GReat was the Errour of Francis Duke of Britany , who declared himself to be the more inamoured with Isabella Daughter of Scotland , because he understood she was altogether unexperienced in the knowledge of good Literature , alledging that a young Lady ( being to be married ) was learned enough , if she could but put a difference betwixt the shirt and Doublet of her Husband . This indeed was a weak conceit , for they who would not have young Ladies indued with letters , do deserve to have what they so much fear , and preposterously do ground their suspitions , on those Reasons , which ought to afford them the greatest Security .

It is the help of Learning that fortifies the best Inclinations , and they who are perswaded that the reading of Books is but a School to learn to do evil with more dexterity , Their Reading . may do better to believe that young Gentlewomen do thereby find a greater means to correct , than to corrupt themselves .

In the Education therefore of young Gentlewomen , the chiefest care is to lay a good foundation , by giving them in their minority such generous Incouragements , as may promise to their Parents much happiness when they shall arrive to the full growth of understanding .

And the best way to improve their understandings is to bring them up to the Knowledge of Letters ; For young Ladies when they have arrived to some knowledge by reading , afford great pleasure in their Conversation to others , and receive no less when they are alone by themselves ; for Reading assisteth Conversation , and is absolutely necessary to make the Spirit acceptable and gratefull ; for as in Reading they do gather and find , almost on all occasions , a fit subject for discourse , so by conversation they find a happy and easie method to deliver themselves with Ornament , and to joyn plenty to facility : And without this Education , Conversation is an intolerable Tyrant ; for we cannot without torment intertain any Discourse with those Gentlewomen , who if they be of the Countrey , can administer no other Discourse unto you , but of their Ducks , or their Geese ; or if they be of the City , can talk of nothing , unless it be of their Whisks , or their Gorgets , or those Attires that are most in fashion .

And because Education exceedeth Nature , for by Nature we have a Being only , but by Education a Well-being ; A great care is to be used by the Parents , Their Exercise . as soon as the Infant is able to go , or to speak , concerning the forming of her Mind , and the well-ordering of the Body : we will speak first of the Body .

To preserve the Body in health ( when Physick is not requisite , and Physick in such tender constitutions is but seldom to be used ) some moderate Exercise is required , as walking in the fields , if the season be dry and fair , or if the weather be not so kind , some Recreation that reflects on motion within the doors . The Faculty of Dancing in a young Lady is very commendable , but so , as not to make it the most remarkable in her properties , For where Dancing is the best , Beshrew me I suspect the rest .

The curious do here give precepts not to lie too long in bed , by dulling the Spirits with too much sleep , nor yet to repair too late to rest , by decaying them with too little . There are Cautions also prescribed for young Ladies for their sitting , and stooping , and for the carrying of young children in their armes to preserve the Body upright , and in a strait posture . Remedies also to prevent infirmities incident to the Bodies of young people , and to rectifie exuberances , and defects by Nature , which because they properly belong to the practical care of the Physician and Chirurgion , we shall leave these Considerations unto them , and passe from the well ordering of the Body to the forming of the Mind .

I have already made mention , that Reading of Books doth conduce much to the Improvement of the understandings of young Gentlewomen ; What Books they are to read . now great care is to be taken to provide them with such Books as may enrich their knowledge , and to teach them what to love , what to fear , and desire . In the first place they are to read Books of Piety , which may inflame their hearts with the love of God ; and in this all the faculties of their Memory , Imagination , and of their Reason are continually to be exercised ; it cannot be imagined how much this Impression prevaileth even to the conquering of Nature it self , for this will preserve their souls from the contagion and corruption of the world ; the better to effect which , their Governesses , who have the care of them , must use their utmost diligence to keep unviolated the two Gates of their Souls , that is , their Ears , and their Eyes , and especially to keep them from conversing with those persons who delight in wanton and loose discourses , it being a far easier task to surprize the Ear , than the Eye ; for in the perusal of good Books , the Eye cannot erre , but idle discourses do pleasantly and privately insinuate themselves into the Ear , and do carry a bad Air with them that doth infect the Soul .

It may here be questioned , Whether the reading of Romances may be permitted to young Ladies , of which divers men speak diversly according to the variety of their fancies ; but the most received opinion is , that such Romances that are of a serious , generous , and of a noble Subject , are not only to be permitted , but to be preferred to their observance ; and I am ready to jump into this opinion with them ; for I know a young Lady in this City of London , who reading in Cassandra of the Love betwixt Orondates and Statyra the Daughter of Darius , and of the crosse Events , that , up to a wonder , did attend it , was so delighted with the Story , that it left an honourable , and a gallant Impression upon her Spirits ; not that she was in love with Orondates ( though represented to be a Princely personage ) but with the magnanimity of his noble Patience , and with his incomparable Constancy , and Courage that did render him so remarkable . And young Gentlewomen , I would to God , that you had all such accomplished persons for your Husbands , as Orondates is there expressed to be .

