must be furnished, to performe all duties belōging to all parts: it falleth out in this case of restraint which bridles desire, that two speciall groundes are to be considered, which strip away excessiue number, necessitie and choice, the one perforce, the other by your leaue.

* 1.1As for necessitie, when the parent is ouer charged with de∣fect in circumstance, though desire carie him on, it then re∣straineth most, and lesseneth this number when desire would encrease it, and straines to the contrary. You would haue your

childe learned, but your purse will not streatch, your remedy is pacience, deuise some other way, wherein your abilitie will serue. You are not able to spare him from your elbow, for your neede, and learning must haue leysure: a scholers booke must be his onely busines, without forreine lettes, you may be bold of your owne: let booking alone, for such as can en∣tend it, from being called away by domesticall affaires, and necessarie busines. For the scholers name will not be a cypher-like subiect, as he is termed of leasure, so must he haue it. And they that cannot spare their children so, must forebare their scholing,* 1.2 by the olde Persian ordinance, bycause leasure is the foregoer to liberall profession: necessitie compelleth and bastardeth the conceit, a venym to learning, whom freedom should direct. You haue no schole neare you, and you cannot pay for teaching further of, let your owne trade content you: keepe your childe at home. Your childe is weake tymbred, let scholing alone, make play his physician and health his midle end. Which way soeuer neede driues you perforce, that way must ye trot, if he will not amble, and bid Will thinke that well. He that gouerneth all seeth what is your best, your selfe may be missled either by ignorance in choice, or affectiō in blood In these and the like cases lacke is the leader, which way soeuer she straineth. Whereby if the restrained childe cannot get the skil to write & read: I lamēt that lacke, bycause I haue allowed him somuch before, vpon some reasonable perswasiō euen for necessary dealings. For these two pointes concerne euery man neare, bycause they submit themselues to euerie mans seruice: yea in his basest busines & secretest affaires. I dare not venture to allow so many the latin tungue nor any other language, vnlesse it be in cases, where their trades be knowne, and those toungues be founde to be necessarie for them. For all the feare is, though it be more then feare, where it still falleth out so, least hauing such benefits of schole, they will not be content with the state which is for them, but bycause they haue some petie smak of their booke, they will thinke any state be it ne∣uer so high to be low ynough for them. Which petie booke∣men do not consider, that both clounes in the countrie, and artificers in townes be allowed latin in well gouerned

states, which yet rest in their calling, without pride or ambition, for that small knowledge, whereby they be better able to fur∣nish out their trades, without further aspiring. Neither mea∣sure they the meaner qualities, as the thinges be in nature, but as themselues be in conceit: neither can they consider that at this daye it is not the toungue, but the treasure of learning and knowledge, which is laid vp in the toungue whereunto they neuer came, which giueth the toungue credit, and the speaker authoritie. For want of this right iudgement there ensueth in them a miscontentment of minde, not liking their owne state, and a cumbersome conceit, still aspiring higher, that dis∣quieteth the whole state. Wherefore necessitie is a good meane to preuent this in many, which would if they could, now may not, bycause they cannot.

* 1.3The second point of necessitie I do assigne to lawe and or∣dinaunce vpon consideration to cut of this flocking multitude, which will needes to schoole. Whereupon two great goods must needes ensue. Contentment of minde in the partie restrai∣ned, when he shall perceiue publike prouision to be the checke to his fantsie: and timely preuenting, care conceit take roote, and thinke it selfe wronged. Bycause it is much better to nip misorder in the verie ground, that it may not take hold, then when it is growen vp, then to hacke it downe. He that neuer conceiued great thinges maye be helde there with ease, but being once entred in the waye to mount, and then throwne backward, he will be in some greife and seeke how to returne gaule, whence he receiued greife, if he chaunce to proue pe∣uish, as repulse in great hope is a perillous grater. Yet in both these cases of necessarie restraint, I could wish prouision were had to some singular wittes, found worthy the auauncement: either by priuate patronage, or publike: and yet againe if they passe on, and bewtifie some other trade: that also is verie good, seeing they serue their countrey, whersoeuer they be loated, & in those also whom libertie of circunstance doth set to schoole [ 1] pouertie will appeare,* 1.4 and towardnesse call for helpe: and yet the number will neuerthelesse proue still with the most.

It is no obiection to alleadge against such a lawful restraint, the abilitie of good wittes, and great learning in men, that ei∣ther

now be, or heretofore haue bene, which we might haue lackt if so strait a lawe had bene then: or that it were pitie by [ 2] seueritie of an vnkinde lawe to hynder that excellencie, which God cōmonly giues to the poorer sort. To the first I aunswere, besides that, which euen lawe to that ende will aunswere for it selfe. As in time to come we know not, who shall serue the state, if the lawe be made straite, and yet we know well, that he which defendes states will prouide sufficient persons, by whom they shalbe serued: so in time past or present, if these were not, or those had not bene, whom we now see or of whō we haue heard, God would haue raised vp other, whose bene∣fites in seruing gouernmentes may not be restrained to any degree of men, as they be men, but to the appointment of a ci∣uill societie, which hath direction ouer men: as a thing which God doth most cherish, both in respect of this Church which is of number, and in regard of societie it selfe, which is the na∣turall ende of mans being here, and not to liue alone. And I warrant you whensoeuer such an orderly restraint shalbe put in practise that there wilbe as good foresight had to haue ne∣cessarie functions serued, as there will be regard to draine a∣way the vnnecessarie ouerflow. A thing not new faingled, but euer in vse, where the common weales, had an eye to distribute their multitude to the best and easiest proportion of their owne state: which otherwise improportionate would breade an apo∣steme. And therefore if the generall iudgement appoint it so, it is best to yeelde. And priuate opinion in politike cases will proue an errour, if the generall liking contrarie it flat. I do not now meane, where the generall is blinded by common errour, but where priuate conceit can take no exception, sauing that, which he bredeth from out of his owne braine. If the state of my countrey take order, that my child shall not go to schoole, sure I will obay, and prouide some other course, though I like learning exceeding well, and be verie farre in loue with it, besides the affection to my child, bycause the squaring with the generall, is to farre out of square for any particular. And I pray you may it not be, that for want of such an ordinance we mist better wittes, then those were, or are, which we either had or haue, though we thinke very well of both the sortes, whe∣ther

now liuing with vs, or tofore parted from vs? And doth not negligence for want of looking to, ouerthrow as gaie and gallant heades, as diligence by doing euen her verie best, hath euer brought to light? Aduised and considerate planting is like enough to receiue verie good encrease, and euentes in such cases, by authoritie and testimonie of two the greatest oratours in both the best tongues, be but foolish maisters, and febler argumentes.

