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That the boarding Scholars diet[1] together, plainly, temperately, and frugally.
That to keep them in Health, and to strengthen and render active their Bodies, they be frequently[2] exercis'd in Running, Leaping, Wrestling, and Swimming[3], &c.
- ↑ Perhaps it would be best if none of the Scholars were to diet abroad. Milton is of that Opinion (Tractate of Education) for that much Time would else be lost, and many ill Habits got.
- ↑ Milton proposes, that an Hour and Half before Dinner should be allow'd for Exercise, and recommends among other Exercises, the handling of Arms, but perhaps this may not be thought necessary here. Turnbull, p. 318. says, "Corporal Exercise invigorates the Soul as well as the Body; let one be kept closely to Reading, without allowing him any Respite from Thinking, or any Exercise to his Body, and were it possible to preserve long, by such a Method, his Liking to Study and Knowledge, yet we should soon find such an one become no less soft in his Mind than in his outward Man. Both Mind and Body would thus become gradually too relaxed, too much unbraced for the Fatigues and Duties of active Life. Such is the Union between Soul and Body, that the same Exercises which are conducive, when rightly managed, to consolidate or strengthen the former, are likewise equally necessary and fit to produce Courage, Firmness, and manly Vigour, in the latter, or this, and other Reasons, certain hardy Exercises were reckoned by the Antients an essential Part in the Formation of a liberal Character; and ought to have their Place in Schools where Youth are taught the Languages and Sciences." See p. 318 to 323.
- ↑ 'Tis suppos'd that every Parent would be glad to have their Children skill'd in Swimming, if it might be learnt in a Place chosen for its Safety, and under the Eye of a careful Person. Mr. Lecke says, p. 9. in his Treatise of Education; "'Tis that saves many a Man's Life; and the Romans thought it so necessary, that they rank'd it with Letters; and it was the common Phrase to mark one ill educated, and good for nothing, that he had neither learnt to read nor to swim; Nec litteras didicit nec Nature. But besides the gaining a Skill which may relieve him at Need, the Advantages to Health by often Bath-
