How to cut of most inconueniences wherwith schooles and scholers, maisters and parentes be in our schooling now most troubled. Wherof there be two meeanes, vniformitie in teaching and publishing of schoole orders. That vniformitie in teaching hath for companions dispatch is learning, and sparing of expenses. Of the abbridging of the number of bookes. Of curtesie and correction. Of schoole faultes. Of friendlinesse betwene parentes and maisters.

A great learned man73 in our dayes thought so much of the troublesome and toilsome life, which we teachers lead, as he wrate a pretie booke of the miseries of maisters. We are to thanke him for his good will: but when any kinde of life be it high, be it low, is not troubled with his proportion to our portion, we will yeild to misery. Our life is very painfull in deede, and what if beyond comparison painfull? Much a do we haue, and what if none more? Yet sure many as much, though they deale not with so many, and moe more miserable, bycause they better not so many. But I will neither rip vp those thinges, which seeme most restlesse in vs, though the argument offer spreding: neither will I medle with any other trade, no lesse troublesome then teaching, by comparing to seeme to lessen: bycause comparisons in miseries be vncomfortable to both, though some ease to either. To what purpose should I shew, why the maister blames this, the parent that, the child nothing more then the rod, though he will not but deserue it? Such a disease we haue to repine at the paine, and not to waye the offence, which deserueth the paine. Why beat ye him sayeth one? Why offendeth he sayeth none? so harde a thing it is to finde defense for right, so easie a thing it is to finde qualifying for wrong. Therefore to omit these vnpleasant rippinges, I will deale with the remedies how to cut of the most of those, which he calles miseries, I terme inconueniences, wherwith the trade of teaching at this day seemeth to haue a great conflict. Which counsell though it be first laid for the youngest scholers, yet may it well be translated further, and beseeme both the biggest, and best, in any learned course.

These remedies I take to be two: 1. The one vniformitie in teaching, which draweth after it, dispatch in learning, and sparing of expenses about to great a number of bookes.

2. The other is publike schoole lawes, set downe, and seen, which bring with them for companions agreement of parentes and teachers, continuance of scholers, conference to amend, comfort to freindes, and commoditie to the common countrey.

For vniformitie in teaching how many gaules that will heale, wherwith schooles be now greiued, it will then best appeare, when it shalbe shewed, what good it will worke, and how necessarie a thing it is, to haue all schooles reduced vnto it. That there is to much variety in teaching, and therfore to much ill teaching (bycause in the midst of many bypathes, there is but one right waye) he were senseles, that sees not: if he either haue taught, or haue bene taught himselfe. Which whence it springeth, diuersities of iudgement bewraie, that men haue gotten by better or worse training vp in youth: by lesse or more trauell in studie: by longer or shorter continuance at their booke: by liking or misliking some trade in teaching: by accommodating themselues to the parentes choice: and many wayes moe, which either brede varietie, or else be bred by varietie. But of all varieties there is none vayner, then when ignoraunce sweares that that is an aphorisme, the contrarie wherof sound knowledge hath set downe for a sure oracle. Now in this confusion of varieties what hinderance hath youth? what discredite receiue schooles? what inequalities be the Vniuersities molested with? what toile is it to Tutours? how small riddaunce to readers? when diuersities of groundworke do hinder their building, and the scholers weakenesse discrieth his maister? And yet oftimes the weake maister bringes vp a strong scholer, by some accident not ordinarie, and the cunninger man by some ordinarie let makes small shew of his great labour. Do not the learners also themselues commonly when they come to yeares and misse that commoditie, which ther maisters could not giue them, being very weake themselues, then blame their fortune and feele the want of foresight? For if varietie had bene wipte awaye by vniformitie, euen the weakest maister might haue done very well if he had had but a meane head to follow direction being set downe to his hand.

This pointe is so plaine as many of the best learned, and of the best teachers also oftimes complaine of it, and wish the redresse, though they still draw backe, and spare their owne pains for any thing they publish: perhaps not hauing the oportunitie and leasure which so great an enterprise craueth: perhaps being induced by hope that some other will start vp, and publish the amendment. Whereby all the youth of this whole Realme shall seeme to haue bene brought vp in one schoole, and vnder one maister, both for the matter and manner of traine, though they differ in their owne inuention which is priuate and seuerall to euery one by nature, though generall and one to euery one by art. Which thing must needes turne to the profit of the learner, whose straying shalbe straited, that he cannot go amisse: to the ease of the teacher whose labour shalbe lightened, by the easinesse of his curraunt: to the honour of the countrey, which thereby shall haue great store of sufficient stuffe: and the immortall renown of that carefull Prince which procured such a good. Which benefit say I must proceede from some vniforme kinde of teaching set downe by authoritie, that one waye to supplie all wantes, and no one to disdaine, where obedience is enioyned. And wheras difference in iudgement worketh varietie: consent in knowledge will plant vniformitie. Which consent, as it must be enforced by authoritie, so must it proceede from some likenesse of abilitie in teachers, namely in that thing wherof they are teachers: though both in executing the same, and for some other qualities they may differ much.

