thors which seem more peculiarly to belong little enough in this, to attain that knowledge to her education, such as Davila, Guic- of general history, and especially that acciardin, and Beccaria, may be read either curate acquaintance with the events' of our in French or English translations.

own country, which, in her situation, are absolutely indispensable.

It is not to be supposed that a personage, under her peculiar circumstances, should Geography and chronology have not unhave much time to spare for the acquisition fitly been termed the two eyes of history. of what are called the fine arts; nor, per- With chronology she should be completely haps, is it to be desired. To acquire them acquainted. It is little to know events, if in perfection, would steal away too large a we do not know in what order and succesportion of those precious hour's which will sion they are disposed. It is necessary also barely suffice to lay in the various rudiments to learn how the periods of computation are of indispensable knowledge; and, in this determined. Method does not merely aid fastidious age, whatever falls far short of the memory, it also assists the judgment, by perfection, is deemed of little worth. A settling the dependence of one event upon moderate skill in music, for instance, would another. Chronology is the grand art of probably have little other effect, than to historical arrangement. To know that a make the listeners feel, as Farinelli is said man of distinguished eminence has lived, is to have done, who used to complain heavily to know little, unless we know when he lithat the pension of 2000l. a year, which he ved, and who were his contemporaries. Inhad from the king of Spain, was compensa- distinctness and confusion must always pertion little enough for his being sometimes plex that understanding, in which the annals obliged to hear his majesty play. Yet this of past ages are not thus consecutively linked would be a far less evil than that to which together. excellence might lead. We can think of Would it not be proper always to read few things more to be deprecated, than that history with a map, in order to keep up in those who have the greatest concerns to the mind the indissoluble connexion between pursue, should have their tastes engaged, history and geography; and that a glance of perhaps monopolized, by trifles. A listener the country may recall the exploits of the to the royal music, if possessed of either hero, or the virtues of the patriot who has wisdom or virtue, could not but feel his immortalized it? pleasure at the most exquitite performance abated, by the apprehension that this perfection implied the neglect of matters far

more essential.

Respecting the study of geography, I would observe that many particulars, which do not seem to have been considered by the generality of writers, ought to be brought Besides, to excel in those arts, which, before the view of a royal pupil. The efthough merely ornamental, are yet well fects of local situation, and geographical enough adapted to ladies who have only a boundary, on the formation and progress of subordinate part to fill in life, would rather nations and empires.-The consequences, lessen than augment the dignity of a sove- for example, which have resulted as well in reign. It was a truly royal reply of The- the political, as in the civil and religious mistocles, when he was asked if he could play on the lute-'No, but if you will give me a paltry village I may perhaps know how to improve it into a great city.'

circumstances of mankind, from the Mediterranean being so aptly interposed, not so much as it should seem to be a common barrier, as to form a most convenient and important medium of intercourse between These are imperial arts, and worthy kings. Europe, Asia, and Africa.-The effect of As to these inferior accomplishments, it is not this great Naumachia of the ancient world, desirable, and is it not sufficient that a sove-in transferring empire from east to west;reign should possess that general knowledge the want of tides in the Mediterranean, so and taste which give the power of discrimi- as to adapt this scene of early maritime adnating excellence, so as judiciously to venture to the rudeness of those who were cherish, and liberally to reward it? first to navigate it, and whose success might But, not only in works of mere taste; even have been fatally impeded, by that diversity in natural history, botany, experimental of currents, which in other seas the ebb and philosophy, and other generally valuable flow of the tides is perpetually creating. sciences, a correct but unlaboured outline of In connection with this, though somewhat knowledge, it is presumed, will, in the pre-locally remote from it, is to be remarked sent instance, be thought sufficient. Pro- the regularity of the monsoons in the Eryfitable and delightful as these pursuits are thræan sea, by means of which, the earlier to others (and no one more admires them traders between Africa and India were carthan the writer of this essay) yet the royal ried across the Persian gulf, without the expersonage must not be examining plants, ercise of that skill, which as yet did not when she should be studying laws; nor in- exist. And, as if to facilitate the conveyvestigating the instincts of animals, when ance of those most interesting commodities she should be analyzing the characters of A name given formerly to all that portion of the men. The time so properly devoted to sea which lies between Arabia and India, though latterly these studies in other educations, will be confined to the Arabian gulf.