As for pytying the poore, it is no pitie, not to wish a begger to become a prince, though ye allow him a pennie, and pitie his needefull want. Is he poore? prouide for him, that he may liue by trade, but let him not loyter. Is he wittie? why? be arti∣ficers fooles? and do not all trades occupie wit? sometimes to much, and thereby both straine their owne heades to the worse, and proue to suttle for a great deale their betters. Is he verie likely to proue singuler in learning? I do not reiect him, for whom I prouide a publike helpe in common patronage. But he doth not well to oppose his owne particular, against the publike good, let his countrie thinke of him enough, and not he of him selfe to much. If nobilitie & gentlemen would fall to diligence, and recouer the execution of learning, where were this obiection? The greatest assurers of it affirme, that learning was wont to be proper to nobilitie, and that through their negligence it is left for a pray to the meaner sort, and a bootie to corruption, where the professours neede offereth wrongfull violence to the liberalitie of the thing. Do they not therein confesse, where the right of the thing lyeth and themselues to be vsurpers, if they should enter vpō their owne, whose the interest is, and whom in so many discourses of no∣bilitie, they themselues blame so much for their so great neg∣ligence? They must needes here yeelde without law to their owne confession. But we see God hath shewed himselfe mer∣uelous munificent and beneficiall this way to the poorer sort. I graunt, yet that proues not, but that he bestowed as great giftes of them which shewed not. And that as diligence in the one did shew that they had, to the glorie of the giuer, and their owne praise: so negligence in the other, did suppresse that they had to their owne shame, who neither honoured the giuer,

nor honested themselues, nor profited their countrie. So that here not the gift, but the shew is brought in allegation. And why not the greater talent hid seeing it is no noueltie? But the other shew. No more then that they haue. And the other shew not. No argumēt that they haue not. Take order then, that they shew, which haue & hide, & then make comparisons. Be great giftes tied to the meane, or banished from the mighty? be there not as good wittes in wealth, though oftimes choked with dissolutenes and negligence, as there be in pouertie appearing thorough paines and diligence? Nay be there not as vntoward poorelinges, as there be wanton wealthlinges? I know yes, and when vntowardnes and an ill inclynation hittes in a base con∣ditiō, it proues more vile. So that this thing turnes about to my other conclusion, that neither pouertie is to be pitied more then the countrey, if pitie must needes take place: neither ri∣ches more to be esteemed then the common weale, if wealth must needes be wayed: but that the value in wittes must be heelde of most worth, which hath her hauē already appointed, where to harbour her selfe, in maintenaunce to studie, either by priuate helpe, if the parents be wealthy, or by publike ayde, if pouertie praie for it.

Certainly there is great reason (if euen the terme, great, be not to small, when the thing is more then needfull, and the time to preuent it, is almost runne to farre) why order should be taken, to restraine the number, that will needes to the booke. For while the Church was an harbour for all men to ride in, which knew any letter, there needed no restraint, the liuinges there were infinite and capable of that number, the more drew that waye, and found releife that way, the better for that state, which encroached still on, and by clasping all persons, would haue graspid all liuinges. The state is now altered, that book-maintenance maimed, the preferment that waye hath turned a new leafe. And will ye let the fry encrease, where the feeding failes? Will ye haue the multitude waxe, where the maintenance waines? Sure I conceiue of it thus, that there is as great diffe∣rence in ground, betwene the suffring all to booke it in these dayes, and the like libertie to the same number, in the ruffe of the papacy amongst vs: as there is betwene the two religions,

the one expelled and the other retained, in the grounds of their kinde. The expelled religion was supported by multitude, and the moe had interest, the moe stood for it: the retained must pitch the defence of her truth, in some paucity of choice: seeing the liuinges are shred, which should serue the great number. So that our time, of necessitie must restraine: if not: what you breede and feede not, the aduersarie part will allure by liuing, and arme by corrupting, against their vnwise countrey, which either bestowed them not at first, or despised them at last. Where your thankes shalbe lost, which brought vp, and for∣sooke, their desert shall sinke deepe, which fed the forsaken. And is it not meere folly by sufferance to encrease your enemies force, which you might by ordinance supplant at ease? it is the booke, which bredes vs enemies, and causeth corruption to creepe, where cunning neuer came. The enemy state cared not so much for many well learned, as for the multitude though vnlearned, which backt much bould ignorance, with a gaie surface of some small learning: our state then must reiect the multitude, and rēpare with the cunning. Our owne time is our surest touch, and our owne trouble our rightest triall, if wise∣dome in time do not preuent it, folly in triall will surely repent. It is to no purpose to alledge, when people see, that there is no preferment to be had for all learners, that then the number will decay, and abate of it selfe without any lawe: onelesse ye can worke so, as no moe may hope, though but one can hit: or els, if ye can appoint vs, how long the controuersie for religion is like to endure. For while hope is indifferent, eche one will croud: and while religion is in brake, eche one vnder hand, will furnish where he fauoreth. The aduersarie of our religion, as in deede he needed none, so dreamed he not of any defense, while he was rockt in ease, and his state vnassailed by any mis∣contentment: but now that he is skirmished with so much, and so sore gauled, he is driuen to studie, & seeketh by new coined distinctions to recouer, that credite and reputation which he lost by intruding: wherin as he dealeth more cūningly with the person of his aduersarie, so he bewrayeth still the great auan∣tage, which his aduersaries cause hath wonne ouer his. For in disputing, good Logicians know that it is an euident shift, to

auoide manifest foile, when the disputer in dispaire of his cause, is forced to bend against his aduersaries person. And therefore prouision must be, to defend by a learned paucitie, where the flocking number by reason of ingenerate wantes, will proue but a scare crow, and by apparent defection doth encrease the embush, which lyeth still in waite, to intercept our possession. Thus much of Necessitie, which stayeth the multitude of lear∣ners either by defect in circunstance, or by law in ordinance, when the parties be letted, either by lack that they can not, or by law that they may not, lay claime to the booke.