Now the onely waye to worke this likenesse or rather samenesse in abilitie, where otherwise the oddes is so odde, were to set downe in some certain plat, the best that may seeme to be, if that which is best in deede may not be had, as why not? both what and how to teach, with all the particular circunstances, so farre forth as they ordinarily do fall within common compasse, and may best be seeme the best ordered schooles, which both the meane teacher may wel attaine vnto, and the cunning maister may rest content with, and so they both in that pointe proue equall, while the meaner mounting vpword with fethers made for him, and the cunninger comming downward at the shew of the lure, they both meete in the middle waye, and flying forward like freindes, pay their price with their pastime, and mend their faire with their praye, no dishonour offered him, whom mo qualities do commend: and a great helpe to him that cannot swimme without. In whom diligence borne vp, will worke no lesse wonder, nay may fortune more, then greater learning in the other, whom either ouer weyning may make insolent, or loytering negligent. And sure as I may be deceiued herein, so haue I some reason very fauourable to my seeming, that it were more fitting for the common profit, to prouide a certaine direction to helpe the meane teacher, which will continue in the trade without either any or very late changing of his course, and so a long time do much good, then to leaue it at random to the libertie of the more learned, who commonly vse teaching, but to shift with for a time, and be but pilgrimes in the profession, still minding to remoue to some other kinde of life either of more ease, which allureth soone, or of more gaine, which enforceth sore. So that in the meane time the scholers cannot profit much, while the maisters deale like straungers, which entending one day to returne to their countrey, as nature calleth homeward, though profit bid tary, cannot haue that zealous care, which the naturall countrieman, and continuall trauellour of nature hath, and of duetie sheweth. And though conscience cause some odde honest man to worke well, and discharge his duetie in that rowling residence: yet neither be priuiledges generall, nor lawes leuelled after some few, and that foolish fellow was fretished for cold, which followed the fond swallow, that flew out to timely, and to farre before her fellowes. An order must be generall to the liking of the better, who should alwaye wishe it, and the leading of the weaker, who shall alway neede it.

If when this order for matter and manner of teaching shalbe set downe, the executor proue negligent, and prolong the effect, or else quite defeat it, by ill handling of that, which was well ment, the surueiors and patrones of schooles, must ouerlooke such teachers, of themselues if they can, if not they may call for the assistaunce of learning, which for cunning can, and of curtesie will seeke to further such a thing. Our preceptes be generall, the particular must perfourme, and amend his owne accident. I haue but sleightly noted the surface of vniformitie in teaching, and the disioynting of skill by misordered varietie, and yet who is so blinde as he may not thereby discerne, that the one strips away the euilles, which the other bringes in, and thereby cuttes of many encumbraunces from schooles?

Now vniformitie in teaching once obtained, doth not dispatch in learning incontinently follow? which consisteth in choice of the best and fittest authours at the first, and continuaunce in the same: in the best exercises and most proper to the childes ascent in learning: and generally in the maisters orderly proceeding, and methode in teaching: whereby the child shall not learne any thing, which he must or ought to forget, vpon his maisters better aduise: nor leaue any needefull thing vnlearned till his maister grow to better aduise. The maister himselfe shall not neede to chaunge his course, as he chaungeth his skill, now coursing on to fast by to much rashnes: now retiring to late by to louse repentaunce: finally neither the maister nor the scholer shall busie themselues to long about a litle, and neuer the better, nor hast to fast on, and neuer a whit the further. The best course being hit on at the first, as appointment may procure it, one thing helpeth an other forward naturally, without forcing: that which is first taught maketh way for that which must follow next, and continuall vse will let nothing be forgot, which is once well got, and the rising vp by degrees in learning will succede in proportion, with out losse of time or let of labour, either by lingring to long, or by posting to fast, which cannot now possibly be brought about, while thinges be left to the teachers discretion, whereof, as the most be not alway the best, so euen the verie best cannot alway hit those thinges, which in deede are best, while the customarie education is helde for a sanctuarie: alteration to the better is esteemed an heresie: allowance is measured by priuate liking: vnthankefulnes is made harbour to desert: and the very bookes which we vse be not appropriate to our vse. I touch no mo stoppes then may easily be remoued, if authoritie take the matter in hand. Priuate lettes must haue priuate lessons, and personall circumstance shall haue rowme to pleade in, at an other time.

