The PREFACE.
Stores; So this Consideration holds forth to us a kind of Natural Direction to begin our Approaches upon that Quarter, toward the Initiating of them into ſome ſort of Senſe, and Underſtanding of their Duty. And This may moſt properly be done in a way of Hiſtory and Moral; and in such a manner, that the Truth and Reaſon of Things, may be Artificially and Effectually Inſinuated; under the Cover, either of a Real Fact, or of a Suppoſed One: But then Theſe very Leſſons Themſelves may be Gilt and Sweeten'd, as we Order Pills and Potions; ſo as to take off the Diſguſt of the Remedy; for it holds, both in Vertue, and in Health, that we Love to be Inſtructed, as well as Pliſick'd, with Pleaſure. This is an Article that would both Bear and Require a Volume: But without Dwelling any longer upon it, I ſhall content my ſelf with some ſhort General Touches, and ſo Proceed.
It may be laid down in the Firſt Place, for an Univerſal Rule, never to ſuffer Children to Learn any thing, (now Seeing, and Hearing, with Them, is Learning) but what they may be the Better for All their Lives after. And it is not ſufficient neither, to keep Men clear of any Thought, Word, or Deed, that's Foul, Scandalous, and Diſhoneſt; but there are Twenty Inſipid Twittle-Twattles, Frothy Jeſts, and Jingling Witticiſms, that look, as if they had no Hurt in them; and yet the Wonting of us to the Uſe and Liking of Theſe Levities, Leads, and Inures us to a Miſ-underſtanding of Things, that's no leſs Dangerous then a Corruption of Manners. Beſide, that there's no need of Entertaining them with Theſe Fopperies, having ſo much Choice of Uſeful Matter at hand, and as Good Cheap. Briefly, in the Caſe of This Method of Inſtruction and Inſtitution, let but the Fancy or the Figure be Clear and Pertinent, and the Doctrine in the Direction of it can never fail of being ſo too. But without This Guard and Caution upon the Conduct of the Affair, This Humour of Mythology may turn to a Poyſon inſtead of a Nouriſhment: And under the Pretext of a Lecture of Good Government, Degenerate into an Encouragement to Vanity and Debauch. For while the Memory is Firm, and the Judgment Weak, it is the Director's Part to Judge for the Pupil, as it is the Diſciples, to Remember for Himſelf; And we are alſo to take This along with us, that when a Child has once Contracted an Ill Train or Habit, it will Coſt as much time to Blot out what he is to Forget, as to Poſſeſs him of what he is to Retain in his Memory.
Let it not be Underſtood now, as if the Thing it ſelf were Childiſh, because of the Application of it; or as if Boys and Men were not Indifferently of the ſame Make, and Accountable more or leſs for the ſame Faculties and Duties. So that the Force and Dignity of This way of Operation, holds good in all Caſes alike; For there's Nothing makes a Deeper Impreſſion upon the Minds of Men, or comes more Lively to their Underſtanding, than Thoſe Inſtructive Notices that are Convey'd to them by Glances, Inſinuations, and Sur-