Now are we come to a larger compasse,* 1.5 where libertie giues leaue to learne if he can, where forraine circumstances be free, and no let for any to be learned but either his wit, if he be dull, or his will, if he be stubburne. In this kinde, choise is a great prince, which by great reason and good aduice, ab∣bridgeth that which is to much, and culs owt the best. Which choice, as it begins at the entrie of the elementarie schole, so it proceedeth on, till the last preferment be bestowed, which either the state hath in store for any person, or any person can deserue, for seruice in the state. And therefore as it keepeth in an ordinate course, so it may full well be orderly handled, and by conuenient degrees.

But bycause the choice is to be made by the wit, and the wit is to be applied to the frame & state of the countrie, where it continueth:* 1.6 I will first seeke out, what kinde of wit is euen from the infancie to be thought most fit, to serue for this state in the learned kinde. Which if it be to stirring, troubleth, if it be well staied, setleth the countrie where it lyueth, so farre as it dealeth. And yet oftymes that wit maketh least shew at the first, to be so plyable, which at the last doth best agree with the pollicy. And therfore it is then to be taken, whē it beginnes first to shew, that it will proue such: wherefore precise reie∣cting of any wit, which is in way to go onward, before due ri∣penes, as it is harmefull to the partie reiected, so it bewraieth some rashnes in him that reiecteth: bycause the varietie is ex∣ceeding great, though the coniectures be as great, and the most likelyhood must needes leade, where certaintie is denied. But to the wittes: wherein as lacke and law do guide necessitie

so the qualitie of the witte, conformable to the state directeth choice.

There be three kindes of gouernment most noted among [ 1] all writers, whereof the first is called a monarchie, bycause one prince beareth the sway, by whose circumspection the com∣mon [ 2] good is shielded, and the common harme shouldred: the second an oligarchie: where some few beare all the swinge: the [ 3] third a democratie, where euery one of the people hath his interest in the direction, and his voice in elections. Now all these three be best maintained by those kindes of wit, which are most proper for that kinde of gouernment, wherein they liue. But bycause the gouernmēt of our countrie is a monarchie: I will in choise seeke out that kinde of wit, which best agreeth with the monarchie, neither will I touch the other two, vnles I fortune to trip vpon then by chaunce. And for as much as I haue made the yong child my first subiect, I will continue therein still▪ bycause that which beginneth to shew it selfe neare vpon infancie, will so commonly continue, though al∣teration creepe in sometime. But lightly these wittes alter not, bycause the tokens be so fast and firme in nature, and tend to so certaine and so resolute a iudgement.

* 1.7That child therefore is like to proue in further yeares, the fittest subiect for learning in a monarchie, which in his tender age sheweth himselfe obedient to scholeorders, and eitheir will not lightly offend, or if he do, will take his punishment gently: without either much repyning, or great stomaking. In behauiour towardes his companions he is gentle and cur∣teous, not wrangling, not quarelling, not complaining, but will put to his helping hand, and vse all perswasions, rather then to haue either his maister disquieted, or his fellowes pu∣nished. And therefore he either receiueth like curtesie againe of his scholefellowes: or who so sheweth him any discurtesie, must abyde both chalenge and combate with all the rest.

If he haue any excellent towardnes by nature, as commonly such wittes haue, whereby he passeth the residue in learning, it will shew it selfe so orderly, and with such modestie, as it shall soone appeare, to haue no loftines of minde, no aspiring am∣bition, no odiouse comparisons ioyned withall.

At home he will be so obsequious to parentes, so curteous among seruauntes, so dutiefull toward all, with whom he hath to deale: as there will be contention, who may praise him most behinde his backe, who may cherish him most before his face: with prayer that he may go on, with feare of too hastie death, in so od a towardnes of wit and demeanour. These thinges will not lighly make any euident shew, til the child be either in the grammer schole, by orderly ascent, and not by two forewardly hast, or vpon his passage from the perfited elementarie, bycause his yeares by that time, and his contynuance vnder gouern∣ment, will somwhat discouer his inclination. Before that time we pardon many thinges, and vse pointes of ambition and courage, to enflame the litle ones onward, which we cut of af∣terward, for making them to malapart, as in their apparell frise is successour to silke. When of them selues without any either great feare, or much hartening, they begin to make some muster and shew of their learning to this more then that, then is coniecture on foote to finde, what they willbe most likely to proue.

But now to examine these signes more nearely and narow∣ly, which I noted to be in the child that is like to proue so fit a subiect for a monarchie, in matters of learning: Is not obedi∣ence the best sacrifice, that he can offer vp to his prince and go∣uernour, being directed and ruled by his countrie lawes? And in the principles of gouernmēt, is not his maister his monarche? & the scholelawes his countrey lawes? wherunto if he submit himselfe both orderly in perfourmance, & patiently in penaunce, doth he not shew a mynde already armed, not to start from his dutie? and so much the more, bycause his obedience to his maister is more voluntarie, then that to his prince, which is meere necessarie. For in perswasions of children, which the pa∣rentes will giue eare to: in desire to chaunge, where their wills be chekt: in multitude of teachers, who thriue by such chaun∣ges: all meanes be good, where there is such plentie, to offer such parentes as be tikelish, and such scholers as be shifting, remouing from maisters and renouncing of obedience. The child hath many shadowes to shift in vpon any pretence, and as many baites, to winne his parentes beleefe, and specially if

