552 ON THE EDUCATION OP YOUTH. especially those who design the learned professions, ought tho- roughly to understand them ; and such as pursue the study of divinity must be acquainted also with Hebrew and Chaldee, that they may read the Old Testament in its original language as well as the New. The French is now a -days esteemed also an accomplishment to both sexes. If they have time enough, which they know not how to employ better, and a good memory, I would not forbid it. There are several good books written in that languagewhich are not unworthy of our perusal ; and there are many words now in- troduced in the English language, borrowed and derived from thence, as well as from the Latin and Greek so that it may not be improper for an English gentleman to learn these tongues, that he may understand his own the better. I add also, that if persons have much acquaintance with the French nation, or have occasion to converse with foreigners at court or in the city, or if they design to travel abroad, the French is a necessary tongue, because it is so much spoken in Europe, and especially in courts. But otherwise, there are so many of the valuable writings of the French authors perpetually translated into English, that it is a needless thing to go through much difficulty or take much pains in attaining it. I am inclined to believe that, (except in the oases above mentioned) few have found the profit answer the labour. As for those persons who are bred up to traffic with other nations, they must necessarily learn the languages of those nations; and this I reckon not among their accomplish- ments, but consider it as rather a part of their proper busi- ness in life. In short it is a thing of far greater value and importance, that youth should be perfectly well skilled in reading, writing and speaking their native tongue in a proper, a polite and.graçe- ful manner, than in toiling among foreign languages. It is of more worth and advantage to gentlemen and ladies to have an exact knowledge of what is decent, just and elegant in English, than to be a critic in foreign jonques. The very knowledge of foreign words should be improved to this purpose ; and in order to obtain this accomplishment, they should frequently converse with those persons and books which are esteemed polite and elegant in their kind. Thus far concerning the knowledge of words. But the knowledge of things is of much more im- portance. 1. The young gentry of both sexes should be a little ac- quainted wild togfe, that they may learn to obtain clear ideas ; to judge by reason and the nature of things ; to banish the pre - judices of infancy, custom and humour ; to argue closely and justly on any subject; and to cast their thoughts and affairs into a proper and easy method.
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