The places wherein they learne be either publike, if they go forth to the Elementarie schole, or priuate if they be taught at home. The teacher either of their owne sex or of ours.
For publike places, bycause in that kinde there is no publike prouision, but such as the professours of their training do make of them selues, I can say little, but leaue them to that and to their parentes circumspection, which both in their being abroad, during their minority, and in bringing them vp at home after their minoritie, I know will be very diligent to haue all thinges well. For their teachers, their owne sex were fittest in some respectes, but ours frame them best, and with good regard to some circumstances will bring them vp excellently well, specially if their parentes be either of learning to iudge, or of authoritie to commaund, or of both, to do both, as experience hath taught vs in those, which haue proued so well. The greater borne Ladyes and gentlewymen, as they are to enioy the benefit of this education most, so they haue best meanes to prosecute it best, being neither restrained in wealth, but to haue the best teachers, and greatest helpes: neither abbridged in time, but to ply all at full. And thus I take my leaue of yong maidens and gentlewymen, to whom I wish as well, as I haue saide well of them.
CHAPTER 39.
Of the traning vp of yong gentlemen. Of priuate and publike education, with their generall goods and illes. That there is no better way for gentlemen to be trained by in any respect then the common is being well appointed. Of rich-mens children which be no gentlemen. Of nobilitie in generall. Of gentlemanlie exercises. What it is to be a nobleman, or a gentleman. That infirmities in noble houses be not to be triumphed ouer. The causes and groundes of nobilitie. Why so many desire to be gentlemen. That gentlemen ought to professe learning and liberall sciences for many good and honorable effectes. Of trauelling into forraine countries: with all the braunches allowance and disallowance thereof: and that it were to be wished, that gentlemen would professe, to make sciences liberall in vse, which are liberall in name. Of the trayning vp of a yong prince.
In the last title I did declare at large, how yong maidens in ech degree were to be auaunced in learning, which me thought was verie incident to my purpose, bycause they be counter-braunches to vs in the kinde of mortall and reasonable creatures, and also for that in eche degree of life, they be still our mates, and sometime our mistresses, through the benefit of law, and honorablenes of birth. Now considering they ioyne allway with vs in number and nearenes, and sometime exceede vs in dignitie and calling: as they communicate with vs in all qualities, and all honours euen vp to the scepter, so why ought they not in any wise but be made communicantes with vs in education and traine, to performe that part well, which they are to play, for either equalitie with vs, or soueraintie aboue vs? Here now ensueth another title of meruelous importaunce, for the kinde of people, whereof I am to entreat: bycause their state is still in the superlatiue, and the greatest executions be theirs by degree, though sometime they leese them by their owne default, and set them ouer to such, as nature maketh noble by ingenerate vertues. I meane the trayning vp of yong gentlemen in euery degree and to what so euer ascent, bycause euen the crowne and kingdome is their height, though it come to the female, when their side faileth. For gentlemen will commonly be exempt from the common, as in title, so also in traine, refrayning the publike, though they hold of the male, and preferring the priuate, to be liker to maidens, whose education is most priuate, bycause of their kinde, and therefore not misliked: whereas yong gentlemen should be publike, bycause of their vse. And for not being such, they beare some blame, as therein contrarying both all the best ordered common weales, and all the most excellent and the learnedest writers, which bring vp euen the best princes allway with great company.
But seeing they wilbe priuate, and I take vpon me not to leap ouer any, which light within my compasse, and chiefly yong gentlemen, whose ordinarie greatnes is to gouerne our state, and to be publike pillers for the prince to leane on, and the people to staie by: their priuate choice commaundes me a priuate consideration, which in yong gentlewymen needed not any handling, bycause it beseemeth them to be taught in priuate: in gentlemen it needeth, the case being doubtfull, whether priuate trayning be their best or no. And though this argument succede yong maidens in order of methode, I hope yong gentlemen will not be offended neither with me for the placing, seeing the other sex is in possesssion of prerogatiue, nor with them for being so placed, which haue wone the best place.
Of priuate education.
Priuate.
Education.