he stand in feare of beating. Whereas neither he, ne yet his pa∣rentes, can forsake their prince, vpon any colour without for∣faiting more then a quarters scholehire. And therfore in so ma∣ny meanes to change, and some perhaps offered, bycause who will not very willingly deale with such a witte, where his tra∣uell will make shew, that child which notwithstanding all these entisementes, will continue both on, and one, and digest dyscurtesies, though his mayster sometyme chaunce to proue churlish, is the peculiar and proper witte, which I commende for obedience, and that is like to proue both honestly learned, [ 2] and earnestly beloued. In his owne demeanour towardes his fellowes and freindes, and all sortes of people generally, either at home, or abroade, either in schoole, or elsewhere and in their loue and liking of him againe, doth he not shew forth an eui∣dent sociabilitie and liklyhood, that he will be very well to be liued withall? and proue a very curteous man, which is so [ 3] louing, and so beloued while he is yet a boye? In letting nature shew her owne excellencie without vnsweetning it with his owne sawcinesse, doth he not argue that he hath stuffe towards preferment, without any sparke of ambition to moue further flame? or to prease to fast forwarde? which shall neuer neede: bycause all men that know him, will either willingly helpe to preferre him, if their voice be in it: or will reioyce at his pre∣ferment, if they be but beholders. For who will not be glad to see vertue, which he loueth, auaunced to rewarde? or what can enuie do, in so plausible a case, but set forth the partie, by declaring his desert, in that she is there? There be many con∣sequentes, which hange vpon these, as neither vertue nor vice be single where they be, but are alwaie accompanied with the whole troupe of the like retinue. And one conuenience graun∣ted draweth on a number of the like kinde, as well as one in∣conuenience draweth on his like traine.

But these be the maine as I conceiue at the first blush: obe∣dience to superiours and superioritie, freindlynesse and fellow∣ship toward companions, and equalles: substance to deserue well and winne it, desire to auoide ill and flie it. What duetie either towardes God or man, either in publike or priuate so∣cietie, in any either hie or low kinde of life is there, whervnto

God hath not seemed in nature to haue framed and fashioned this so toward a youth? and therefore to haue appointed him for the vse of learning to be ruled by his betters, and to rule his inferiours, nothing offensiue nor vnpleasant to any? Many such wittes there be, and at them must choice first begin. And as those be the best, and first to be chosen, in whom there is so rare metall, so the second or third after these be vnworthy the refusall, in whom the same qualities do appeare, though not in the same, but in some meaner degree. For wheras great ill is oft in place, and proues the generall foe to that which would be better, there meane good, if it may haue place, will be ge∣nerall freind to preferre the better: as euen this second medio∣critie, if it may be had, as choice will finde it out, will proue verie freindly to set forward all good. Now these properties and signes appeare in some, verie soone, in some verie late, yea oftimes when they are least looked for: as either iudgement in yeares, or experience in dealinges do frame the parties.

The plat for the monarchicall learner being alwaye reseant in the chusers head, concerning the propertie of his witte: and appearance towardes proofe: the rest is to be bestowed vpon the consideration of learning, and towardnesse in children ge∣nerally (wherof these wittes be still both the first & best frutes) where to stay, or how farre to proceede in the ascent of lear∣ning. Whether he be riche or poore, that makes no matter, and is already decided, whether he be quicke or slow, therein is somwhat, and requireth good regard.

Wherfore when sufficient abilitie in circunstances bids o∣pen the schoole dore,* 1.8 the admission and continuance be ge∣nerall, till vpon some proofe the maister, whom I make the first chuser of the finest, and the first clipper of the refuse, begin to finde and be able to discerne, where abilitie is to go on for∣ward, and where naturall weaknesse biddes remoue by times. For if negligence worke weaknesse, that is an other disease, and requires an other medecine, to heale it withall. Now when the maister hath spied the strength or infirmitie in nature, as by lightsomnesse or heauinesse in learning, by easinesse or hard∣nesse in retaining, by comparing of contrarie or the like wittes, he shall easely sound both, then as his delite wilbe to haue the

toward continue, so must his desire be, how to procure the diuerting and remouing of the duller and lesse toward, to some other course, more agreeing with their naturall, thē lear∣ning is: wherin they are like to go forward verie litle, though their fortune be to go to schoole very long: but here two con∣siderations are to be had: neither to soone to seeke their diuer∣ting, till some good ripenesse in time, though with some great paines to the teacher in the meane time, wish them to be wei∣ned from booking: neither yet before their bodies be of strēgth to abide the paines of some more laborious prenticeship. For it may so proue, that those wittes, which at the first were found to be exceeding hard and blunt, may soften, and proue sharp in time & shew a finer edge, though that be not to be made a ge∣nerall caution, to couer dullardes with all. For the naturall dul∣nesse will disclose it selfe generally in all pointes, that concerne memorie and conceit: that dulnesse which will once breake out sharp, will shew it selfe by glaunces, as a clowdy day vseth, which will proue faire, when all shrews haue dined. Where∣fore peremptorie iudgement to soone, may proue perillous to some: and againe he that is fit for nothing else, for the tender∣nesse of his bodie, may abide in the schoole a litle while lon∣ger, where though he do but litle good, yet he may be sure to take litle harme.

Moreouer if the parentes abilitie be such, as he may, and his desire such, as he will maintaine his child at schoole, till he grow to some yeares, though he grow to small learning, the maister must haue pacience, and measure his paines by the pa∣rentes purse, where he knowes there is plentie, and not by the childes profit, which he seeth will be small. Wherein yet he must impart his opinion continually with the parent both for his duetie sake, and for auoiding of displeasure. But in the mea∣ner sorte the case altereth, for that as a good witte in a poore child, deserues direct punishment, if by negligence he for slow the obtaining of learning, which is the patrimonie to wittie pouertie: so a dull witte in that degree would not be dalyed with all to long, but be furthered to some trade, which is the fairest portion to the slow witted poore. Now bycause the mai∣ster to whose iudgement I commend the choice, is no absolute

potentate in our common weale, to dispose of wittes, and to sorte mens children, as he liketh best, but in nature of a coun∣sellour, to ioine with the parent, if he will be aduised: therfore to haue this thing perfectly accomplished, I wish the parentes & maisters to be freindly acquainted, & domestically familiar. And though some parentes neede no counsell, as some mai∣sters can giue but litle, yet the wise parent will heare, and can iudge: and the skilfull maister can iudge, and should be heard. Where neither of these be, neither skill in the teacher to tell it, nor will in the parente to heare it, and lesse affection to follow it, the poore child is wrung to the worse in the meane while, and the parent receiues small comfort in conclusion.