These enormities then shew them selues, when children do chaunge both schooles and maisters: where alteration hindereth beyond all crie, the new maister either thinking it some discredit to himselfe to beginne where the old left, or misliking the choice which the former hath made, or in deede by dispraysing him to seeke to grace himselfe: or the order of his schoole not admitting the succession, as in deede they be all diuerse. Sometimes the boy being vngrounded, by his maisters ignorance if he could not, by his negligence if he did not the thing which he could, will not bende to be bettered, but must keepe the same countenaunce which he himselfe conceiueth of himselfe. And this commonly falles out so, when the parentes be peuish, and thinke their childe disgraced if he be once set backward (for so the tearme is) whereas in verie deede he is bidde but to looke backe, to see that which he neuer saw, and ought to haue seene verie substantially. Which disorder proceeding from the parentes ouerruleth vs all, causing great weakenes, and much mismatching in the fourmes of our schooles: so that we either cannot, or may not finde fault euen to amend it, whereas the order being one, and planted by authoritie, though the childe vse to chaunge often, yet his profiting is soone perceiued: and the parentes also wilbe well contented, when they suspect no partialitie by priuate passion, and see indifferencie in publicke prouision. Such be the frutes which varietie bringes foorth, perillous in great affaires, still gathering strength by traine in those petie principles: wheras to the contrarie vniformitie is full of contentment. Nothing continueth one in our schooles but the common grammar set furth by authoritie, which confirmeth mine opinion both by pollicie in the first setting out, and by profit in the long continuing, wherein we all agree perforce as in a case of higher countenaunce, and already ruled. Which booke whether it may stand still with some amendement, or of necessitie must be cast some other way, for better method, it shall then be seene when comparisons come in season, that the alteration may shew, whether there were cause to chaunge, or some iniurie offered to chaunge without cause. For both that booke, and all the like, which serue for direction and method must be fashioned to the matter which they seeme to direct by rule and precept, being not of themselues, but made to serue others. This we haue by it, that vniformitie out of al controuersie is best, but whether it selfe be best, that is yet in controuersie.

For sparing of expenses, the second commoditie which vniformitie bringes with her, this is my opinion: while it is left to the teachers libertie to make his owne choice, both for the booke which he will teach and the order how, betweene the varietie of iudgementes, and inequalitie of learning in teachers, which by order must be made one, by consent neuer will, the parentes purses are pretily pulled, and poore men verie sore pinched both with chaunge of bookes, the maister oft repealing his former choice: and also with number, while euery booke is commended to the buyer, which either maketh a faire shew to be profitable: or otherwise is sollicited to the sale, as in our dayes necessitie must sell, where such an ouerflush of bookes growes chargeable to the printer. For the old periode is returned, that Iuuenall found in his time, learned and vnlearned must needes write, he is marde that comes lag. Nay ordinarily some few leaues be occupied in the best chosen, and biggest booke, besides the oft leasing and much spoiling of them sachels and all, to their gaines it may be said that sell them, though to the parentes losse that buy them, and those of the meaner sort, whose children maintaine schooles most, and swarme thickest in all places and professions, which thing might be farre better vsed, if the best onely were bought, and with the losse of his bookes the childe lost no more. All which inconueniences may easily be remeadied, and with small adoe. For whatsoeuer is needeful to be vsed in schooles, may be verie well comprised in a small compasse, and haue all his helpes with him being gathered into some one pretie volume compounded of the marrow of many: neither will the charge be great, the ware being small, and our profession is not to perfit, but to enter. Neither yet hereby is any iniurie done to good writers, whose bookes may verie well tarie for the ripenes of the reader, and that place which is dew to them, in the ordinarie ascent of learning and studie, being no intruders into rowmes to meane for them, and content to take that place whereunto they are marshalled by their value, and degree: to their praise which made them, when the student can iudge: to the studentes profit, when he can vnderstand: and the fast retaining of them, when order maintanes memorie.

