180 iterary olla. No. x. Oct. 2 2 
West. By no means, Horace, and to give you the re- 
ply valiant, I super-add inthe words of the same poet of 
the Thames, that I was thinking of our placid and agree- 
able situation here, while Stanhope * is thundering in the 
senate, and Spain trembling through all her borders. 
Oh happinefs of sweet retir’d content ! 
To be at once secure and innocent. 
Gray. Bravo! young courtiers: but as the morningis’ 
yet early, what would ye think of resuming the conversa- 
tion of yesterday, on the proper training and employment 
of youth; and how they lead to honourable manhood, 
and venerable old age ? 
Walpole and West. With all our hearts; we only 
wiihed to play alittle prelude, to your pleasing solo. 
Gray. In spite of your merriment gentlemen I will be 
serious. 
We hed determined yesterday, as you may remember, 
by an unanimous opinion, that the capital end of a good 
education was to form a reasonable, useful, and benevolent 
man ; and that the most proper and efficatious method of 
leading young people to what is reasonable, useful, ° and 
benevolent, was to inspire them with confidence and awe 
towards the great intelligent author of nature. 
Valpole. We did so; but you must also recollect that 
I entertained some doubt concerning the means to avoid 
chatechistical rote, metaphysics, or superstition, in begin- 
ning too early with the grand foundation of religion. 
West. My fears do not lye upon that side, but rather 
upon the other. 
Gray. I would have children gradually and familiarly, 
* Stanhope earl of Chesterfield (April 1739) agitating the house 
of lords. : 
