That both young boyes, and young maidens are to be put to learne. Whether all boyes be to be set to schoole. That to many learned be to burdenous: to few to bare: wittes well sorted ciuill, missorted seditious. That all may learne to write and read without daunger. The good of choice, and ill of confusion. The children which are set to learne, hauing either riche or poore freindes: what order and choice is to be vsed in admitting either of them to learne. Of the time to chuse.

Now that the thinges be appointed, wherwith the minde must be first furnished, to make it learned, and the bodie best exercised, to keepe it healthfull, we are next to consider of those persons, which are to be instructed in this furniture, and to be preserued by this exercise: which I take to be children of both sortes, male and female, young boyes and young maidens, which though I admit here generally, without difference of sex, yet I restraine particularly vpon difference in cause, as herafter shall appeare. But young maidens must giue me leaue to speake of boyes first: bycause naturally the male is more worthy, and politikely he is more employed, and therfore that side claimeth this learned education, as first framed for their vse, and most properly belonging to their kinde: though of curtsie and kindnesse they be content to lend their female in youth, the vse of their traine in part, vpon whom in age they bestow both themselues, and all the frute of their whole traine.

It might seeme sufficient for the determining of this case to say onely thus much: that they must needes be boyes which are to be trayned in this sorte, as I haue declared, bycause the bringing vp of young maidens in any kynd of learning, is but an accessory by the waye. But for so much as there be many considerations in the persons, both of boyes and maidens worthy the deciding, I meane to entreat of them both somwhat largely: and as neare as I can, to resolue both my selfe and my reader in some pointes of controuersie and necessitie, or rather in some pointes of apparent necessities, being out of all controuersie. For the male side, that doubt is long ago out of doubt, that they be to be set to schoole, to qualifie themselues, to learne how to be religious and louing, how to gouerne and obey, how to fore cast and preuent, how to defende and assaile, and in short, how to performe that excellently by labour, wherunto they are borne but rudely by nature. For the very excellency of executions and effectes where by we do so great things, as we vonder at our selues in all histories and recordes of time, (which be but stages for people to gase on, and one to maruell at an others doings) testifieth and confirmeth that it were great pitie, that such towardnesse should be drowned in vs for lacke of education, which neuer comes to proofe, but where education is the meane. That we can proue learned, the effect doth shew, but that not vnlesse we learne, the defect declares. That our bodies can do great thinges, healthfull strength is witnesse to it selfe: but where weaknesse is, what doinges there be, verie want will pronounce. But now in the way of this so commended a traine, there be two great doubtes which crosse me. 1. The first is, whether all children be to be set to schoole, without restraint to diminish the number. 2. The second is, how to worke restraint, if it be thought needefull. Touching the first question, whether all children be to be set to schoole or no, without repressing the infinitie of multitude, it is a matter of great weight, and not only in knowledge to be resolued vpon, but also in deede so to be executed, as the resolution shall probably giue sentence. For the bodie of a common weale in proportion is like vnto a naturall bodie. In a naturall bodie, if any one parte be to great, or to small, besides the eye sore it is mother to some euill by the verie misfourming, wherupon great distemperature must needes follow in time, and disquiet the whole bodie. And in a bodie politike if the like proportion be not kept in all partes, the like disturbance will crepe thorough out all partes. Some by to much will seeke to bite to sore, some by to litle will be trode on to much: as both will distemper: which if it fortune not to kill in the ende, yet it will disquiet where it greiues, and hast forward the ende. But though the pestering of number do ouerlaie the most professions and partes of any common weale, and harme there where it doth so ouercharge, yet I will not medle with any, but this of learning and the learner, which I haue chosen to be my peculiar subiect. Wherof I saye thus, that to many learned be to burdenous, that to few be to bare, that wittes well sorted be most ciuill, that the same misplaced be most vnquiet and seditious.