This course for the maister to keepe in iudging of his scho∣ler, and the parent to follow in bestowing of his child, accor∣ding to his wit, continueth so long as the child shalbe either vnder maistership in schole, or tutorship in colledge. During the which time, a great number may be verie wisely and fitly bestowed, vnlearned trades sufficiently appointed, the proce∣ding in letters reserued to them, to whom for wit & iudgemēt they seeme naturally vowed: and finally the whole common weale in euery braunch well furnished with number, & the nū∣ber it selfe discharged of to much. Bycause this tyme vnder the maisters gouermēt, is the time wherin youth is to be bestowed by forraine direction: for afterward in a more daungerous age, and a more ieoperdouse time, they grow on to their owne choice, and these vnfitnesses in nature, or frailtes in maners, being not foreseene to, may cause the friendes forthinke it, and the parties sore rue it. And though the maister shall not allway haue his counsell followed in this case, yet if he do signifie his opinion to the parent, his dutie is discharged, and that which I require is orderly performed. For if the parent shew himselfe vnwilling to be directed that way, which the maister shall allow, vpon great ground, and be blynded by affection, measuring his childes wit to learning, by his doing of some errand, or by telling of some tale, or by marking of some pretie toy, as such argumentes there be vsed, which yet be no argumentes of a towarde learner, but of a no foolish obseruer: in this case though the maister to his owne gaine

draw on vnder his hand a desparate wit, the fault is his that would not see, if he that saw did honestly tell it. Whereby it still proueth true, that parētes & maisters should be familiarly lynked in amitie, and contynual conference, for their common care, and that the one should haue a good affiance of iudge∣ment in the thing, and of goodwill towards himselfe, reposed in the other. Which will proue so, when the maister is chosen with iudgement, and continued with conference, and not by∣cause my neighbours children go to schole with you, you shall haue myne to. A common commendation among common coursiters, which post about still to suruey all scholes, and ne∣uer staie in one: and reape as much learning, as the rowling stone doth gather mosse.

But concerning scholes, and such particularities, as belong thereunto I will then deale, when I shall take in hand the pe∣culiar argumentes, of schooles and schooling, both for the ele∣mentarie and the gramarian. Wherein we are no lesse troubled with number and confusion in our petie kingdomes, then the verie common weale is molested with the same in greater yeares, and larger scope.

But bycause it were not orderly delt, to rip the faultes, and not to heale them, I will post all these points ouer to their owne treatises, in my particuler discourses hereafter, where I will presently helpe, whatsoeuer I shall blame. The other meanes wherby choice lesseneth number, be admissions into colleges, prefermentes to degrees, aduauncement vnto liuings, wherein the common weale receiueth the greater blow, the nearer these thinges be to publike execution, and therefore the play∣ner dealing to preuent mischiefe before it infect, is the more praiseworthy.

* 1.9As concerning colleges I do not thinke the liuinges in them to be peculiar, or of purposement to the poorer sort onely, whose want that small helpe could neuer suffice, though there be some prerogatiue reserued vnto them, in consideration of some great towardnes, which might otherwise be trod down, and that way is held vp: but that they be simply preferments for learning, and auauncementes to vertue, as wel in the weal∣thy for reward of well doing, as in the poorer for necessarie

support. And therefore as I giue admission scope to chuse of both the sortes, so I do restraine it to honest and ciuill toward∣nes. For if fauour and friendship not for these furnitures, but for priuate respectes, carie away elections though with some enterlarding of towardnes and learning, and some few to giue countenaunce to some equitie of choice, and theerby to main∣taine the credit of such places, surely the scholers and heades which deuised the sleight, and conceiued they were not seene, shall repent without recouerie, and finde themselues bound, and their colleges bowelled, when they shal fele themselues ouerruled by their owne deuise: bycause such as come in so, will communicate the like with others, and neuer care for the common, which were helpt by the priuate. For where fauour bringes in almost in despite of order, there must fauour be re∣turned with meruelous disorder, and yet I do not mislike fa∣uour, which helpeth desert, which otherwise might be foiled, if fauour friended not. But when the ground wherupon fauour buildes is not so commendable, founders be discouraged, com∣mon prouision supplanted, learning set ouer to loytering, brauerie made enheritour to bookes. Stirringe wittes haue their will for the time, and repentance at leasure. The fault hereof com∣meth from scholers themselues, which first make way to si∣nister meanes, and afterward blame, the verie meane which they vsed themselues. For finding some ease at first in working their owne will, either more cunningly to hide some indirect dealing, or more subtilly to supplant some contrary faction: or in deede desiring rather by commaundement to force, and so to seeme somebodie, then of dutie to entreat, and so seeme ab∣iect to honestie: they stumble at the last vpon the blocke of bondage, being bridled of their owne will, euen when they are in ruffe, by the selfe same meanes, which brought them vn∣to it, and thought so to staule them, as themselues would com∣maund where they caused the speed. These fellowes be like to Horaces horse, which to ouercome the stag, vsed man for his meane once, and his maister alway: neither refusing the saddle on his ridg, to be rid on, nether the bit in his mouth, to be brid∣led by. A braue victory so dearely bought, to the victours bon∣dage, and perpetuall slauerie. Whereas if learning and those

conditions which I did lymit to a ciuill wit in this state, were the end in elections, the vnfit should be set ouer to some other course, in conuenient time: the fittest should be chosen, the founders mynde fulfilled: some periurie for non perfour∣maunce of statutes auoided: new patrones procured, religion a∣uaunced, good studentes encouraged, and fauour vpon ex∣treame and importunate sute disfranchised: which neuer will oppose it selfe to so honest considerations, so constantly kept: neither euer doth intrude, without some such sollicitours, as should be sorie for it, and vse no meane to haue it, which of∣times vse this meane, to do il by warrant, as if they were forced to that, which in deede they ment before, & sought fauour but for a shadow to hide their deuise. Now if you that are to chuse, yeeld so much to your selues, and your owne conceit to bring your deuises to passe, though ye wring by the waie, and your state in the ende, why should you not in good truth relent, and giue place your selues being in places, to your betters and bidders, which gaiue you the roome, and yet would haue left all to you, if you would haue left any place to reason: or haue bene led by right, as ye leaned all to the wronge? you had your will by them, and why not they haue theirs of you? requitall among equalles is of common curtesie, recompence in inequalities is enforced of necessitie.

