Of education, especially of young gentlemen in two parts, the second impression with additions.

CHAP. XIV. Of travelling into Forreign Countries.

1. THE Advantages of Travel are, 1. to learn the Languages, Laws, Customes, and understand the Government, and interest, of other Nations. 2. To produce confident and comely behavior, to perfect conversation and discours. 3. To satisfy their minds with the actual beholding such rarities, wonders, and curiosities, as are heard or read of. It brings us out of the company of our Relations, acquain∣tances, and familiars; making us stand upon our guard, which renders the mind more dili∣gent, vigorous, brisk, and spiritful. It shews us, by consideration of so many various humors, and manners, to look into and form our own; and by tasting perpetually the varieties of Na∣ture, to be able to judg of what is good and better. And it is most useful for those, who by living at home, and domineering amongst ser∣vants, &c. have got an habit of surlines, pride, insolence, or other resty and slovenly custom. As also for those, who are entangled with un∣fitting companions, friends, loves, servants. For those, who are seized upon with the vices of their own Country, such with us are Drink∣ing, rusticity, sowrnes in conversation, lazines, &c. and then, every one must be sent into the place most proper to reform him; as Drunken∣nes

is not much used in France; less in Italy and Spain. Debauchery with Women not so frequent in Germany, Flanders, &c. Gaming is common every where, but less in Italy. Quar∣relling dangerous in Italy, and Spain. Prodigality is often helped by setting a certain allowance, in a place where he cannot be trusted, where he is necessitated to live within his compass; or in prison; or shamefully run away without paying his host. It is also profitable for all persons learned, inquisitive, and curious: who, by the conversation of learned Men, and use of Books unusual with us, and Libraries, may very much augment their knowledg, as well as their experience.

2. I WOULD not advise any young man to go abroad without an Assistant or Governor, a Scholar: one able to instruct him in such in∣genious Arts, as are fitting for him to know; to chuse his companions (else a young man left to himself, not having to employ his time, must of necessity fall to debauchery, and evil company, who are alwaies ready to seize upon young straies;) to assist him in sicknes, or any other necessity; to advertise him of his fai∣lures; to exact the performance of his studies, exercises, and emploiments; to husband his al∣lowance; to keep him company, and furnish him good discourse, and good example.

3. WHOEVER would have his Son molded upon the form of such a Nation, must send him thither young; that his tongue may be plied to their Language, and his whole carri∣age imbibe, by imitation, their manner and

fshion, before tincted with any other. But if that design be not regarded (as I conceive it not very convenient for any one to quit his own Country customs, [customs, I say, not vices]) then it is better to travel when they arrive at some judgment, to discern better from worse; when able to furnish discourse, and by that means enter gratefully into conversation. Whereas being sent young, and having no knowledg or experience, they cannot advan∣tage themselves abroad, but are there in a kind of amazednes; variety of objects, which they nei∣ther understand, nor value, confounding, rather then edifying, them. And truly I conceive the cheif reason, why Travellers have so little (especially good) conversation of the natives, to be, because of the jealousy they have of young Travellers; that nothing is to be advan∣ced by their conversation worthy the trouble of their bad Language, impertinent discourse, silly questions (for such those demands seem to be, which concern things to them familiar and obvious) and frequent visits. Methinks therefore, it were better every one to be educa∣ted at home, to the subjection and obedience of his own Country Laws, and Customs; (ex∣cept the Laws and Government be subverted, as they lately were; and except there be some such Nation in the World, as admire all Laws and Customs but their own.) Etcocles would not give hostages to Antipater of the youth, but of grown Men. And the Persians, when wanting a King, they sent for some of the Royall Family, then hostages at Rome, were afterwards displeased at, and cut them off, as not agreeing with the manners and customs of

their Country. Besides 'tis better they should stay, till by instruction and study they have arrived to a capacity of employing their time profitably and delightfully by themselves; with∣out being (as too many are) forced to seek divertisement with others: then leave their Country at that age, when they should be ha∣bituated and molded into the Laws of it. And this is the reason, why not knowing their na∣tive duty, and living as strangers, licentiously, and not according to the best examples abroad; they bring home instead of solid virtue, for∣malities, fashions, grimaces, and at best a volu∣bility of talking non-sense, &c. Yet some, perhaps, think them then well educated; and that forreign vanity is preferable to home-discre∣tion. This is also the reason why they are forced, for passing their time, to apply them∣selves to such conversation as they can find; and good company being very rare and shy, but bad alwaies ready, and offering themselves, 'tis no wonder if they run into extravagant ex∣pences, as well as evilnes of manners. Or if they escape these, then the Fencing, Dancing, and Language-Master catch them, from whom picking up some scraps and shreds of discourse, at home they vent them for laces and rubans. Or at best of all, they sow but gape-seed, which, if well husbanded, yeilds them a goodly crop of wonders in their own Country.