In our grammer schooles we professe the toungues nay rather the entraunce of toungues. Euerie profession that is penned in any toungue ministreth to her student those wordes that be proper to her owne subiecte. Which wordes be then best gotten when they follow the matter, as they will do most willingly in the peculiar studie of the same profession. If a grammarian therefore be entred to write, speake, and vnderstande pretily in some well chosen argument best to follow for aptnes ech way, though he neither know all, nor most wordes in any toungue, which is reserued to further studie: yet our schooles be discharged of their dewtie, in doing but so much. They that assigne grammer maisters wherein to trauell, appoint them histories, and poetes, though they make some choice of men, and some distinction of matter in regard of vertuous maners and purenes of stile. In our schooles what time will serue vs to runne ouer all these? nay to deale but with some few of them throughly? how then? Is not some litle well pickt, and printed alone the praise of our profession and the parentes ease? And be not the maine bookes to be consigned ouer to the right place in their owne calling? Some vaines be rapt, and will needes proue poetes, leaue them the art of poetrie, and the whole bookes and argumentes of poetes. Some will commend to memorie, and posteritie such actes and monumentes, as be worthy the remembrance: Let them haue the rules, whereby the penning of histories is directed to write thereby with order: and the matter of histories to furnish out their stile. If men of more studie and greater learning haue leysure and list to reade, they may vse histories for pleasure, as being but an after meates studie: neither tyring the braine, nor tediouse any way: as they be not generally to build on for iudgement: bycause ignorance of their circumstances make some difficultie in applying, and great daunger in prouing. They may also runne ouer poetes, when they are disposed to laugh, and to behold what brauery enthousiasme inspireth. For when the poetes write sadly and soberly, without counterfeating though they write in verse, yet they be no poetes in that kinde of their writing: but where they couer a truth with a fabulous veele, and resemble with alteration. We are therefore to cull out some of the best, and fittest for our introductorie, and to send away the rest to their owne place, in the peculiar professions, and that not in poetes and histories alone, but also in all other bookes whatsoeuer, which be at this day admitted into our schooles. The poetes wordes be verie good, and most significant, as it appeareth by Platoes whole penning, whose eloquence is thought fit for sainctes, if any heauenly creature had a longing to speake greeke. And in the latin they haue the same grace, in his iudgement, which best vnderstoode what wordes were best, as being himselfe the best, and eloquentest oratour, speaking of them in that booke,74 wherein he both sheweth his eloquence most, and vseth the personages of the most eloquent oratours, to deliuer his minde. The quantitie of syllabes is to be learned of them, to auoide mistiming, as the wise writer Horace pointeth the poet therfore first to frame the tender mouth of the yong learner.

Moreouer some verie excellent places most eloquently, and forcibly penned for the polishing of good manners, and inducement vnto vertue may be pickt out of some of them, and none more then Horace. We may therefore either vse them, with that choice: or helpe the pointe our selues if we thinke it good, and can pen a verse that may deserue remembraunce. Suche an helpe did Apollinarius offer vnto his time, as Sozomenus, and Socrates the scholer, report in their ecclesiasticall histories. For Iulian the renegate spiting at the great learning of Basil, Gregorie, Apollinarie, and many moe which liued in that time, which time was such a breeder of learned men, as in Christian matters and religion we reade none like, by decree excluded the christian mens Children from the vse of prophane learning wherin the christian diuines were so cunning as they stopt both his, and his fauorites mouthes with their owne learning, they passed them all so farre. Then Apollinarius conueighed into verses of all sortes, after the imitation of all the best prophane poetes diuine and holy argumentes gathered out of scripture whereby he met with Iulians edict, and furnished out his owne profession, with matter and argument of their owne. Now in misliking of profane arguments some such helpe may be had and appropriate to our youth. But there must be heede taken, that we plant not any poeticall furie in the childes habit. For that rapt inclination is to ranging of it selfe, though it be not helpt forward, where it is, and would not in any case be forced where it is not. For other writers, number and choice of wordes, smoothnes and proprietie of composition with the honestie of the argument must be most regarded. Quintilianes rule is very true and the verie best, and alway to be obserued, in chusing of writers for children to learne, to picke out such as will feede the wit with fairest stuffe, and fine the toungue with neatest speach. So that neither slight, and vnproper matters, though eloquentlie set foorth, neither weightie and wise being rudely deliuered be to be offered to children, but where the honestie and familiaritie of the argument is honored and apparelled with the finesse and fitnes of speach. Which thing if it be lookt vnto in planting vniformitie, and pointing out fit bookes, besides many and infinite commodities which will grow thereby to the whole realme, assuredly the multitude of many needelesse volumes, will be diminished and cut of. So that vniformitie in schooling may seeme very profitable seeing it will supplant so great defectes, as the likelyhood giues, and plant the redresse, which in nature it importeth: besides that which the common weale doth gaine by acquainting yong wittes euen from their cradeles, both to embrace and apply orderly vniformes, which in thinges subiect to sense is delitefull to behold: in comprehensions of the minde is comfortable to thinke on: in executions and effectes is the staie whereon we stand, and the steddiest recourse to correct errors by. I am led by these reasons and many the like, to thinke that either nothing in deede, or very litle in shew, can iustly be alleaged to the contrary but that such an order must needes be verie profitable, to giue schooles a purgation to voide them of some great inconueniences: as I take the thing also to be verie compassable, if authoritie shall like of it, without which an opinion is but shewed, and dieth without effect.