1. To many burdens any state to farre: for want of prouision. For the rowmes which are to be supplyed by learning being within number, if they that are to supply them, grow on beyound number how can yt be but too great a burden for any state to beare? To haue so many gaping for preferment, as no goulfe hath stoore enough to suffise, and to let them rome helpeles, whom nothing else can helpe, how can it be but that such shifters must needes shake the verie strongest piller in that state where they liue, and loyter without liuing? which needeles superfluitie fleeting without seat, what ill can it but breede? A dangerous residence it is at hoome, still seeking shiftes to liue as they may, though with enemitie to order, which neede cannot see. A perilous searcher it is abroode, to seeke to fish in a troubled water, if any cause promote their quarrell, bycause the cleare is not for them, which they haue sounded allready. Sure neede is an imperious mistres to force conclusions, whether shee build vpon fantsie and desire, which is a maniheaded neede, euen before neede, and mostwhat without neede: or vpon meere lacke and want in deede, which though it haue but one head, yet that one is exceeding strong, importunate, and furiouse. And shee hath at hand to salue her mischiefes, a ready and an ordinarie excuse, wherewith she will seeme to craue pardon for all that is done by needy men, as there vnto enforced by her ineuitable violence. A violent remedy, which doth not heale infections, but will alleage cause, where to haue mischiefes excused and foregiuen.

Wherfore if these mens misdemeanour come of their owne ill, which prouision cannot preuent, bycause in best prouision ill will be ill, so farre as it dare shew, where wealth workes wantonnes, it deserues correction and punishment. If it come of necessitie, for want of foresight in publike gouernment, to helpe the common, from common blame, and to prouide for the priuate: it would be amended and not suffered to runne, till the harme being receiued and felt, cause the question be moued, whether such a mischiefe proceede from priuate insolence, or publike negligence. For as the priuate is to pay, if it do not performe, when the publike hath prouided: so the publike must pardon, if for insufficient foresight, the priuate proue dissolute, and lend the state a blow. But for my number I neede not to dwell any longer in to many, for troubling all with to many wordes, seeing all wise men see, and all learned men say, that it is most necessary to disburden a common weale of vnnecessary number, and multitude in generall, which in some countries they compassed by brothelry, and common stewes, to let the yong spring: in some by exposition and spoile of enfantes, both contrary to nature, and countermaunded by religion: but according to their pollicie and commaunded by their countries. In particular disposing of them that liued, they cast their account, and as the proportion of their states did suffer: so did they allote them with choice, and constrained them to obey. If such regard for multitude be to be had in any one braunche of the common weale, it is most needefull in schollers. For they professe learning, that is to say the soule of a state: and it is to perilous to haue the soule of a state to be troubled with their soules, that is necessary learning with vnnecessary learners, or the publike body with their priuate, which is the common wealth with their priuate want. For in all proportion, to much is to bad, and to much out of all proportion, and to haue to much euen of the soule, is not the soundest, where her offices be appointed and lymited in certaine. Superfluitie and residence bring sickenes to the body, and must not to much then infect the soule sore, being in a sympathie with the body? Scholers by reason of their conceit which learning inflameth, as no meane authority saith,53 become to imperiall to rest upon a litle: and by their kinde of life which is allway idle they proue to disdainefull to deale with labour, vnlesse neede make them trot, or the Turkish captiuitie catch them, the greatest foe that can fall vpon idle people, where labour is looked for, and they not vsed to it. Contentment in aspiring, which is hard to such wittes, and patience in paines which they neuer learned, be the two cognisances, whereby to discerne a ciuill wit, and fit to enioye the benefit of his countrie. Now of all ouerflush in number, is not that most dangerous, which in conceit is loftie, and in life loytering, as the vnbestowed scoller by profession is?

To few be to bare and naked: bycause necessities must be supplyed, and that by the fittest. For whereas the defect of the fit enforceth supplement of the lookers on, though not the most likely, but whosoeuer they be, without further respect, then that they stand by, bycause neede bides no choyce where there is no pluralitie, and yet biddes pluralitie make choyce: there the vnsufficient seruice of necessarie seruices breedes much miscontentment, and more shaking to any state. And that chiefly in such pointes, as the state embraseth, and the feeble minister doth nothing but deface. So that the defeat of the generall purpose must be most imputed to the bare defect of insufficient persons. For as to many bringes surfettes, so to few breedes consumptions.

