As Mr. Graves concluded this sentence Mr. Sedley softly opened the door. “I thought you had been asleep, Sir,” said he, “or I should have been with you sooner. I am afraid this young man has disturbed you.” “O! not at all,” returned the old gentleman, “his company is always a cordial to me. I forget the infirmities of age when I see my children and grand-children round me; and I am sorry we must so soon part from William as you mentioned this morning.” “He must go to school this week,” said his father. “We shall all grieve to lose him; but his learning cannot be neglected. He will not wish, I hope, to waste this most important part of his life without its due improvement; and now is the time to lay the foundation for every future excellence.” “But is not the culture of the heart then,” replied the melancholy Sedley, “is not that the most essential point? and I am sure if I improve in the knowledge of the classics, I do not in the science of Virtue: and pray of what use is it to learn the metamorphoses of Ovid? that Arachne was converted into a spider,—Narcissus transformed to a flower,—that Pyramus and Thisbe were turned into mulberry-trees,—and the rest of the fabulous stories of the poets? What is it to me that Æneas went to Carthage,—that Dido stabbed herself when he departed thence; or that he afterward, conquered in the engagement with Turnus; and the rest of the history with which we are plagued in Virgil? And as to the care of my morals I am under much greater temptations, from the bad examples of my school-fellows, and from wanting the kind advice of my friends, than I could be at home. And as I am not designed either for a clergyman or counsellor, I do not see any great necessity for my learning so very much.” “I am sorry to see you thus averse to study,” said his father, “as it is of the utmost consequence to your appearance in life. Do you consider, that without a cultivated understanding, a thorough knowledge of history, and an acquaintance with Homer, Virgil, Terence, Ovid, and those authors who you seem so much to despise; you can never make an agreeable companion to men of sense. By the perusal of history you will learn to distinguish truth from fable, and to know what part is founded on fact, and what on the imagination of the poet. These authors will store your mind with images the most sublime and beautiful, assist your judgment, and form your taste; since their works have been esteemed the model for composition in all succeeding times. Without a constant attention, therefore, to improve in reading and understanding them, you will be ignorant of those subjects which every author refers to; which are frequently the foundation of conversation, and which afford hints to the sculptor and the painter for their finest pieces. You will stare with stupid wonder at every object of this kind that you meet with, unknowing to what they refer, or what they mean to represent. Besides, as the Heathen Mythology, or account of their Gods, is connected with this study, it is absolutely necessary you should be acquainted with it. Many things that now appear absurd in the account of their worship, had in their original a deeper moral: this though idle boys may not understand or search for, it would much improve you to be taught. When you read that Minerva the Goddess of wisdom was produced out of Jupiter’s brain; the poets intended to represent by it, that the wit and ingenuity of man did not invent the useful sciences, which were for universal advantage derived from the brain of Jupiter; that is, from the inexhausted fountain of the Divine Wisdom, from whence not only the arts and sciences, but the blessings of knowledge and virtue also proceed. The helm, the shield, and all the different symbols which belong to her character have each their particular meaning: to instance to you only in one of them. The owl, a bird supposed to see in the dark, was sacred to Minerva, and painted upon her images, as the representation of a wise man, who scattering and dispelling the clouds of ignorance and error, is clear sighted when others are stark blind. So you, who take all the fictions of the poets for nonsense and folly, would, if you had learning to comprehend their meaning, not only be entertained with their beauties, but improved by the moral they contain. The more you know, and the greater proficiency you make in study, the higher pleasure will it afford you; but while you consider your lessons as tasks which you are to get by heart, and what will be of no use to you in future, you defeat the purpose of your education, are unhappy now, and will be despised and contemned hereafter. A gentleman should be still more superior by his merit than his fortune: his knowledge should be more general and diffusive than is required for any profession whatever. He ought to be acquainted with the great authors of ancient and modern times, understand the constitution and laws of his own country; and by the contemplation of every noble character, learn to form his own to perfection. Do not, therefore, entertain so mean an opinion of yourself, or your future consequence, as to rely on your estate alone for respect. Let religion be your guide and chief study; but let history, poetry, with every branch of polite and useful learning, be considered as essential to your education.”—
Here ceased Mr. Sedley, and his son looked down in timid silence, fearful he had offended his friends by the indifference he had expressed for his exercise. Mr. Graves, however, encouraged him, by kindly adding, “When you have mastered the first steps, you will mount upward with alacrity. The beginning of every attempt is difficult; but be of good courage; persevere, and you will find it afterwards pleasant, easy, and agreeable.”
During the foregoing conversation, Jeffery Squander had called to invite William to dine with him, and afterwards to return to school in his father’s coach; and Mrs. Sedley now introduced the young gentleman up stairs. The offer was so convenient (as it was before intended he should go back the next morning) that it was accepted with satisfaction by all but the person whom it most concerned. Yet poor Sedley was ashamed to express his reluctance while in company with his school-fellow; and made no opposition to the proposal. The tears, however, which he endeavoured to suppress, would officiously start into his eyes.—His father patted him on the back, and said, “it would make but a few hours difference.”—His grandfather stroaked his cheek as he turned round towards the window to hide his emotion. This affected him still more, and his mother letting fall her scissars, he picked them up; but as she was stooping for them at the same time, he saw that her eyes shewed equal concern; which, unwilling to have observed, she had not immediately wiped away, and he received a tear upon his hand.—It was necessary he should immediately retire to prepare for his departure. He was spared the pain of taking leave of his brother and sister, they happening to be from home; a circumstance which he much regretted, as they would not return till the evening.
When he had given a little indulgence to his grief in private, he returned to his friends, and endeavoured to assume a more cheerful countenance than suited the affliction of his mind. But he remembered the chimney-sweeper, and tried to be satisfied. At length his companion being impatient, he was obliged to take a hasty leave of his beloved relations, and followed by their affectionate wishes for his welfare, accompanied Jeffery Squander with a melancholy heart to dinner, and to School.
THE END.
PUBLICATIONS for the Instruction and Entertainment of YOUNG MINDS; Printed and Sold by John Marshall and Co. at No. 4, Aldermary Church Yard, Bow-Lane, London.
ANECDOTES of a Boarding-School; or, An Antidote to the Vices of those useful Seminaries, 2 Vols. Price 1s. each.
Poems on various Subjects, for the Amusement of Youth. Price 1s.
Letters and Dialogues on Morality, Oeconomy, and Politeness, for the Improvement and Entertainment of young Female Minds, 3 Vols. Price 1s. each.