to the Mediterranean, in order that the should, therefore, be particularly guarded commerce of that inland ocean might never against that desultory manner of reading, want an adequate stimulus, the Red Sea is too common at this day, and particularly carried onward, till it is separated from the with women. She should be trained always Mediterranean by a comparatively narrow to study some valuable purpose, and careisthmus; an isthmus that seems providen- fully to attend to the several waymarks, by tially to have been retained, that while the means of which that end may most effectumaratime activity and general convenience ally be attained. She should be accustomof the ancient world was provided for, there ed to call forth the forces of her mind, and night still be sufficient difficulty in the way, to keep them alert, well disciplined, and to excite to a more extended circumnaviga- ready for service. She should so cultivate tion, when the invention of the compass, the settled principles of action, as to acquire the improvement of maratime skill, and the habit of applying them, on demand, to the general progress of human society, should actual occasions of life; and should possess a concur in bringing on the proper season. promptitude, as well as soundness, in deduAnd, in this geographic sketch, let not cing consequences, and drawing conclusions. the remarkable position of Judea be forgot-Her mind should be exercised with as much ten: placed in the very middle parts of industry in the pursuit of moral truth and the old world (whose extent may be reck-useful knowledge, as that of a young acaoned from the pillars of Hercules to the demic in the studies of his profession. The utmost Indian isle Tabrobane,') as the sun art of reigning is the profession of a prince. in the centre of the solar system, and at the And, doubtless, it is a science which retop of the Mediterranean, both that it might quires at least as much preparatory study as be within the vortex of great events, and any other. Besides, one part of knowledge also that when the fulness of time should is often so necessary for reflecting light on come, it might be most conveniently situated another part, that perhaps no one who does for pouring forth that light of truth, cf not understand many things, can understand which it was destined to be the local origin, any thing well. upon all the nations of the earth, and espe- But, whatever may be the necessary decially on the Roman empire. Such are the gree of knowledge, it is most certain that it less common particulars to which attention cannot be attained amidst the petty avocamay advantageously be drawn. With geo-tions which occupy a modern lady's time.graphy in general should of course be connected some knowledge of the natural and civil history of each country; its chief political revolutions, its alliances, and dependencies; together with the state of its arts, commerce, natural productions, government, and religion.

CHAP. III.

On the importance of forming the mind. IT is of the highest importance that the royal pupil should acquire an early habit of method and regularity in her studies. She

Knowledge will not come by nature or by chance. Precepts do not always convey it. Talents do not always insure it. It is the fruit of pains. It is the reward of application.

Dii laboribus omnia vendunt.

Let her ever bear in mind, she is not to study that she may become learned, but that she may become wise. It is by such an acquisition of knowledge as is here recommended, that her mind must be so enlarged and invigorated as to prepare her for following wise counsels, without blindly yielding to fortuitous suggestions; as to enable her to trace actions into their multifarious consequences, and to discover real analogies withIt is worthy of notice, that in all probability Judea out being deceived by superficial appearwas the country by means of which a trade was first ances of resemblance. It is thus that she opened between the Mediterranean and India. David must be secured from the dominion of the had taken from the Edomites two cities at the Red Sea, less enlightened. This will preserve her Ezion-Geber and Elath; these, we are told, Solomon from credulity; prevent her from overmade sea-ports, and colonized them with navigators, rating inferior talents, and help her to atfurnished by the king of Tyre, of whom it is said, 2tain that nil admirari, which is so necessary Chron. viii. 18, that he sent unto Solomon ships and for distinguishing arrogant pretension from servants, who had knowledge of the sea, and they went substantial merit. It will aid her to apprewith the servants of Solomon to Ophir; and, 1 Kings, ciate the value of those around her; will x. 22, we are told that Solomon had at sea a navy of assist her penetration in what regards her Tarshish with the navy of Hiram, which came once in three years, bringing gold and silver, ivory, apes and friends; preserve her from a blind prejudice peacocks. Thus, Tyre, the great emporium of the choosing them, from retaining them Mediterranean was evidently indebted to David and through fear or fondness, and from changing Solomon, for access to that commerce of the east, which them through weakness or caprice. When was carried on by means of the Red Sea, and brought we are abused through specious appearfrom the above-mentioned ports, across the isthmus of ances,' says the judicious Hooker, it is beSuez, probably to the same place where the Tyrians in Cause reason is negligent to search out the later times unshipped their Asiatic commodities, the fallacy.' But he might have added, if reaport of Rhinocorura. son be not cultivated early, if it be not ex

rcised constantly, it will have no eye for discernment, no heart for vigorous exertion, Specious appearances will perpetually deceive that mind which has been accustomed to acquiesce in them through ignorance, blindness, and inaction,

ter.

play and exhibition so prevalent in modern education. Its effects will be less ostensible, but they will be more certain.