3. Wittes well sorted be most ciuill: This I say bycause to auoyd excessiue number, choice is one principall helpe: for in admitting to vses onely such as be fit, and seeme to be made for them, pares of the vnfit, and lesseneth the number, which yet would be lookt vnto, euen at the verie first. For euen he that is thought most vnfit, and is so in deede, yet will grieue at repulse, vnles ye repell him by preuention, ear he come to the sense and judgement to discerne what a heauie thing a flat repulse is. Which miscontentment if it range in a number, cannot be without daunger to the common body. As to the contrarie such wittes as be placed where the place needes them more then they the place, do performe with sufficiencie, and proceede with contentment of the state that enstawled them. The chiefe signes of ciuilitie be quietnesse, concord, agrement, fellowship and friendship, which likenesse doth lincke, vnliknesse, vndoeth: fitnesse maketh fast, vnfitnesse doth loose: proprietie beares vp, improprietie pulleth downe: right matching makes, mismatching marres. How then can ciuill societie be preserued, where wittes of vnfit humours for seruice, are in places of seruice, by appointment, either vnaduisedly made, or aduisedly marred. Is there any picture so ill fauoured, being compound of incompatible natures, as an execution is, being committed to a contrarie constitution? If fire be to enflame, and cause thinges burne, where water should coole, and be meane to quench, is the place not in danger? If that wit fall to preach, which were fitter for the plough, and he to clime a pulpit, which is made to scale a walle, is not a good carter ill lost, and a good souldier ill placed? If he will needes lawe it, which careth for no lawe, and professe iustice that professeth no right, hath not right an ill caruer, and iustice a worse maister? If he will deale with physicke whose braines can not beare the infinite circumstances which belong thereunto, whether to maintaine health, or to restore it: doth he any thing else, but seeke to hasten death, for helping the disease? to make way to murther, in steede of amendement? to be a butchars prentice for a maister in physike? And so is it in all kindes of life, in all trades of liuing, where fitnes and right placing of wittes doth worke agreement and ease, vnfitnes and misplacing haue the contrarie companions, disagreement and disease.

4. Againe wittes misplaced most vnquiet and seditious: as any thing else strayned against nature: light thinges prease vpward, and will ye force Fire downe? Heauie thinges beare downeward: and will ye haue Leade to leape vp? An imperiall witte for want of education and abilitie, being placed in a meane calling will trouble the whole companie, if he haue not his will, as winde in the stomacke: and if he haue his will, then shall ye see what his naturall did shoote at. He that beareth a tankarde by meanesse of degree, and was borne for a cokhorse by sharpenes of witte, will keepe a canuase at the Conduites, tyll he be Maister of his companie. Such a stirring thing it is to haue wittes misplaced, and their degrees mislotted by the iniquitie of Fortune, which the equitie of nature did seeme to meane vnto them.

Plato in his wished common weale, and his defining of naturall dignities, appointeth his degrees and honors, where nature deserueth by abilitie and worth, not where fortune freindeth by byrth and boldnes, though where both do ioyne singularitie in nature, and successe in fortune, there be some rare iewell. Hereupon I conclude, that as it necessary to preuent to great a number for the quantitie thereof: so it is more then necessarie, to prouide in the necessarie number for the qualitie thereof, wherein restraint it selfe will do much good for the one, and choice in restraint will do more for the other. Sure all children may not be set to schole, nay not though priuate circumstance say yea. And therefore scholes may not be set vp for all, though great good will finde neuer so many founders, both for the place wherein to learne, and for the number also which is for to learne: that the state may be serued with sufficiencie enough, and not be pestered with more than enough. And yet by the way for writing and reading so they rested there, what if euerie one had them, for religion sake, and their necessarie affaires? Besides that in the long time of their whole youth, if they minded no more, these two were easely learned, at their leasure times by extraordinary meanes, if the ordinarie be daintie and no schoole nigh. Euerie parish hath a minister, if none else in the parish, which can helpe writing and reading.