I entend my selfe by the grace of God to bestow some paines therein, if I may perceaue any hope to encourage my trauell. If any other will deale I am ready to staie, and behold his successe: if none other will, then must I be borne with, which in so necessarie a case do offer to my countrie all my duetifull seruice. Wherein if any vpon some repining humor shall seeme to stomacke me, bycause being one perhaps meaner then he is himselfe, I do thus boldly auaunce my doinges to the stage, and view of my countrie: yet still he step foorth and shew vs his cunning he hath no wrong offred him, if another do speake while he wilbe silent. And whosoeuer shall deale in generall argumentes, must be content to put vp those generall pinches, which repining people do vse then most, when they are best vsed, and esteeme it some benefit, when doing well he heareth ill: and thinke that he hath gotten a great victorie if he please the best, and profit the most, as he may profit all and yet displease many: either through ignorance bycause they cannot discerne: or through willfulnes being wedded to preiudice: or ells through disdaine bycause it spiteth some, to see other aboue spite. A disease proper to basest dispositions, and of meanest desert, to pinch the heele where they pricke at the head.

But such as meane to do well, how souer their power perfourme, so the height of their argument ouertop not their power to farre, and discouer great want of discretion in meddling with a matter to much surmounting their abilitie, they may comfort and encourage themselues with that meaning, if their doing do answere it in any resonable proportion, and thinke it a thing, (as it is in deede) naturally, and daily accompanying all potentates either in person, or propertie, and therefore no disgrace to any meaner creature to wrastle with repyning and sowre spirites euen verie then, when they worke them most good, which are readyest to repine. If the doinges be massiue they will beare a knocke: if they be but slender, and will streight way bruse, beware the warranting. As in this my labour I dare warrant nothing, but the warines of good will, which euen ill wil shall see: if it haue any sight to see that is right, as commonly that way it is starke blinde, and so much the more incurablely, bycause the blindnes comes either of vnwillingnes to see, or of an infected sight, that will misconsture and depraue the obiect. I craue the gentle and friendly construction of such as be learned, or that loue learning, and yet I neede not craue it, bycause learning that is sound in deede and needes no bolstering, and all her louers and fauorers, be verie liberall of friendly construction, and nothing partiall to speake the best, euen where it is not craued. I must pray, if prayer will procure it, the gentle and curteouse toleration of such, as shall mislike. For as I will not willingly do that, which may deserue misliking: so if I once know wherein, I will satisfie thoroughly. And therefore in one word, I must pray my louing countriemen, and friendly readers, this to thinke of me, that either I shall hit, as my hope is, and then they shall enioy it: or if I misse, I will amend, and my selfe shall not repent it.

2. The second remedie to helpe schoole inconueniences was to set downe the schoole ordinaunces betwene the maister, and his scholers in a publicke place, where they may easily be seene and red: and to leaue as litle vncertaine or vntoucht, which the parent ought to know, and whereupon misliking may arise, as is possible. For if at the first entry the parent condiscend, to those orders, which he seeth, so that he cannot afterward plead eitheir ignorance, or disallowing, he is not to take offence, if his childe be forced vnto them when he will not follow, according to that fourme, which he himselfe did confirme by his owne consent. And yet when all is done the glosse will wring the text. Wherefore the maner of teaching, the ascent in fourmes, the times of admission, the preuention to haue fourmes equall, the bookes for learning, and all those thinges, which be incident vnto that vniformitie, wherof I spake, being already knowen to be ratified by authoritie, as I trust it shalbe: or if not, yet the same order in the same degrees being set downe, which the maister priuately according to his owne skill entendes to kepe: it shalbe very good to take away matter of iarre betwene the parentes and the maister, in the same table publickly to be seene, and shewed to the parentes, when they bring their child first to schoole, besides all that, which I haue generally touched to set downe also in plaine and flat termes, 1. what houres he will kepe, bycause there is great consideration in that, what to haue fixed and perpetuall, and wherein to giue place to particular occasions, as there be very many, why all children cannot kepe all houres, though the schoole houres must still be certaine: and discretion must be the determiner. 2. Againe what occasions he will vse to let them go to play, which be now very many, and very needefull, while ordinarie exercises be not as ordinarily admitted, as ordinarie schooling, is ordinarily allowed: 3. and such other thinges as the schoole shall seeme necessarily to require. For a certaintie resolueth, and preuentes douting.