When it is considered how short is that period of life in which plain unvarnished truth will be likely to appear in all its naked simplicity before princes, is there a moment of that happy, that auspicious season to be lost, for presenting it to them in all its lovely and engaging forms? It is not enough that they should possess truth as a principle; they should cherish it as an object of affection, delight in it as a matter of taste, and dread nothing so much as false colouring and ar

habit should be so early and insensibly formed, that when the pupil comes afterwards to meet with maxims, and instances of truth and virtue, in historical and moral writings, she may bring to the perusal tastes, tempers, and dispositions so laid in, as to have preA prince should be ignorant of nothing pared the mind for their reception. As this which it is honourable to know; but he mode of preparatory and incidental instrucshould look on mere acquisition of knowledge tion will be gradual and inwoven, so it will not as the end to be rested in, but only as the be deep and durable; but as it will be little means of arriving at some higher end. He obvious to ordinary judges, it will excite less may have been well instructed in history, wonder and admiration than the usual disbelles lettres, philosophy, and languages, and yet have received a defective education, if the formation of his judgment has been neglected. For, it is not so important to know every thing, as to know the exact value of every thing, to appreciate what we learn, and to arrange what we know, Books alone will never form the characMere_reading_would rather tend to make a pedantic, than an accomplished prince. It is conversation which must unfold, enlarge, and apply the use of books. Without that familiar comment on what is read, which will make a most important part of the intercourse between a royal tifice. pupil and the society around him, mere He who possesses a sound principle, and reading might only fill the mind with strong relish of truth in his own mind, will fallacious models of character, and false possess a touchstone by which to try this maxims of life. It is conversation which quality in others, and which will enable him must develope what is obscure, raise what to detect false notions, to see through false is low, correct what is defective, qualify manners, and to despise false attractions. what is exaggerated, and gently and almost This discerning faculty is the more imporinsensibly raise the understanding, form the heart, and fix the taste; and by giving just proportions to the mind, teach it the power of fair appreciation, draw it to adopt what is reasonable, to love what is good, to taste what is pure, and to imitate what is elegant. But this is not to be effected by cold rules, The early habit of sifting questions, turnand formal reflections; by insipid dogmas, ing about a truth, and examining an arguand tedious sermonizing. It should be done ment on all sides, will strengthen the intelso indirectly, so discretely, and so pleasantly, lectual powers of the royal pupil; prevent that the pupil shall not be led to dread a lec-her thoughts from wandering; accustom her ture at every turn, nor a dissertation on to weigh fairly and resolve soundly; will every occurrence. While yet such an in- conquer irresolution in her mind; preserve genious and cheerful turn may be given to her from being easily deceived by false reasubjects apparently unpromising, old truths soning, startled by doubts, and confounded may be conveyed by such new images, that by objections. She will learn to digest her the pupil will wonder to find herself improv- thoughts in an exact method, to acquire a ed when she thought she was only diverted. logical order in the arrangement of them, to Folly may be made contemptible, affecta-possess precision in her ideas, and its natural tion ridiculous, vice hateful, and virtue beau- concomitant, perspicuity in her expression; tiful, by such seemingly unpremeditated all which will be of the highest importance means, as shall have the effect, without to one who may hereafter have so much to having the effort, of a lesson. Topics must do and to say in public. not be so much proposed as insinuated.

tant, as the high breeding of every polished society presents so plausible an imitation of goodness, as to impose on the superficial observer, who, satisfied with the image and superscription, never inquires whether the coin be counterfeit or sterling.

