XIX. 2.] THE SECOND BOOK. 183 



As first, the timing and seasoning of knowledges ; as 

 with what to initiate them, and from what for a time to 

 refrain them. 



Secondly, the consideration where to begin with the 

 easiest, and so proceed to the more difficult ; and in what 

 courses to press the more difficult, and then to turn them 

 to the more easy : for it is one method to practise swim 

 ming with bladders, and another to practise dancing with 

 heavy shoes. 



A third is the application of learning according unto 

 the propriety of the wits ; for there is no defect in the 

 faculties intellectual, but seemeth to have a proper cure 

 contained in some studies : as, for example, if a child be 

 bird-witted, that is, hath not the faculty of attention, the 

 mathematics giveth a remedy thereunto ; for in them, if 

 the wit be caught away but a moment, one is new to 

 begin. And as sciences have a propriety towards faculties 

 for cure and help, so faculties or powers have a sympathy 

 towards sciences for excellency or speedy profiting : and 

 therefore it is an inquiry of great wisdom, what kinds of 

 wits and natures are most apt and proper for what sciences. 



Fourthly, the ordering of exercises is matter of great 

 consequence to hurt or help : for, as is well observed by 

 Cicero, men in exercising their faculties, if they be not 

 well advised, do exercise their faults and get ill habits as 

 well as good ; so as there is a great judgement to be had 

 in the continuance and intermission of exercises. It were 

 too long to particularise a number of other considerations 

 of this nature, things but of mean appearance, but of 

 singular efficacy. For as the wronging or cherishing of 

 seeds or young plants is that that is most important 

 to their thriving, and as it was noted that the first six 

 kings being in truth as tutors of the state of Rome in the 