If any metall be to massie, and way downe the ballance, or if any metallish meane, where money will scale, do enter that fort, where is small resistance, that is solde, which ought not, the enheritaunce of vertue: that is bought, which should not, the liuelihood of learning: that is betrayed, which neither should for feare, nor ought for freindship, the treasure of the state, and prouision of the coūtrey. And if there be neede, which enforceth such dealing, yet deale, where it is due, and let neede be remedyed, with her owne prouision, not by vnhonest intru∣sion. I do not blame any one, bycause my selfe know none, and I thinke well of most, bycause I know some sincere. But some thing there is that feedeth the generall complaint, and some contētious factions there be, that bring catchers into colleges. For both these two inconueniences, worse then mischeifes as our common law termeth them, I haue nothing to say more

then to renue the memorie of two accidentes, which happe∣ned to the Romain common weale, and may be vnderstood by scholers,1 1.10 that will marke and applie them. The first is, that in Tullie, when Pontius the Samnite wished that he either had not bene borne vntill, or but then borne, when the Romains would haue receiued giftes and rewardes. Why? what if? I would not haue suffred them to haue reigned one day longer, by selling their libertie, they should haue become bond. The fellow said much, and that state felt more, when they sell to fingering.

The second is this,2 1.11 not noted in any one, but obserued by all, that marke and write of the declining and ruine of the Romain Empire. The principall cause among many, to raze that state, which did rise in the blood of other nations and fell in their owne, was, when their generalls vsed the helpe of forreine and barbarous fellowes, late foes, new freindes, to ouerthrow the contrarie factions in their ciuill warres, both before and in their Emperours time, and let them both smell and taste of the Ro∣mish wealth and fatnesse of Italie. Wherwith the horesons being rauished, euer as they went home sent more of their countrey∣men to serue in seditious or necessarie defenses: till at the last their whole nations ouerflew that florishing towne, and that fertile countrey. Wherby that great abundance, that vnspeake∣able wealth, those inestimable riches, which the whether con∣quering or rauening Romaines had gathered together in so ma∣ny hundred yeares, from so many seuerall countries, in a verie small time, became a bootie to that barbarous offall of all kinde of people, which neuer had any, till they became lordes, both of the Romain substance and the soile of Italie. A glasse for those to gase on, which will rather stirre to fall, then be still to stand. If ye shew a child an apple, he will crye for it, but if you make a mightier then your selfe priuie to your plea∣sures, if he be desirous to haue, and speede not, he will make you crye for it.

But now as fauour founded not vpon desert, but vpon some fetch, is foe to all choice, enforcing for the fauorite, so free ad∣missions into colledges, by but mildely and honestly replying: vpon fauour may helpe it in sufficiency, and lighten the booke of some needlesse burthen, which hurtes not onely in the ad∣mission,

but also by sending abroade such broad dealers, which corrupt where they go, and poison more incurably, bycause of their meane, which is mothered vpon learning, which the cunninger it is, the craftyer meane it is: & of the more credit it is, the more conueiance it hath to corrupt with good colour, though it be to bad, when it is bewrayed. If hope were cut of to speede by disorder, such wittes would streight waye forte themselues to order, as they be not the most blockheades, which offer violence to order: wherin I must needes say som∣what in plaine truth, and plausible to.

* 1.12Those great personages, which be so tempted by the impor∣tunity of such petie companions, as seeke thē for protection, to force good & godly statutes, are litle bound to thē. For what do they? Their owne obscuritie comes in no daunger, as being but vnderlinges, neither much seene, nor a whit cared for, though they cause the mischeife: but they force good, & well giuen dis∣positions, excellent & noble natures, by false & coloured infor∣mations, to serue their owne turnes, and to beguile their great freindes: they bring them in hatred of all those, which builde vpon the good zeale of vertuous founders. Which thing rea∣cheth so farre, and to so many, as either the possibilitie to en∣ioye their benefit doth, or the praise of their doing, to procure the like: or the protection of posteritie, which cannot but la∣ment the great misuse, and foull ouerthrow of their ancestours good & most godly meaning. They cast all mē in feare of them to be likewise forced in their best interest, as a principle to ty∣rannie, and make them be odious to all, whom they would seeme to honour aboue all. The worst kinde of caterpillours, in countenaunce fine and neate, in speeche delicate and diuine, in pretence holy and heauenly, in meaning verie furies, and di∣uells: to themselues scraping howsoeuer they couer: to nobi∣litie and countenaunce, whatsoeuer shew they make, the verie seminarie of most daungerous dishonour, and therfore worthy to be thrust out, bycause they thirst so much. For if loue & ho∣nour be the treasures of nobility, the contrarie meane howsoe∣uer it be coloured deserues coudgelling out, whē it croutcheth most. It is no dishonour to nobilitie, not to haue their will, but it is their greatest disgrace to yeilde to that, by vnreasona∣ble