But he must cheifly touch what punishment he will vse, and how much, for euery kinde of fault that shall seeme punishable by the rod. For the rod may no more be spared in schooles, then the sworde may in the Princes hand. By the rod I meane correction, and awe: if that sceptre be thought to fearfull for boyes, which our time deuised not, but receiued it from auncientie, I will not striue with any man for it, so he leaue vs some meane which in a multitude may worke obedience. For the priuate, what soeuer parentes say, my ladie birchely will be a gest at home, or else parentes shall not haue their willes. And if in men great misses deserue and receiue great punishment, sure children may not escape in some qualitie of punishment, which in quantitie of vnhappinesse will match some men. And if parentes were as carefull to examine the causes of beating, as they are nothing curious to be offended without cause for beating, themselues might gaine a great deale more to their childrens good: and their children lease nothing, by their parentes assurance. But commonly in such cases rashnesse hath her recompence, the errour being then spied, when the harme is incurable, and repentance without redresse. Terme it as ye list, beate not you saye for learning but for lewdnesse. Sure to beate him for learning which is willing enough to learne, when his witte will not serue, were more then frantike: and vnder the name of not learning to hide and shrowd all faultes and offenses, were more then foolish: and what would that childe be without beating, which with it can hardly be reclaimed? in whom onely lewdnesse is the let, and capacitie is at will? The ende of our schooles is learning: if it faile by negligence, punish negligence: if by other voluntarie default, punish the default. Spare learning: so that still the refuge must be to the maisters discretion: both for manners, and for learning, whom I would wish to set downe as much in certaintie as he can, at the beginning, and to leaue as litle as he may to the childes report, who will alway leane and sway to much to his owne side, and beare away the bell, euen against the best maister, cheifly if his mother be either his counsellour, or his attourney: or the father vnconstant, and without iudgement.

The maister therfore must haue in his table a catalogue of schoole faultes, beginning at the commandementes, for swearing, for disobedience, for lying, for false witnesse, for picking, and so thorough out: then to the meaner heresies, trewantry, absence, tardies, and so forth. Such a thing Xenophon75 seemes to meane in rekening vp the faultes, which the Persian vsed to punish, though he limit not the penaltie, what, nor how much. Which in all these I wish our maister to set downe with the number of stripes also, immutable though not many. Wherin the maister is to take good heed, that the fault may be confessed, if it may be, without force, and the boye conuicted by verdit of his fellowes, and that very euidently. For otherwise children will wrangle amaine, and affection at home hath credulitie beyond crye, which makes the boy dare, what reason dare not. If any of their fellowes be appointed monitours, (as such helpes of Lieutenauncie must be had, where the maister cannot alwaye be present himselfe) and take them napping, they wil pretend spite, or some priuate displeasure in most manifest knauerie. And if ye correcte, as your Lieutenant must haue credit, if you meane to keepe state, that must go home to proue beating without cause. If the maister differre execution, that delaie will enstruct them to deuise some starting hole, and that also if it be not heard in schoole wilbe heard at home.

To tell tales out of schoole, is now as commonly vsed to the worst, as in the old world it was high treason to do it at all. There be as many prety stratagemes and deuises, which boyes will vse to saue themselues, and as pleasaunt to heare as any apopthegme in either Plutarch, Ælianus, or Erasmus. The maister therefore must be very circumspecte, and leaue no shew, or countenaunce of impunitie deserued, where desert biddes pay. It were some losse of time in learning, to spend any in beating, if it did not seeme a gaine that soundeth towardes good, and seekes amendement of manners. It is passing hard, to reclaime a boye, in whom long impunitie hath graffed a carelesse securitie, or rather some deepe insolencie: and yet freindes will haue it so, and beating may not be for discouraging the boye, though repentaunce be in rearward. It is also not good after any correction to let children grate somwhat to long of their late greife, for feare of to greate stomaking, onlesse the parentes be wise and stedfast, with whom if a cunning, and a discrete maister ioyne, that childe is most fortunate which hath such parentes, and that scholer most happie which hath light on such a maister. “But certainly it is most true, let plausibilitie in speach vse all her excusing and blanching colours that she can, that the round maister, which can vse the rod discretely, though he displease some, which thinke all punishment vndiscrete, if it tuch their owne, doth perfourme his duetie best, and still shall bring vp the best scholers: As no maister of any stuffe shall do but well, where the parentes like that at home, which the maister doth at schoole: and if they do mislike any thing, will rather impart their greife and displeasure with the maister priuately, to amend it, then moane their child openly, to marre that way more then they shall make any way. The same faultes must be faultes at home, which be faultes at schoole, and receiue the like reward in both the places, to worke the childes good by both meanes, correction as the cause shall offer, commendacion as neede shall require.”

They that write most for gentlenesse in traine reserue place for the rod, and we that vse the terme of seueritie recommend curtesie to the maisters discretion. Here is the oddes: they will seeme to be curteous in termes, and yet the force of the matter makes them confesse the neede of the rod: we vse sharp termes, and yet yeilde to curtesie more, then euen the verie patrones of curtesie do, for all their curifauour.

