SECTION it. 547 time. In some of the eastern nations, even persons of the high. est rank are obliged to be educated in some employment or pro- fession ; and perhaps that practice has many advantages in it : it engages their younger years in labour and diligence, and secures from the mischievous effects of sloth, idleness, vanity, and a thou- sand temptations. In our nation I confess it is a custom to educate the children of noblemen, and the eldest sons of the gentry, to no proper business or profession, but only to an acquaintance with some of the ornaments and accomplishments of life, which I shall men- tion immediately. But perhaps it would be far happier for some families, if the sons were brought up to business, and kept to the practice of it, than to have them exposed to the pernicious incon- veniences of a sauntering and idle life, and the more violent im- pulse of all the corrupt inclinations of youth. However, it is certain that far the greater part of mankind must bring up their children to some regular business and profession, whereby they may sustain their lives and support a family, and become useful members to the state. Now in the choice of such a profession or employment for children, many things are to be consulted. (1.) The circumstances and estate of the parents ; whether it will reach to place out the child as an apprentice, to provide for him materials for his business or trade, and to support him till he shall be able to maintain himself by his profession. Sometimes the ambition of the parent and the child, hath fixed on a trade far above their circumstances ; in consequence of which the child bath been exposed to many inconveniences, and the parent to many sorrows. (2.) The capacity and talents of the child must also be con- sidered. If it be a profession of hard labour ; bath the child a healthy and firm constitution, and strength of body equal to 'the work ? If it be a profession that requires the exercise of fancy, skill and judgment, or much study and contrivance; then the question will be, bath the lad a genius capable ofthinking well, a bright imagination, a solid judgment ? Is he able to endure such an application of mind as is necessary for the employment ? (3.) The temper and inclination of the child must be brought into this consultation, in order to determine a proper business for life. If the daily labour and business of a man be not agreeable to him, he can never hope to manage it with any great advan- tage or success. I knew a bricklayer, who professed that he had always an aversion to the smell of mortar': and I was acquainted once with a lad who begun to learn Greek at school, but he com- plained it did not agree with his constitution. I think the first of these ought to have been brought up to work in glass or timber, orany thing rather than in bricks : as for the other, (to my best m m
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