With the shades of expressions she should But above all, there should be a constant, also be well acquainted, and be habituated but imperceptible habit of turning the mind to use the most apposite and the most corto a love of TRUTH in all its forms and as-rect; such as are neither too high nor too low, pects; not only in matters of grave morality, too strong nor too weak, for the occasion, but in matters of business, of common inter- such as are obvious, but not vulgar, accurate course, and even of taste; for there is a but not pedantic, elegant but not artificial. truth both in moral and mental taste, little The memory should be stored with none short of the exactness of mathematical but the best things, that when, hereafter, truth; and the mind should acquire an habit the judgment is brought into exercise, it of seeking perfection in every thing. This may find none but the best materials to act

upon. Instead, therefore, of loading the and amusement, when caution is dismissed memory, might it not be useful to establish by the pupil, and control by the preceptor; it into a rule to read to her every day, as an when no studies are imposed, and no specific amusement, and distinctly from all regular employment suggested. In fact when vigiinstruction, a passage from the history of lance appears to sleep, it should be particuEngland, a story out of Plutarch, or any larly on the alert, in order to discern those similar author; and require of her to repeat tendencies and dispositions which will then it afterwards, in her own words? This most naturally unfold themselves; and bewould not only add, daily, one important fact cause that the heart, being at those seasons to her stock of knowledge, but would tend less under discipline, will be more likely to to form a perspicuous and elegant style.- betray its native character. And as the reOccasion would also be furnished for observ-gulation of the temper is that part of educaing whether she exhibited that best proof of tion on which the whole happiness of life good sense, the seizing on the prominent most materially depends, no occasion should features of the story, laying less stress on be neglected, no indication slighted, no counwhat was less important. teraction omitted, which may contribute to accomplish so important an end.

But while accuracy is thus sought, the still more important habit of comprehensive- The peculiar defects, not merely such ness must not be overlooked. Her mind faults as are incident to childhood, but the should be trained to embrace a wide com- predominating faults of the individual, should pass; it should be taught to take in a large be carefully watched, lest they acquire whole, and then subdivide it into parts; each strength through neglect, when they might of which should be considered distinctly, have been diminished by a counteracting yet connectedly, with strict attention to its force. If the temper be restless, ardent, due proportions, relative situations, its bear- and impetuous, weariness and discontent ings with respect to the others, and the de- will, hereafter, fill up the dreary intervals pendence of each part on the whole. Where, between one animating scene and another, however, so many things are to be known, unless the temper be subdued and tranquiland so many to be done, it is impossible to at-ized by a constant habit of quiet, though tend equally to all. It is therefore impor- varied, and interesting occupation. Few tant, that, in any case of competition, the less material be left unlearned and undone; and that petty details never fill the time and mind, at the expense of neglecting great objects.

For those, therefore, who have much business and little time, it is a great and necessary art to learn to extract the essential spirit of an author from the body of his work, to know how to seize on the vital parts; to discern where his strength lies; and to separate it from those portions of the work which are superfluous, collateral, or merely

ornamental.

things are more fatal to the mind, than to depend for happiness on the contingent recurrence of events, businesses, and diversions, which inflame and agitate it; for as they do not often occur, the intervals which are long are also languid; the enjoyment is factitious happiness; the privation is actual misery.

Reading, therefore, has, especially to a prince, its moral uses, independently of the nature of the study itself. It brings no small gain, if it secure him from the dominion of turbulent pursuits and agitating pleasures. If it snatch him on the one hand, from public schemes of ambition and false glory; and if it rescue him on the other, from the habit of forming pretty projects of incessant diversion, the rudiments of a trifling and useless life.

On the subject of economising time, the writer would have been fearful of incurring the charge of needless strictness, by suggesting the utility of accustoming princes to be read to while they are dressing, could not the actual practice of our admirable queen Knowledge, therefore, is often the preMary be adduced to sanction the advice.—servative of virtue, and, next to right habits That excellent princess, from a conscientious of sentiment and conduct, the best human regard to the value of time, was either read source of happiness. Could Louis the fourto by others, or condescended, herself, to teenth have read, probably the edict of read aloud, that those who were employed Nantz had not been revoked. But a restabout her person might share the benefit, less temper, and a vacant mind, unhappily which she enhanced by such pleasant and lighting on absolute power, present, in this judicious remarks as the subject suggested. monarch, a striking instance of the fatal efBut there is an additional reason why the fects of ignorance, and the calamity of a children of the great would be benefited by neglected education. He had a good natural this habit; for it would not only turn idle understanding, loved business, and seemed moments to some account, but would be of to have a mind capable of comprehending use in another way, by cutting off the fairest it. Many of his recorded expressions are occasions which their inferior attendants can have for engaging them, by frivolous or flattering discourse.