Wherin we haue more reason to harp on the harder stringe for the trueth of the matter, then they to touch but the softer, so to please the person: seeing they conspire with vs in the last conclusion, that both correction and curtesie be referred to discretion. Curtesie goeth before, and ought to guide the discourse, when reason is obeyed which is very seldome: but the corruptnesse in nature, the penalties in lawe, courage to enflame, desire to entice, and so many euilles assailing one good do enforce me to build my discourse vpon feare, and leaue curtesie to consideration: as the bare one reason of reason obeyed, a thing still wished, but seldome wel willed, doth cause some curteous conceit, not much acquainted with the kinde of gouernment, vpon some plausible liking, to make curtesie the outside, and keepe canuase for the lyning: but euer still for the last staffe to make discretion the refuge. Wherin we agree, though I priuately chide him, and saye why dissemble ye? Vnder hand he aunswereth me, I lend the world some wordes, but I will witnesse with you, I do not speake against discrete correction, but against hastinesse, and crueltie. Sir I know none, that will either set correction or curtesie at to much libertie, but with distinction, vpon whom they be both to be exercised: neither yet any, that will praise cruelty: and all those, that write of this argument, whether Philosophers or others allow of punishment, though they differ in the kinde.

And it is said in the best common weale,76 not that no punishment is to be vsed, but that such an excellent naturall witte, as is made out of the finest mould would not be enforced, bycause in deede it needes not: neither will I offer feare, where I finde such a one: neither but in such a common weale shall I finde such a one. And yet in our corrupt states we light sometime vpon one, that were worthy to be a dweller in a farre better. And I will rather venture vpon the note of a sharp maister to make a boye learne that, which may afterward do him seruice, yea though he be vnwilling for the time, and very negligent: then that he shall lacke the thing, which maye do him seruice, when age commeth on, bycause I would not make him learne, for the vaine shadow of a curteous maister. It is slauish sayeth Socrates to be bet. It is slauish then to deserue beating sayeth the same Socrates. If Socrates his free nature be not found, sure Socrates his slauish courage must be cudgelled, euen by Socrates his owne confession. For neither is punishment denied for slaues, neither curtesie for free natures. This by the waye, neither Socrates nor Plato be so directly carefull in that place, for a good maister in this kinde, as the place required, though they point the learner. And in deed where they had Censores to ouersee the generall traine, both for one age and other, there needed no great precept this waye. If parentes might not do this, neither children attempt that, then were maisters disburdened: If all thinges were set in stay by publike prouision, priuate care were then mightily discharged. But Socrates findes a good scholer which in naturall relation inferreth a good maister. And yet Philippe of Macedonie, had a thousand considerations in his person, moe then that he was Alexanders father, and it is not enough to name the man, onelesse ye do note the cause why with all, and in what respect ye name him. A wise maister, which must be a speciall caueat in prouision, wil helpe all, either by preuenting that faultes be not committed, or by well vsing, when soeuer they fall out, and without exception must haue both correction and curtesie, committed vnto him beyond any appeal. Xenophon77 maketh Cyrus be beaten of his maister, euen where he makes him the paterne of the best Prince, as Tullie sayeth78 and mindes not the trueth of the storie, but the perfitnesse of his deuise, being him selfe very milde as it appeareth still in his iourney from Assyria after the death of Cyrus the younger.79 For a soule there could not be one lesse seruile then he, which was pictured out beyond exception: for impunitie, there could not be more hope, then in a Prince enheritour, and that is more, set forth for a paterne to Princes. And yet this Princes child in the absolutenesse of deuise, was beaten by his deuise, which could not deuise any good traine exempt from beating beinge yet the second ornament of Socrates his schoole.

The case was thus, and a matter of the Persian learning. A long boye had a short coate, and a short boye had a long one: The long boye tooke awaye the short boyes coate, and gaue him his: both were fit: But yet there arose a question about it. Cyrus was made iudge, as iustice was the Persian grammer. He gaue sentence, that either should haue that which fitted him. His maister bette him for his sentence: bycause the question was not of fitnesse, but of right, wherein eche should haue his owne. His not learning, and errour by ignorance, was the fault, wherfore he was punished. And who soeuer shall marke the thing well, shall finde, that not learning, where there is witte to learne, buildeth vpon idlenesse, vnwilling to take paines, vpon presumption that he shall carie it awaye free, and in the ende, vpon contempt of them, from whom he learned to contemne, where he should haue reuerenced. Slight considerations make no artificiall anatomies, and therfore wil smart, bycause they spie not the subtilities of creeping diseases. It is easie for negligence in scholers, to pretend crueltie in maisters, where fauour beyond rime, lendes credit beyond reason. But in such choice of maisters where crueltie maye easily be auoided, nay in such helpe by Magistrate, where it may be suppressed: and in such wealth of parentes which may change where they like not, if I should here a young gentleman say he was driuen from schoole, he should not driue me from mine opinion, but that there was follie in the parentes, and he had his will to much followed, if his parentes had the training of him, or that his gardian gaue to much to his owne gaine, and to litle to his wardes good, if he were not himselfe some hard head besides, and set light by learning, as a bootie but for beggers. For gentlenesse and curtesie towarde children, I do thinke it more needefull then beating, and euer to be wished, bycause it implyeth a good nature in the child, which is any parentes comfort, any maisters delite. And is the nurse to liberall wittes, the maisters encouragement, the childes ease, the parentes contentment, the bannishment of bondage, the triumph ouer torture, and an allurement to many good attemptes in all kinde of schooles.

