THE SECOND BOOK 161 



difference of tradition which is proper for youth ; where- 

 unto appertain divers considerations of great fruit. 



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 swimming with bladders, and another to prac- 

 tise dancing with heavy shoes, 



A third is the application of learning according imto 

 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 wis- 

 dom, 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 exer- 

 cises. It were too long to particularize 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 infancy thereof was the princi- 

 pal cause of the immense greatness of that state which 

 followed, so the culture and manurance of minds in 

 youth had such a forcible (though unseen) operation, 



M 