It would be well to watch attentively the bent of the mind in the hours of relaxation

neat and elegant. But he was uninstructed upon system; cardinal Mazarine, with a view to secure his own dominion, having withheld from him all the necessary means of education. Thus, he had received no

ideas from books; he even hated in others should be, to correct the haughtiness which the learning which he did not himself pos- may attend this superiority, without_relinsess: the terms wit and scholar, were in his quishing the truth of the fact. Is it not, mind, terms of reproach; the one as imply therefore, the business of those who have the ing satire, the other pedantry. He wanted care of a royal education, not so much to not application to public affairs; and habit deny the reality of this distance, or to dihad given him some experience in them.minish its amount, as to account for its exBut the apathy which marked his latter istence, and point out the uses to which it is years strongly illustrated the infelicity of an subservient?

unfurnished mind. This, in the tumult of A prince is an individual being, whom the his brighter days, amidst the succession of hand of Providence has placed on a pedestal intrigues, the splendour of festivity, and the of peculiar elevation: but he should learn, bustle of arms, was scarcely felt. But am-that he is placed there as the minister of bition and voluptuousness cannot always be good to others; that the dignity being he gratified. Those ardent passions, which in reditary, he is the more manifestly raised to youth were devoted to licentiousness, in the that elevation, not by his own merit, but by meridian of life to war, in a more advanced providential destination; by these laws, age to bigotry and intolerance, not only had which he is himself bound to observe with never been directed by religion, but had ne- the same religious fidelity as the meanest of ver been softened by letters.-After he had his subjects. It ought early to be impressed renounced his mistresses at home, and his that those appendages of royalty, with which unjust wars abroad, even though his mind human weakness may too probably be fasciseems to have acquired some pious tenden-nated, are intended not to gratify the feelcies, his life became a scene of such inanity ings, but to distinguish the person of the and restlessness, that he was impatient at monarch; that, in themselves, they are of being, for a moment, left alone. He had no little value; that they are beneath the atintellectual resources. The agitation of tachment of a rational, and of no substantial great events had subsided. From never use to a moral being; in short, that they are having learned either to employ himself in not a subject of a triumph, but are to be acreading or thinking, his life became a blank, quiesced in for the public benefit, and from from which he could not be relieved by the regard to that weakness of our nature, which sight of his palaces, his gardens, and his subjects so large a portion of every commuaqueducts, the purchase of depopulated vil-nity to the influence of their imagination, lages and plundered cities. and their senses.

Indigent amid all his possessions, he ex- While, therefore, a prince is taught the hibited a striking confirmation of the decla- use of those exterior embellishments, which ration of Solomon, concerning the unsatisfy-as was before observed, designate, rather ing nature of all earthly pleasures; and show-than dignify his station; while he is led to ed, that it is in vain even for kings to hope to obtain from others those comforts, and that contentment, which man can derive only from within himself.

CHAP. IV.

The Education of a Sovereign a specific
Education.

place the just value on every appendage which may contribute to give him importance in the eyes of the multitude; who, not being just judges of what constitutes true dignity, are consequently apt to reverence the royal person exactly so far as they see outward splendour connected with it; should of overvaluing that splendour, to think it a not a royal pupil himself be taught, instead humbling, rather than an elevating consideTHE formation of the character is the ration, that so large a part of the respect grand object to be accomplished. This paid to him, should be owing to such extrinshould be considered to be not so much a sic causes, to causes which make no part of separate business, as a sort of centre to himself? Let him then be taught to gratify which all the rays of instruction should be the public with all the pomp and circumdirected. All the studies it is presumed, of stance suitable to royalty; but let him never the royal pupil should have some reference forget, that though his station ought always to her probable future situation. Is it not, to procure for him respect, he must ever look therefore, obviously requisite that her un-to his own personal conduct, for inspiring derstanding be exercised in a wider range veneration, attachment, and affection; and than that of others of her sex; and that her ever let it be remembered that this affection principles be so established, on the best and is the strongest tie of obedience; that subsurest foundation, as to fit her at once for jects like to see their prince great, when that fulfilling the peculiar demands, and for re-greatness is not produced by rendering them sisting the peculiar temptations of her sta-less; and as the profound Selden observes, tion? Princes have been too often inclined the people will always be liberal to a prince to fancy, that they have few interests in com-who spares them, and a good prince will almon with the rest of mankind, feeling them-ways spare a liberal people.'

selves placed by Providence on an eminence This is not a period when any wise man so much above them. But the great aim would wish to diminish either the authority, VOL. II.

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