ESS.-l YS CIVIL AND MORAL. 



The difference in affection of parents towards their several children 

 is many times unequal; and sometimes unworthy; especially in the 

 mother; as Solomon saith, &quot;A wise son rejoiceth the father, but an 

 ungracious son shames the mother.&quot; A man shall see, where there is 

 a house full of children, one or two of the eldest respected, and the 

 youngest made wantons ; but in the midst, some that arc as it were 

 forgotten, who many times nevertheless prove the best. The 

 illibcrality of parents in allowance towards their children, is ail 

 harmful error ; makes them base ; acquaints them with shifts ; makes 

 them sort with mean company ; and makes them surfeit more \vhcn 

 they come to plenty : and therefore the proof is best when men keep 

 their authority towards their children, but not their purse. Men have 

 a foolish manner, both parents, and schoolmasters, and servants, in 

 creating and breeding an emulation between brothers, during child 

 hood, which many times sorlcth to discord when they are men, and 

 dis urbcth families. The Italians make little difference between 

 chiUhen and nephews, or near kinsfolks; but so they be of the lump 

 they care not, thou;.;h they pass not through their own body. And, to 

 say truth, in nature it is much a like matter ; insomuch that we see a 

 nephew sometimes rcscmbleth an uncle, or a kinsman, more than his 

 own parent ; as the blood happens. Let parents choose betimes the 

 vocations and courses they mean their children should take : tor then 

 they are mM flexible : .uul let them not too much apply themselves to 

 the disposition ot their children, as thinking they will take best to that 

 \\hich they have most mind to. It is true, that if the affection or 

 nptncss of the children be extraordinary, then it is good not to cross 

 : but generally the precept is good. &quot; Optimum clige, suave et facile 

 Hud facict consuetudo.&quot; Younger brothers are commonly fortunate, 

 but seldom or never where the elder are disinherited. 



VI!!. OF MARRIAGE AXP SINGLE LIFE. 



He that \\.\\\\ wife and children, luth given hostages to fortune ; 

 s to cre.u enterprises, either of virtue or 



mischief. Certainly the be&amp;gt;t works and of greatest merit for the public, 

 eded Irom the unmarried or childless men : which both in 

 have married and endowed the public. Yet it 

 wer gieat reason, that those that have children should have greatest 

 of future times ; unto which they know they must transmit their 



care y now ey must transmt ter 



it pledges Some there are, who though they lead a single life, 

 ts do end with themselves, and account future times 

 Nav, there are some other, that account wife and 

 ol charges. Nay more, there are some foolish 



Si c SST l l K allake \ pride in havin s no chiKlrcn fc** 



so much the richer. For perhaps thev have 



i \v mC K 1 &amp;gt; h V ch , a nc 1S a * rcat rich nwn d &quot;Ste except 

 harge of children: as if it were & 

 is riches. Hut the most ordinary cause of a single life 

 Wdb an:&quot; 1 * If. In &amp;lt;*&quot;&quot; self-pleasing and humourous minds, 

 h are so scns.ble of every restraint, as thev will f o near to think 