desire, which they ought not to will, and so make a diuorse betwene honestie and honour, which is vnseemely, seeing ho∣nestie, how basely soeuer some ruffians regard it, is the verie mother to honour of greatest moment, and in the best kinde. That such honorable natures yeelde to such importunate pro∣moters, halfe against their will, bycause otherwise they cannot be rid of them: their owne and honorable contentment doth oftimes proue, when they haue bene aunswered truely & dueti∣fully, by such either companies, or particulars, as haue preferred plaine trueth, before painted colours, whereby noble disposi∣tions do well declare to the world, how vnwilling they be to force order by fauour, if they be enfourmed of the truth: which will alway proue the enfourmers warrant, and foile such fetchers, when it comes to the hearing. And as the learned Quintilian sayth,* 1.13 that in a grammariā it is a vertue not to seeme to know all: so sayth pollicy that in the verie highest, it is not good to do all, that authoritie and interest in the extremitie of right maie do, with some warrant to it selfe, though with small liking, where it goeth. Mine antecedent is of mine owne pro∣fession, which beareth blame of to much boldnesse, and hath bene thought to presumptuous for knowledg,* 1.14 as Rhemmius Pa∣laemon one of our coate, was wount to brag, that learning began to liue, and should die with him: My consequent concerneth my countrey, and good will to nobilitie, which as in degree it can do most, so were it great pitie that it should be vsed, but to worke the best. My chalenge is to those infamous meanes, which dishonour their honorable patrones, defeat honest men of best education, disturbe the state euen while they liue, poison the posteritie by their president, euen when they are dead▪

Now if choice had taken place in the beginning, such impu∣dent wittes had wonne no place, and noble patrones had sha∣ked of such sutes. For as deepe waters do seeme not to runne bycause of their stillnesse: so true vertue and honest learning will tary their calling, and nor stirre to soone, to set forth their stuffe, though they be the deepest and most worthy the place. I must craue pardon: a well affected maister speaketh for all poore and toward scholers, well nusled in learning, well giuen in liuing, and ill thwarted in liuinges, by such visardes of coun∣terfect

countenaunces, which one may more then halfe gesse, what they will receiue, when none seeth but the offerer: which dare themselues offer such dishonorable requestes to those personages, at whose countenaunces, they ought in conscience to tremble, if that impudencie, which first hath reiected God secretly, and all goodnesse openly, had not tyrannised them to much, so vilely to abuse, where they ought to honour. The consideration of the good, the canuasing for the ill, hath ca∣ryed me from colledges, though not from colleginers, where for necessarie roomes there must be boursares, and why not of the learned sorte? Which the more towarde they be, the more trusty they will proue, and cheifly to the colledge, which auaunced them for value. Neuer wonder if he do sacrifice to the purse, which was admitted either for it, or by it. And yet there is some wrong, to fill priuate purses for entring, and to punish the common, when they be entred. If they could vse it so, as to still it from those, which strayned it from them, when they were to enter, the cunning were great, and the deceit not amisse, where craft is allowed to deceiue the deceiuer. But the common wrings, for the priuate wrong, and there the iniury is.

2 1.15Preferment to degrees in schole may, nay in deede ought to be a mightie stripper of insufficiencie, bycause that way, the whole countrie is made either a lamentable spoile to bould ig∣norance, or a laudable soyle to sober knowledge. When a scho∣ler is allowed by authoritie of the vniuersite, to professe that qualitie, whereof he beares the title, and is sent abroad with the warrant of his commencement, and want of his cunning, who made either fauour and friendship, either countenaunce or canuase, or some other sleight the meane to enstawle him, what must our common countrie then say, when she heareth the bragge of the vniuersities title sound in her eares, & findes not the benefit of the vniuersitie learning to serue her in neede? Shee must needes thinke that the vnlearned and ignorant crea∣ture is free from blame, bycause he sought to countenaunce himselfe, as the customarie led him: but she must needes thinke her selfe not onely not bound to the vniuersitie, but shamefully abused, nay most vnnaturally offered to the spoile of ignorance and insufficiencie by the vniuersitie, to whom committing her

sight shee is dealt with so blindly, in whom reposing her trust, she is betrayed so vntruely. For what is it to say in common collection, when the vniuersitie preferreth any, to degree: but as if she should protest thus much. Before God and my countrie, to whom I owe my selfe & my seruice, whereof the one I cannot deceiue, the other I ought not, I do knowe this man, whom I now prefer to this degree, in this facultie, in the sufficiencie of abilitie, which his title pretendeth, not perfunc∣torilie taken knowledge of, but thoroughly examined by me, to be well able to execute in the common weale of my coun∣trie, that qualitie in art and profession, which his degree en∣doweth him with: and that my countrie may rest vpon my credit in securitie for his sufficiencie: and betrust her selfe vn∣to him vpon my warrant, which I do seale with the publike acknowledging of him to be such a one, as his title emporteth, being consideratly & aduisedly bestowed vpon him by me, as I will answere almightie God in iudgemēt, & my countrie in my cōscience & vpō my credit. Now what if he be not such a one? where thē is your aduisednesse? where thē is your credit? where thē is then your conscience? nay where thē is your God whom ye called to witnesse? What if the vniuersitie knew be∣fore, that he neither was such a one, neither like euer to proue any such? let him that weyeth this, if it be to light, reiect it as counterfect. Let the earnest professours of the truest religion in the vniuersities at this day call their consciences to counsell, and redresse the defect, for their owne credit, and the good of their countrie. If it shall please the vniuersities, to preferre these considerations of countrie and conscience, before any priuate persuasion (which if it were roundly repelled a while, would neuer be so impudent, as so to intrude it selfe) the matter were ended, and despaire that way would leaue rowme to learning: and send such fellowes to those faculties, which were fitter for them: and not suffer them vnder the titles of learning, to sup∣plant the learned, and forstaull away their liuinges: to the dis∣couraging of the right student in deede, and the defeating of the state. For if ye rip the cause why they seeke to set foorth thē selues, with such forraine feathers, being vnlikely to looke on, in their owne coloures, if the eye might behold that which the

minde conceiueth, ye shall finde that their desire to gaine vn∣der honorable titles, is the verie grounde whereupon they goe: which they seeke by indirect wayes, bycause they feele them selues to be of no direct worth. But what fooles be good scho∣lers in deede, to lende such dawes their dignities, vnder that borowed habit, to rob them of preheminence, and to seeme to be eagles, where they be but bussardes? Nay do they not dis∣credit the vniuersitie more? as if they there were either so sim∣ple, as they could not descrie a calfe, or so easie to be entreated, as when they had discried it, they would sweare by perswasion, that the calfe were a camell? good my maisters make not all priestes that stand vpon the bridge as the Poope passeth. For then the cobler as one consecrated, bycause his person was in compasse, and his showes with in hearing, will sure be a priest, and set nothing by his naule, and as good as you and as fit for a benefice, as those that came to take orders in deede, and de∣serued them in doing. Looke to it betimes and lende not your garmentes to set forth bastardt and bold suters, for feare your selues be excluded, when ye entend to sue, both your labour and your loue being lost, through your owne follie.

