it by familiar talk with their parents or nurses, or older brothers and sisters. It will greatly contribute to this, if children have for their plays wooden horses, tables, little seats, dishes, pots or pans, cows, sheep, little carriages, mattocks, etc., and not for amusement only, but also for promoting their knowledge of things. For this method will teach the youth according to their own way, and by presenting these little things before their eyes, they will not be ignorant of the greater things which they represent.
10. The political knowledge needful for these first years is indeed but little; for although they hear the names of sovereigns, governors, consuls, legislators, judges, etc., yet inasmuch as they do not visit the places where these functionaries perform, they cannot comprehend them, and could not if they did, inasmuch as they exceed their capacity. There is no necessity, therefore, to take them to such places. For it will be sufficient, if they be accustomed to the rudiments of political intercourse. Comprehending little by little whom they ought to obey, whom to venerate, whom to respect (of this matter we afterwards make mention under morals), as rational conversation may arise with the father, the mother, or the family. For example, when any one calls them, to remember that they are bound to stand still and learn what is desired; also to reply gracefully to questions, although these may be jocular. For we may be agreeably occupied in gently exciting this youthful age, saying this or that playfully with them, for the purpose of sharpening their intellect. They ought therefore to be taught, and that thoroughly, to understand what is said in a joke, and what seriously, and at the same time to know when to return a joke with a joke; and again, when the discourse is really serious, how to be serious accordingly; this they may easily learn from the expression of the countenance, and from the gesture of the person indicating or commanding anything,