4. EXERCISES commonly learn'd in Tra∣vel are Dancing, Fencing, Riding, to which some add Vaulting, and anciently Swimming, (for which reason Suetonius takes notice of it as a strange thing, that C. Caligula, so good at other

exercises, could not swim: He observes that Augustus instructed himself his grand-children to write and swim; Swimming also was pub∣licly taught at Athens) Music, and Designing. And these, I conceive, might as well, if not better, be learned in our own Country; were it not either for the sloth or opiniatrety of our Nation. The use of dancing and fencing is suf∣ficiently, if not too much, known; riding ren∣ders him master of the noblest and usefullest of all Beasts; Vaulting makes the body active, but else is not of so great use as wrestling were, if in fashion; or swimming; which is both more healthful, and many times proves to be of great consequence and necessity. Music I advise not; since to acquire any considerable perfe∣ction in it, takes up too much time; and to understand little of it, is neither graceful, sa∣tisfactory, nor durable. To thrum a Guitar to 2 or 3 Italian Ballad tunes, may be agreeable for once, but often practised is ridiculous. be∣sides I do not remember to have seen any Gentleman, tho very diligent and curious abroad, to qualify himself with that skill, but when he came to any maturity, he wholly re∣jected it. Designing I advise to, but only as a parergon, not an emploiment. And the small Mathematics Strangers learn in France serve to little, besides getting mony to the Teacher.

Rules in Travelling. 1. Be very careful with what company you associate upon the way in pension, lodgings, &c. But make no such fa∣miliarity (except you have of a long time tri∣ed the person) as not to leave your self liber∣ty to come off when you please. Neither be ready to make or accept assignations of meetings,

at Taverns, &c. Especially be not the first motioner. Much time is lost, ill acquaintance got, mony spent, and many mishaps come by it. Besides they beget and draw in one ano∣ther, the most idle alwaies contriving to twist in another meeting.

2. Suspect all extraordinary and groundless ci∣vility of foreigners, as a design upon your purse; and what mony you lend upon the way to Strangers, count it given, not lent. Nor ever declare what mony or Jewels you have (of which notwithstanding you ought to have a reserve, not to be touched but upon extra∣ordinary occasions:) but alwaies make your self poorer then you are.

3. Make even with your host for pension, and all other demands, at the end of every month, and take his hand to an acquittance; for by that means you hinder all after-reckon∣ings; and they are wont, at your leaving them, to pick some quarrel, or seek some pretence upon you to get more of your mony. And so upon a journy, when you are not at an Ordi∣nary, reckon with your Host after supper. And where you never mean to return, extend your liberality at your first coming, or occasi∣onally as you have need of them, and defer it not till your departure.

4. Injuries from Strangers, especially in their own Country, are easily, safely, and discreetly, put up; but never safely revenged, where they have more friends, and power, then your self. Especially beware of intrigues with Women: infinite quarrels and Tragedies have begun there.

5. For health, without which you can do

nothing. When you begin (especially a long Journy) for three or four of the first daies, or meals at least, abate a third of your ordinary eating, the like do also at your arrival to rest, tilll your body be somewhat accustomed to the alteration. In travelling, especially in hot weather, drink as little as you can; especially by the way, for that increaseth your thirst, heateth, and disposeth you to a feaver. Mix water with wine, but water alone to one sub∣ject to thirst, makes him more thirsty.

6. If you find your self indisposed, of fea∣verish, throw in a glister, miss a meal or two, cover your self well in bed, that your body may transpire or sweat, or else let blood. But if it seems by your wearines, unquietnes, di∣sturbed sleep, high pulse, pain, &c. that it tends to a real sicknes, call the Physician betimes.

7. Have with you a little Venice-treacle, or some such Antidote; that if you eat any bad meat or drink, go to bed presently after sup∣per, or find any thing heavy on your stomack, or be tired with a long, wet, or tedious Jour∣ny, by taking a little of it, you may restore your self. Lucatellos balsom also (if well made) serves against ulcers, wounds, aches, galls, brui∣ses by falls, and like accidents.

8. If your occasions require you to voi∣age in hot weather, be very careful to preserve your head from the heat of the Sun; be very abstemious in your diet, and take the best care you can, your body be open. Accidental heat also is best expelled by transpiration.

9. Drink not before you eat, for that quench∣eth appetite; nor at any time without eating, especially no mornings drinks, and beware of

raw fruit, the most pleasant and newly ga∣thered commonly is worst; corrected much by eating bread with it.

10. Temperance, chastity, and moderate ex∣ercise are the great advancers of health and long life. De resto in every Country observe the rules of health, practised by the discreetest Inhabitants.