| Citation |
RNYG.783.045
1 Mar 1783:22,23,24 (671)
Politics Aside!
To the Academicians, &c. of America, the following is, with
perfect deference addressed; they consist of Extracts from
a valuable Tutor in England.
Liberal Education: or a Practical Essay on the Methods of
acquiring useful and polite Learning. By the Rev. Vicesimus
Knox, M.A. late Fellow of St. John's College, Oxford, and
now Major of Tunbridge School.
. . . [col. 1 discusses the authors to read. col. 2 . . .
27 lines]
Ornamental accomplishments, always considered as
subordinate, are dancing, fencing, the military exercise,
music, and drawing. But amidst those pursuits let the
student remember that life is short, and art long.
Geography,or the use of maps, should be taught very early.
In ancient Geography let Cellarius, in modern let Guthrie
guide; in Mathematics, Wells; in History, Rollin, Vols. I
and II. Select Lives of Plutarch, History of Rome by
Question and Answer, Goldsmith's History of Greece and Rome,
English Biography, and the abridgement of Spence's
Polymetis, with a little chronology. To acquire elocution,
Yc. rehearsals of celebrated authors, Greek, Latin, and
English, are advised once a week. Many good rules for this
purpose are laid down. Acting of plays, English in
particular, is exploded. As instructors in speaking, Burgh,
Enfield, and some parts of Sheridan's Art of Reading, are
recommended. Study without taste is often irksome labour;
with taste, it confers a happiness beyond the reach of
fortune, and superior to the ordinary condition of humanity.
A poetical turn in boys of fortune should be encouraged, not
by Byshe and Gildon, but by Milton, Shakespeare, and Pope.
A love of letters should be inspired by various incentives
(here specified), and when once he feels an ambition of
literary fame, the pupil will secure improvement. Even to
genius industry, perservering industry, is shewn to be
absolutely necessary. For private studies our author
recommends, at the age of 13 or 14, Addison's Spectators,
Rollin's Ancient History, Plutarch's Lives, the Grecian and
Roman History, and even Robinson Crusoe, Telemachus, and Don
Quixote, with the best English poetry; and at 15, not only
English but some Latin author. Novels are prohibited . . .
.[advises a classical education for unmarried and opulent
ladies, lists books to be read, dates of holidays, discusses
morals, manners, universities]
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