646 ON TÌHE EDUCATION OF YOUTÌ5. rememberancei be was wisely disposed of to a calling wherein he had nothing to do with greek. And here I would beg leave to desire, that none might be encouraged to pursue any of the learned professions, that is divi- nity, law, or physic, who have not the signs of'a,good genius, who are not patient of long attention and close application to study, who have not a peculiar delight in that profession which they choose, and withal a pretty firm constitution of body ; for much study is a weariness to the flesh, and the vigour of nature is sooner impaired by laborious thoughtfulness than by the labour of the limbs. (4.) It should be also the solicitous and constant care of parents, when they place out their children in the world, to seek out masters for them who profess serious religion, who practise all moral virtues, and keep good orders and good hours in their family. The neglect of titis concern, has been the ruin of a thousand youths in our day ; and notwithstanding the sensible mischief arising from this negligence, yet there is still too little care taken in a matter of so great importance.* Thus much for this part of the educatign of sons. But you tvill say then, what business of life must daughters be brought up to ? 1 must confess when I have seen so many of this sex, who have lived well in the time of their childhood, grievously expo- sed to many hardships and poverty upon the death of their pa- rents ; I have often wished there were more of the callings or employments of life peculiarly appropriated to women, and that they were regularly educated in them, that there might be a bet- ter provision made for their support. What if all the garments which are worn by women, were so limited and restrained in the manufacture of them, that they should all be made only by their own sex ? This would go a great way toward relief in this case; and what if some of the easier labours of life were reserved for them only ? But this is not my province. However it may be as to this matter, it is the custom of the nation, and indeed it bath been the custom of most nations and ages, to educate daughters in the knowledge of things that relate, to the affairs of the household, to spin and to use the needle, both far making garments and for the ornaments of embroidery ; they Lave been generally employed in the preparation of food, in the 'regular disposal of the affairs of the house for the conveniences snd accommodations of human life, in the furniture of the rooms 't This danger arises in a great degree from the immoderate love of plea- sures, that so generally prevails, and leads masters into parties and engagements, especially ön the Lord's day which not only occasions the neglect of religious instraction and family prayer on the evening of it, but sets au example to ser- vans which they think themselves authorized to follow, though it be generally to their pas. dcitguctiou.
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