To seeme is not so much in weight as to be, but in paines it is much more. To counterfeat vertue, and to auoide spying, re∣quireth a long labour, and dayly new deuises: to be vertuouse in deede, and learned in deede, craues labour at the first, and lendes leysure in the end, borne out by it selfe, neuer nee∣ding any vele. And therefore great warines must be vsed to discerne and shake of the counterfeat smaller consideration will soone finde, and sooner content sufficient stuffe. Let deepe dissembling and dubling hypocrisie leape the ladder, & honest learning be beholder the while. In these pointes to haue wor∣thinesse preferred, and to haue choice to seeke, and saue it, if a teacher deale thus earnestly, as me thinke I do now, he may de∣serue pardon as I hope I shall haue, considering his end, to him selfe ward is delite, to his charge is their profit: to his countrie is soūd stuffe sent from him. And can he be but grieued to see the effect so disorderly defeated, wherunto with infinite toile, with incōparable care, with incredible paines, he did so orderly pro∣ceed? I take it very tollerable for any, that hath charge of nūber

& multitude to be carefull for their good, not only in priuate gouernmēt, but also in publike protectiō, so farre, as either the honestie of the cause, or the dutie to magistrate, will maintaine his attēpt. As truely in learning & learned executiōs, me thinke it concerneth all men to be very carefull, bycause the thing tu∣cheth themselues so neare in age, and theirs so much in youth.

For the third part which consisteth in auauncement to li∣uinges,3 1.16 as it is commonly handled by the highest in state, and eldest in yeares, which haue best skill to iudge, & least neede to be misled: so it needes least precept: bycause the misse there is mostwhat without amendes, being made by great warrant: and the hitting right is the blessed fortune of ech kinde of state, when value is in place, whence there is no appeale, but plea∣sure in the perfit: pitie in imperfection: the common good ei∣their caried to ruine by intrusion of insufficiencie, or strongly supported by sufficient staie. Repulse here is a miserable stripp, that insufficiencie should be fuffered to growe vp so high, and not be hewed downe before. And some great iniurie is offered to the bestowers of prefermentes, that they are made obiectes to the dāger of insufficiēt boldnes, which ought to be cut of by sufficiēt modestie, who pretēdeth the claime to be her owne of dutie, and to whom the patrones, would rediliest yeild, if they could discerne, & were not abused by the worthy themselues, which lend the vnworthy the worth of their countenance to de∣ceiue the disposers, and to beguile their owne selues. But blind bayard, if he haue any burdē that is worth the taking downe, & bestowing somwhere else, wilbe farre bolder thē a better horse, & so farre from shame, as he will not shrinke to offer himselfe to the richest sadle, being in deede no better then a blinde iade and seeking to occupie the stawle where Bucephalus the braue horse of duety ought to stand. And in this case of preferrement, store is lightely the greatest enemie to the best choice, bycause in number no condition wilbe offered, which will not be ad∣mitted, though some do refuse. The preuenting of all or most of these inconueniences, I do take to be in the right sorting of wittes at the first, when learning shall be left to them alone, whom nature doth allow by euident signes, and such sent a∣waye to some other trades, as are made to that ende. Wherby

the sorters are to haue thankes in the ende of both the parties, which finding themselues fitted in the best kinde of their na∣turall calling, must of necessitie honour them, which vsed such foresight in their first bestowing.

Thus much haue I marked in clipping of, of that multitude which oppresseth learning with too too many, as too too many wheresoeuer they be, ouercharge the soile in all professions. For the matter wheron to liue iustly and truly being within com∣passe, and the men which must liue vpon it, being still without ende, must not desire of maintenaunce specially if it be ioyned with a porte, wring a number to the wall, to get wheron to liue? I neede pinch no particular where the generall is so sore gauled. Marke but those professions and occupations, which be most cloyed vp with number, whether they be bookish or not, and waye the poorer sort, wheron at the last the pinching doth light, though it passe many handes before, if to great a multitude making to great a state do not proue a shrew, then am I deceyued: so that it were good there were stripping vsed, and that be time in yonger yeares. For youth being let go for∣ward vpon hope, & chekt with dispaire while it rometh with∣out purueyaunce, makes marueilous a doe before it will die. And if no miserable shift will serue at home, verie defection to the foe, and common enemie will send them abrode, to seeke for that, which in such a case they are sure to finde. Wherefore as countenaunce in the ouerflowing number, which findeth place in a state doth infect extremely, by seeking out vnlawfull and corrosiue maintenaunce: so roming in the vnbestowed offaull, which findes no place in a state, doth festure fellonly, by seeking to shake it, with most rebellious enterprises.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Necessity.
• * 1.2

  Xenop. 1, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  Lawe.
• * 1.4

  Two obie∣ctions a∣gainst re∣straint by lawe.
• * 1.5

  Choice.
• * 1.6

  What wit is fittest for lear∣ning in a monar∣chie.
• * 1.7

  A wit for learning in a mo∣narchie.
• * 1.8

  Schoole choice.
• * 1.9

  Admission into colle∣ges.
• 1 1.10

  Offic. 2.
• 2 1.11

  The main rot of the Romaine empire.
• * 1.12

  The abu∣sing of great per∣sonages.
• * 1.13

  Quintilian
• * 1.14

  Palaemon▪
• 2 1.15

  Prefermēt to degrees
• 3 1.16

  Auaunce∣ment to li∣uinges.