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TAke good heed that you be not transported with anger, when it chances that the servants exclaim a∣gainst your children, Inform your self gently of the subject of their plaints and tears; and even when you
shall finde out that your servants were in fault, never reprehend them in the childrens presence, for fear they should thereupon grow insolent, and should from thence take an occasion to be absolute in all things, and to exercise a petty-tyranny over your domesticks, upon the assurance of being supported by you in their self∣wills.
But if on the contrary your servants have chanced to say or to do some∣thing that is bad in the presence of your children; although otherwise they may be excusable, yet fail not to testify your being displeased, and to reprehend them vigorously before them. The childe will become wiser, says Solomon, by the chastisement of the culpa∣ble, and of him who gives him evil ex∣ample, Prov. 21.11.
Leave them not alone but as little as may be with the domesticks, and e∣specially with Lacquais and Foot-boys. These kinde of persons to insinuate themselves and to get the favour of
the children, please them ordinarily with nothing but sottish follies, and instill nothing into them but the love of play, of divertisement, and of va∣nity; and are only capable to cor∣rupt the best natures, and such as are most inclinable to goodness.
St. Jerome after he had recommen∣ded to a Lady of quality to use great circumspection in the choice of such Maids as she was to take to accom∣pany her Daughter and to ferve her; counsels her, not to suffer them to make any particular friendship with them, but to hinder them from talk∣ing together in private, and from making between themselves certain petty-mysteries of I know not how ma∣ny things.
This great man knew the danger there is in leaving children to take too much liberty with all sorts of domesticks; and how much it is to be dreaded, that this familiarity should come at last to make them lose their Innocence.