252 literary olla, Nox. WT TAL. 
' It hath always been my opinion, that, next to a well 
poised and well administered government, a virtuous insti- 
tution of youth, is the most effectual method of giving ef- 
ficacy to the laws, and prosperity to the state. 
Indeed, I might well have given it the first place, if I 
had not made the art of government so much my study, 
as to foresee the practicability of a system of government | 
being arranged so.as to produce the effect desired, without 
the interposition of the legislative power, or the invasion’ 
of the sacred right of domestic authority, 
The formation of a brave, well organised, and good 
citizen, ought to begin indeed from his first origin ; for 
it is impofsible that the spawn of enervated luxury can 
grow into any thing that can be fit for great occasions, 
The mind cannot act in a feeble body forthe great and | 
energetic purposes of society, Nerves, but not the nerves 
of modern tone, are supereminently required, and you 
must make your pupil a man, betore you can think of 
making him good or great, 
The next step towards the preparation of the man of 
my system, is the exposure of his body to the greatest 
pofsible number of harmlefs excitements, and his mind, 
through that only medium, to the greatest pofsible number 
of elementary imprefsions, whereby the first is strengthen. 
ed, and the latter informed experimentally with nature and 
sentiment. I would have my pupil nursed by a robust, 
sensible, talkative mother, if he has one, and if not, by 
a nurse chosen for such qualities. He ought to walk | 
without help: if he is properly trained, in his eartiest in- 
fancy, and, by €xposure to various little accidents, he 
will gather acquaintance with all the objects that are a- 
_ bout him, be able to keep himself out of the way of mis- 
chief, and to help himself on a great many little occa- 
sions, 
; 