To entertain young Gentlewomen in their hours of Recreation , we shall further commend unto them , The grounds of all the thirty Histories are true , as appears in the last Epistle before the Book . Gods Revenge against Murther ; And , The Arcadia of Sir Philip Sydney ; Art midorus his Interpretation of Dreams . And for the Business of their Devotion , there is an excellent Book entituled D. Taylors Holy Living and Dying : The Duty of Man , in which the Duty to God and Man are both comprehended .

Having thus made an Assay of the Education of young Gentlewomen , as to their Reading , we will now proceed to their Working , Their Needle working . which consists in several particulars , as True-Stitch , Sattin stitch , Queen-stitch , Rock-work , Frost-work , Mosse-work , and a hundred more of the like curiosity , which being altogether the Exercise and Subjects of the Needle , and not of the Pen , we will leave them in their performances to the Eye and Care of their Governesse or her Substitute , and proceed , to instruct you what their Instructresse her self , o● their Governesse ought to be .

Their Governesses . The persons to guard and instruct young Gentlewomen , should be Gentlewomen well born themselves , of a civil and a sweet pleasing conversation ; they should not in their teaching proceed against their Schollars in any rough or severe manner , but instruct them sweetly , mildly , and cheerfully ; they should not strike them , nor startle them with any loud importunity of Reproof , which breedeth in tender Constitutions , a fear and a hatred of that which they should love , and takes away their courage and delight in learning . The precept of the Apostle to Parents , Col. 3. may be well applied unto them , Parents provoke not your children to wrath , least they be discouraged .

Undoubtedly there is something servile in Rigour and Restraint , which looks another way , and is an Enemy to Ingenuity and Honour ; Taunts are for Fools , and Blows for Beasts that understand not Reason , and Reason being the Beauty of Action , is to be accompanied always with cheerfulness , and an allowed liberty .

Many Instances may be given of the evil consequences which attend unadvised and passionate Governours in Schools , whether Male , or Female . I do read that in the dayes of Queen Elizabeth a great part of the Schollars did run away from Eaton-School , by reason of the great Severity of the School-master , which gave occasion to Mr Ascham , by the Incouragement of some great Personages , to write that excellent Book concerning the Education of Youth .

Some years since a Governess of a School in the County of Northampton , being falsly and spitefully possessed by two of her Schollars , of some evil carriage of another of their fellows , without any examining of the accusation whether it were true or false , did give the innocent Maid such violent correction , that she grew distracted on it .

The like lately happened in Surrey , where a young Maid lying longer in Bed than she was accustomed , and complaining of a great pain in her head , was so cruelly intreated by her Governess , that she sent up a lusty Maid unto her , to overcome the violence of one pain , by the smart of another ; and this was performed with so much Insolence and Tyranny , that on the next day the poor young Gentlewoman died . This was not long since done , and it is still so fresh in memory , that her Parents and Friends do no sooner hear her Name mentioned , but they season the freshness of their griefs with the salt of a Tear .

And in this respect , the Severity and Imperiousness of some Mothers is much to be condemned , who as Queen Margaret of France maketh mention in her Memorials of her own Mother , do look upon them with so awfull a countenance , that they are glad ( though innocent ) to steal away from them for fear they have done something that might offend them . They never look upon their Children , nor speak unto them but with Authority , as if they were Tyrants over them , rather than Mothers , not caring so much for their Childrens love , as that they may he feared , reverenced and adored . And for this cause many of them do keep their Children sparingly , and in want , and are ever threatning them with some small pittance of portion that they will leave them when they die . Parents should not be too rough with their children . And this severe way of Deportment ( too frequent in England amongst many mothers ) is to distrust their own proper , natural Authority , by getting unto themselves an Artificial one , and to cause them to grow in contempt with their own Children , which is clean contrary to that which they pretend .

It is therefore the Judgment of a Person eminent for his Learning and his Wisdom , That Parents should receive their Children , as soon as they be capable , unto their Society , and admit them into their Councels , and to the Communication of their Designs , yea and consent to their honest-Recreations , and their Pastimes , that reverend Degree of Age , by which they are distinguished , and that becoming Authority , with which God and Nature hath indued them , being alwayes reserved .

Now if it so comes to passe that young Gentlewomen in the hours of their Imployment , How they are to be dealed with when faulty . do fail in the performance of their tasks , they are so discreetly to be dealt withall , as not to be inforced to have recourse to lies , and false Excuses to save themselves from the Rigour of Punishment ; but they are to be used freely and liberally , with sweet and mild perswasions which ingender in their hearts the affections of Honour , and of shame ; the one whereof is as a Spur to Good , and the other as the Rein of a Bridle to check , and to withdraw them from Evil . And it is farther to be observed , that what cannot be effected with Reason , Wisdom and Diligence , shall never be done by force , or if it be done , it will be but to little purpose . I knew therefore a Tutour of eminent worth in the University of Oxford , who if he found his Pupill intractable , he would forbear all violent courses , and return him to his Parents from whence he received him to learn him some other Arts , and another course of life , since Learning was so averse unto him .