Some doubt may rise here betwene the riche and poore, whether all riche and none poore, or but some in both maye and ought to be set to learning. For all in both that is decided alreadie, No: bycause the whole question concerneth these two kindes, as the whole common weale standeth vpon these two kindes. If all riche be excluded, abilitie will snuffe, if all poore be restrained, then will towardnesse repine. If abilitie set out some riche, by priuate purses for priuate preferment: towardnesse will commende some poore to publike prouision for publike seruice: so that if neither publike in the poore, nor priuate in the riche do marre their owne market, me thinke that were best, nay that will be best, being ruled by their wittes to conceiue learning, and their disposition to proue vertuous. But how may the publike in the poore, and the priuate in the riche, make their owne market in the education of those whom they preferre to learning? I will tell ye how. The riche not to haue to much, the poore not to lacke to much, the one by ouerplus breadeth a loose and dissolute braine: the other by vnder minus a base and seruile conceit. For he that neuer needeth by supplie of freindes, neuer strayneth his wittes to be freind to himselfe, but commonly proues retchelesse till the blacke oxe tread vpon his toes, and neede make him trie what mettle he is made of. And he that still needeth for want of freindes being still in pinche holdes that for his heauen, which riddes him from neede, and serues that Saint, which serues his turne best, euen Neptune in shipwrackie. Wherby he maketh the right of his iudgement become bond for wealth: and the sight of his witte blinde for desire, such slauerie workes want, vnlesse Gods grace proue the staye, which is no line to common direction, though it be our onely hope, by waye of refuge. Now then if the wealthy parentes of their priuate patrimonie, and publike patrones of their supererogatorie wealth, will but driue to a meane in both these two mains, neither shall wealth make the one to wanton, nor want make the other to seruile: neither the one to leape to fast, for feare he loose some time, nor the other to hast to fast, for feare he misse some liuing. Sure to prouide for poore scholers but a poore patche of a leane liuing, or but some meane halfe, is more then halfe a maime, the desire to supplie that which wanteth, distracting the studie more by many partes, then that petie helpe, which they haue can possibly further it: bycause the charge to maintaine a scholer is great, the time to proue well learned, long, and when ripenesse is ready, there would be staye to chuse and time to take aduice, where neede turnes the deafe eare. The paterne of to prodigall wealth oftimes causeth the toward student to ouershoote himselfe by corrupt imitation, as brauerie and libertie be great allurers, where studie and staye pretend restraint. And therfore neither must to much be butte to allurementes, nor to litle a burden: to iudgement the one the meane to lewdnesse the other a maime to libertie. The midle sorte of parentes which neither welter in to much wealth, nor wrastle with to much want, seemeth fitteth of all, if the childrens capacitie be aunswerable to their parentes state and qualitie: which must be the leuell for the fattest to fall downe to, and the leanest to leape up to, to bring forth that student, which must serue his countrey best. Religion and learning will frame them in iudgement, when wealth and abilitie haue set them once on foote.

For the choice of wittes definitely, till they come to the time, or verie neare to it, when they are themselues naturally and for ripenesse of yeares to chuse their owne kinde of life, how so euer circunstance free, or binde their choice, I cannot say much, though I do see what other haue said in that behalfe. A quicke witte will take soone, a staid memorie will hold fast, a dull head may proue somwhat, a meane witte offers faire, praise bewrayeth some courage, awe some, in eche kinde there is likelyhood, and yet error in eche. For as there be faire blossomes, so there be nipping frostes. And till the daunger of reuolt be past, the quicke must be helde in hope, the dull without dispaire, the meane the meetest, if the sequele do aunswere. I can limit no one thing, though I see great shewes, where there is such vncertaine motion, both in soule and body, as there is in children. The maisters discretion in time and vpon triall, may see and say much, and in a number there will some leaders appeare of themselues, as some speciall deare in the whole heard. Where great appearance is, there one may prophecie, and yet the lying spirite may sit in his lippes. For God hath reserued, his calling and discouering houres, as all other future euentes to his owne peculiar and priuate knowledge: probabilities be our guides, and our coniectures be great, though not without exception. What kinde of witte I like best for my countrey, as most proper to be the instrument for learning, it shall appeare herafter. But for the first question of the two, it seemeth to me verie plaine that all children be not to be set to schoole, but onely such as for naturall wittes, and sufficient maintenance, either of their naturall parentes, or ciuill patrones, shall be honestly and wel supported in their study, till the common weale minding to vse their seruice, appoint their prouision, not in hast for neede, but at leasure with choice.