But where be these wittes, which will not deserue, and that very much? and where much deseruing is, who is so shamles as to deny correction, which by example doth good, and helpes not the partie offender alone. Giue me meane dispositions to deserue, they shall neuer complaine of much beating: but of none I dare not say, bycause insolent rechelessenes will grow on in the very best, and best giuen natures, where impunitie profers pardon, eare the fault be committed. My selfe haue had thousandes vnder my hand, whom I neuer bet, neither they euer much needed: but if the rod had not bene in sight, and assured them of punishment if they had swarued to much, they would haue deserued: And yet I found that I had done better in the next to the best, to haue vsed more correction, and lesse curtesie, after carelessenesse had goten head. Wherfore I must needes say, that in any multitude the rod must needes rule: and in the least paucitie it must be seene, how soeuer it sound. Neither needeth a good boye to be afraid, seeing his fellow offender beaten, any more then an honest man, though he stand by the gallowes, at the execution of a fellon. This point for punishment must the maister set downe roundly, and so as he meaneth in deede to deale, bycause the pretence is generally, not so much for beating, as for to sore beating, which being in sight, the conclusion is soone made, and he that will preuent that sore, may see that set downe, which is thought sufficient. Whervnto if the parent submit himselfe in consent, and his childe in obedience the bargain is thorough, if not there is no harme done.

If the schoole rest vpon the maister alone, thus must he do if he meane to do well, and to continue freindship where he meanes to do good. If it be some free foundacion, the founders must ioyne with the maister, if they meane that the frute of their cost shalbe commodious to their cuntrey. Leaue nothing to had I wist where ye may aunswere ye wist it. When any extraordinary fault breaketh out, as Solon said of parricide, that he thought there was none such in nature, conference with the parent, and euident proofe before punishment, will satisfie all parties. And euer the maister must haue a fatherly affection, euen to the vnhappyest boye, and thinke the schoole to be a place of amendment, and therfore subiect to misses.

For the maisters yeares, I leaue that to the admitters, as I do his alonenesse. Sufficiency of liuing wil make marriage most fit, where affection to their owne, worketh fatherlynesse to others: and insufficiencie of liuing will make a sole man remoue sooner, bycause his cariage is small. Most yeares should be most fit to gouerne, both for constantnesse to be an ancker for leuitie to ride at, which is naturally in youth: and for discretion and learning, which yeares should bring with them. But bycause there be errours I leaue this to discretion. The admitters to schooles haue a great charge, and ought to proue as curious as the very best Godfathers, whose charge yet is farre greater, then the account of it is made, among common persons. These thinges do I take to be very necessarie meanes, to helpe many displeasures wherwith schooling is anoyed, and to plant pleasure in their place. And yet when all is done the poore teacher must be subiect to as much, as the sunne is, to shine ouer all, and yet see much more then he can amend: as the diuine is, which for all his preaching, cannot haue his auditorie perfit: as the Prince is, who neither for reward nor penalty can haue generall obedience. The teachers life is painfull, and therfore would be pityed: it is euidently profitable, and therfore would be cherished: it wrastles with vnthankfullnesse aboue all measure, and therefore would be comforted, with all encouragement. One displeased parent will do more harme vpon a head, if he take a pyrre at some toy, neuer conferring with any, but with his owne cholere: then a thousand of the thankfullest will euer do good, though it be neuer so well deserued. Such small recompence hath so great paines, the very acquaintance dying when the childe departes, though with confessed deserte, and manifest profit: Such extreme dealing will furie enforce, where there is no fault, but that conceit surmiseth, vnwilling to examine the truth of the cause, and lother to reclame, as vnwilling to be seene so ouershot by affection. This very point wherby parentes hurte themselues in deede, and hinder their owne, though they discourage teachers, would be looked vnto by some publike ordinaunce, that both the maisters might be driuen to do well, if the fault rest in them: and the parentes to deale well, if the blame rest there: considering the publike is harmed, where the priuate is vncharmed, to ende it in meter as my president is.

But in the beginning of this argument I did protest against Philip Melanchthons miseries, and therefore I will go no further, seeing what calling is it, which hath not his cumbat against such discurtesies? The prouerbe were vntrue, if man should not be as well a wolfe to man, as he is tearmed a God and did not more harme, in vnkyndenesse, then good in curtesie: so maruelosly fraught with ill and good both, as Plinie, cannot iudge whether nature be to a man, a better mother, or a bitterer stepdame. But patience must comfort where extremitie discourageth: and a resolute minde is a rempare to it selfe, vpon whom as Horace saith, though the whole world should fall, it might well crush him perforce, but not quash him for feare.