rity of the nation fo much depends on it, that I would have every one lay it feriously to heart and, after having well examined and diftinguished what fancy, custom, or reason advifes in the cafe, fet his helping hand to promote every where that way of training up. youth, with regard to their feveral conditions, which is the eafieft, fhorteft, and likelieft to produce virtuous, ufeful and able men in their diftinct callings: tho' that most to be taken care of is, the gentleman's calling; for if thofe of that rank are by their education once fet right, they will quickly bring all the reft into order.

I know not whether I have done more than fhewn my good wishes towards it in this fhort difcourfe. Such as it is the world now has it; and if their be any thing in it worth their acceptance, they owe their thanks to you for it. My affection to you gave the first rife to it; and I am pleafed, that I can leave to po. flerity this mark of the friendship that has been between us. For I know no greater pleasure in this life, nor a better remembrance to be left behind one, than a long continued friendfhip with an honeft, ufeful and worthy man, and lover of his country. I am,

March 7. 1690.

SIR,

Your most humble,

and most obedient Servant,

JOHN LOСКЕ.

SI.

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SOUND mind in a found body, is a fhort, but full defcription of a happy ftate in this world. He that has thefe two, has little more to wifh for; and he that wants either of them, will be but little the better for any thing elfe. Mens happiness or mifery is most part of their own making. He, whofe mind directs not wifely, will never take the right way, and he, whofe body is crazy and feeble, will never be able to advance in it. I confefs, there are fome men's conftitutions of body and mind fo vigorous, and well fram'd by nature, that they need not much affiftance from others but by the ftrength of their na tural genius, they are, from their cradles, car ried to wards what is excellent; and by the pri vilege

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vilege of their happy conftitutions, are able to do wonders. But examples of this kind are but few; and I think I may fay, that of all the men we meet with, nine parts of ten are what they are, good or evil, ufeful or not, ly their education. 'Tis that which makes the great difference in mankind. The little or almost infenfible impreffions on our tender infancies, have very important and lafting confequences: And their 'tis, as in the fountains of fome rivers, where a gentle application of the hand turns the flexible waters into channels, that make them take quite contrary courfes ; and by this little direction given them at firft in the fource, they receive different tendencies, and arrive at laft at very remote and diftant places.

§ 2. I imagine the minds of children as eafily turned this or that way, as water itfelf: And though this be the principal part, and our main care fhould be about the infide, yet the clay-cottage is not to be neglected. I fhall therefore begin with the cafe, and confider firft the health of the body: as that which perhaps you may rather expect from that ftudy I have been thought more peculiarly to have apply'd myfelf to; and that alfo which will be fooneft dispatched, as lying, if I guefs not amifs, in a very little compafs.

Health.

§ 3. How neceifiry health is to our bufi

ncfs