annihilated by my condition, but find that I also am fomething. I adjust the account in my own mind with my task-mafter, and fay, Thus far you may proceed; but there is a conqueft that you cannot atchieve. The control exercised in private education is a contention of the paffions; and I feel all the bitterness of being obliged unmurmuring to fubmit the turbulence of my own paffions to the turbulence of the paffions of my preceptor. Anger glows in the breaft of both the contending parties; my heart pants with indignation against the injuftice, real or imaginary, that I endure; in the final triumph of my Brobdingnagian perfecutor I recognise the indulgence of hatred and revenge. But in the. difcipline of a public fchool I fubmit to the inflexible laws of nature and neceffity, in the administration of which the paffions have little fhare. The mafter is an object placed in too diftant a sphere for me to enter into contention with him. I live in a little world of my own of which he is no member; and I fcarcely think more of quarrelling with him, than a failor does. of bearing malice against a tempest.

The confequences of these two modes of education are ufually eminently confpicuous, when the scholar is grown up into a man. The pupil of private education is commonly either aukward

and

4

practices of the fenfual and corrupt the only practices proper to men.

The objections to both the modes of education here difcuffed are of great magnitude. It is unavoidable to enquire, whether a middle way might not be selected, neither entirely public, nor entirely private, avoiding the mischiefs of each, and embracing the advantages of both. This however is perhaps a fubordinate queftion, and of an importance purely temporary. We have here confidered only the modes of education at this time in practice. Perhaps an adventurous and undaunted philofophy would lead to the rejecting them altogether, and pursuing the inveftigation of a mode totally diffimilar. There is nothing so fascinating in either, as should in reafon check the further excurfions of our underftanding *.

The fubject here treated of, may be confidered as taken up, at the point where the prefent difquifition leaves it, in Effay IX.

ESSAY

ESSAY VIII.

OF THE HAPPINESS OF YOUTH.

A SUBJECT upon which the poets

of all ages have delighted to expatiate, is the happiness of youth.

This is a topic which has usually been handled by perfons advanced in life. I do not recollect that it has been felected as a theme for defcription by the young themselves.

It is cafy to perceive why the opinion upon which it proceeds, has been fo generally entertained.

The appearance of young perfons is effentially gratifying to the eye. Their countenances are usually smooth; unmarked with wrinkles, unfurrowed by time. Their eye is fprightly and roving. Their limbs elaftic and active. Their temper kind, and eafy of attachment. They are frank and inartificial; and their frankness shows itself in their very voice. Their gaiety is noify and obtrufive. Their fpirits are inexhauftible; and their forrows and their cares are speedily difmiffed.

practices of the fenfual and corrupt the only practices proper to men.

The objections to both the modes of education here difcuffed are of great magnitude. It is unavoidable to enquire, whether a middle way might not be selected, neither entirely public, nor entirely private, avoiding the mischiefs of each, and embracing the advantages of both. This however is perhaps a fubordinate queftion, and of an importance purely temporary. We have here confidered only the modes of education at this time in practice. Perhaps an adventurous and undaunted philosophy would lead to the rejecting them altogether, and pursuing the inveftigation of a mode totally diffimilar. There is nothing fo fafcinating in either, as fhould in reafon check the further excurfions of our underftanding *.

*The fubject here treated of, may be confidered as taken up, at the point where the prefent difquifition leaves it, in Effay IX.

ESSAY

ESSAY VIII.

OF THE HAPPINESS OF YOUTH.

A SUBJECT upon which the poets of all ages

have delighted to expatiate, is the happiness of youth.

This is a topic which has ufually been handled by perfons advanced in life. I do not recollect that it has been felected as a theme for

defcription by the young themselves.

It is easy to perceive why the opinion upon which it proceeds, has been fo generally entertained.

The appearance of young perfons is effentially gratifying to the eye. Their countenances are ufually fmooth; unmarked with wrinkles, unfurrowed by time. Their eye is sprightly and roving. Their limbs elastic and active. Their temper kind, and eafy of attachment. They are frank and inartificial; and their franknefs shows itself in their very voice. Their gaiety is noify and obtrufive. Their fpirits are inexhauftible; and their forrows and their cares are fpeedily difmiffed.