emies and Lycæum, all for the gown," this institution of
breeding which I here delineate, shall be equally good both
for peace and war. Therefore about an hour and a half ere
they eat at noon should be allowed them for exercise and
due rest afterward: but the time for this may be enlarged
at pleasure, according as their rising in the morning shall
be early. The exercise which I commend first, is the exact
use of their weapon, to guard and to strike safely with
edge, or point; this will keep them healthy, nimble, strong,
and well in breath, is also the likeliest means to make them
grow large and tall, and to inspire them with a gallant and
fearless courage, which being tempered with seasonable lec-
tures and precepts to them of true fortitude and patience,
will turn into a native and heroic valor, and make them
hate the cowardice of doing wrong. They must be also
practised in all the locks and grips of wrestling, wherein
Englishmen were wont to excel, as need may often be in
fight to tug or grapple, and to close. And this perhaps will
be enough, wherein to prove and heat their single strength.
The interim of unsweating themselves regularly, and con-
venient rest before meat may both with profit and delight
be taken up in recreating and composing their travailed"
spirits with the solemn and divine harmonies of music heard
or learned; either while the skilful organist plies his grave
and fancied descant, in lofty fugues, or the whole symphony
with artful and unimaginable touches adorn and grace the
well studied chords of some choice composer, sometimes the
lute, or soft organ stop waiting on elegant voices either to
religious, martial, or civil ditties; which if wise men and
prophets be not extremely out," have a great power over dis-
positions and manners, to smooth and make them gentle
from rustic harshness and distempered passions. The like
also would not be unexpedient after meat to assist and
cherish Nature in her first concoction, and send their minds
back to study in good tune and satisfaction. Where having
followed it closer under vigilant eyes till about two hours
before supper, they are by a sudden alarm or watchword,
to be called out to their military motions, under sky or
52 Civil life. 53 Cooling off. 54 Tired with exercise. 55 Mistaken.
56 Digestion.

56

58

covert, according to the season, as was the Roman wont: first on foot, then as their age permits, on horseback, to all the art of cavalry; that having in sport, but with much exactness, and daily muster, served out the rudiments of their soldiership in all the skill of embattling, marching, encamping, fortifying, besieging and battering, with all the helps of ancient and modern stratagems, tactics and warlike maxims, they may as it were out of a long war come forth renowned and perfect commanders in the service of their country. They would not then, if they were trusted with fair and hopeful armies, suffer them for want of just and wise discipline to shed away from about them like sick feathers, though they never so oft supplied: they would not suffer their empty and unrecruitable" colonels of twenty men in a company to quaff out, or convey,50 into secret hoards, the wages of a delusive list, and a miserable remnant: yet in the meanwhile to be overmastered with a score or two of drunkards, the only soldiery left about them, or else to comply with all rapines and violences. No certainly, if they knew aught of that knowledge that belongs to good men or good governors, they would not suffer these things. But to return to our own institute, besides these constant exercises at home, there is another opportunity of gaining experience to be won from pleasure itself abroad; in those vernal seasons of the year, when the air is calm and pleasant, it were an injury and sullenness against nature not to go out, and see her riches, and partake in her rejoicing with heaven and earth. I should not therefore be a persuader to them of studying much then, after two or three years that they have well laid their grounds, but to ride out in companies with prudent and staid guides, to all the quarters of the land: learning and observing all places of strength, all commodities of building and of soil, for towns and tillage, harbors and ports for trade. Sometimes taking sea as far as to our navy, to learn there also what they can in the practical knowledge of sailing and of sea-fight. These ways would try all their peculiar gifts of nature, and if there were any secret excellence among them, would fetch it out, and

57 Unable to enlist recruits.
50 Steal.

58 Spend in drinking. 60 Advantages.

give it fair opportunities to advance itself by, which could not but mightily redound to the good of this nation, and bring into fashion again those old admired virtues and excellencies, with far more advantage now in this purity of Christian knowledge. Nor shall we then need the monsieurs of Paris, to take our hopeful youth into their slight" and prodigal custodies and send them over back again transformed into mimics, apes, and kickshaws. But if they desire to see other countries at three or four and twenty years of age, not to learn principles but to enlarge experience, and make wise observation, they will by that time be such as shall deserve the regard and honor of all men where they pass, and the society and friendship of those in all places who are best and most eminent. And perhaps then other nations will be glad to visit us for their breeding, or else to imitate us in their own country.

Now lastly for their diet there can not be much to say, save only that it would be best in the same house; for much time else would be lost abroad, and many ill habits got; and that it should be plain, healthful, and moderate I suppose is out of controversy. Thus Mr. Hartlib, you have a general view in writing, as your desire was, of that which at several times I had discoursed with any concerning the best and noblest way of education; not beginning as some have done from the cradle, which yet might be worth many considerations, if brevity had not been my scope, many other circumstances also I could have mentioned, but this to such as have the worth in them to make trial, for light and direction may be enough. Only I believe that this is not a bow for every man to shoot in that counts himself a teacher; but will require sinews almost equal to those which Homer gave Ulysses, yet I am withal persuaded that it may prove much more easy in the assay, than it now seems at distance, and much more illustrious: howbeit not more difficult than I imagine, and that imagination presents me with nothing but very happy and very possible according to best wishes; if God have so decreed, and this age have spirit and capacity enough to apprehend.

62

RELIGIO MEDICI

BY

SIR THOMAS BROWNE

HC III

17