But whiles we here speak of using young Gentlewomen in their minority with tenderness and love , let no man think that we give the least approbation to any loose or flattering Indulgence to defend them in their sloth or vanity ; for Youth ( as the Wise man saith ) must be held in with Discipline and Obedience .

Now since that Education consisteth most in Instructions ; Instruction is gained three wayes , the one by Precept , Examples to profit ●y . the second by Conference , and the third by Example . Now Examples are by the Living and by the Dead ; by the Living in their way of Discourse , and Commerce with them ; and this is the most ready way of all , for it teacheth with most ease , and most delight : To teach by Precepts is a long way , because it is a painfull thing to understand well , to retain well , to practise well : But Discourse and Imitation Imitation . do teach above any Precept , and do invite with more ardour , and do promise to our selves that Excellence which we learn to imitate ; The Spirits and Manners of young Gentlewomen are apt to conforme themselves to the Dispositions of those persons with whom they commonly do converse .

The other way of profiting by Example is taken from the Dead ; and this Commerce with the Dead is by Books ; the Gentlewomen who know how to make use of them , will receive thereby as much assistance , as Delight ; for the company of good Books will discharge them of the burden of tedious idleness , and withdraw their minds from fond Imaginations .

And this indeed to some Dispositions will appear a more gratefull way , than that of Commerce or Conversation ; for there are many young Gentlewomen of so innate a Modesty , that untill they be very well acquainted do not desire a familiarity with any , be their Discourses never so attractive , or their parts so excellent ; now a Book is alwayes a ready and a faithfull Companion .

The Governess who is to teach , if she finds her young Schollar addicted to reading , is to ask her , what she thinks of such a Book , or such a Book ; or if she finds her more addicted to company and conversation , she is to demand of her , what she thinks of such a Gentlewoman , or such a Gentleman , whose Example she conceives to be attractive , and whose Virtues to be a Guide and a Guard unto her : And when she hath delivered her mind , the Governess is to desire her to give a Reason for her saying , which will make her young Schollars more carefull of what they speak . Probation . And to give them better Incouragement therein , the Mistress or Governess is not to neglect what answer they do make , but to commend it , and applaud , at least their good Essay and Indeavour . And this is a way , which if more used , would be more profitable , then at the first notion can be imagined ; for ( as my Latine Authour saith ) it is no bald Instruction .

That which is most to be desired in young Gentle women , is good Manners , Good Manners . in which both Soul and Body have a part ; The great business is to hinder the growth of evil manners , and to ingraft the Good : There can be no time too soon to obstrust the Birth of those corruptions which are growing even upon the purest Natures without a diligent circumspection .

The first to be condemned , What evil things to be abandoned . is the speaking of an Untruth , especially , the standing in it , being spoken ; this is a Vice belonging rather to slaves than to free born persons , and it is the Argument of a licentious , and of a fearfull mind .

The second may be ranked rather amongst the number of Infirmities , than Vices , and it is an Over-modesty , when young Maids do seek to hide themselves from the observation of those , who peradventure have taken the pains on purpose to come to see them ; or when they hold down their heads , and cannot indure the least Reproof without some manifest alteration of their countenance : Nature indeed bears a great sway in this , but is must be corrected with Education and Discretion .

The third is Obstinacy , which is a sullen fault indeed , and not to be excused , for it is not only unprofitable , but ugly and sordid ; and in this let a young Maid be never flattered .

The fourth is Sloth , by which she becomes not only burdensom to others , but to her self , by which she contracts diseases , and becomes heavy and dull both in Mind and Body .

What good to be imbraced . The Seeds of Vertues and good Manners ( as the moral Philosophers affirm ) are naturally in every Man and Woman , but good Education will make them bring forth and multiply : The first that is to be improved is , the Fear of God , The Fear of God . to serve him at the least every Morning and every Evening , to tremble under his Infinite and Incomprehensible Majesty , to know him in all his Attributes , and to be conformable to the Discipline of the Church .

The second Virtue is Ingenuity , Candour , and Integrity , and an honest , and an honourable Mind in the meer consideration of Virtue it self .

The third is Modesty , and a ready Accommodation to all kind of approved persons ; and in Schools the good Company of young Gentlewomen , and their mutual Conversation with one another , doth produce a sweet kind of Affability .

The fourth is a reverend Esteem of their Parents , whose blessing on their knees they are to crave every Morning and every Evening , and whose roughest and hardest commands they are to obey , and mildly to endure the pettish Infirmities of their old Age , and to lend them their Assistance , if necessity shall require , and not to do any thing without their advice and approbation .

And thus much concerning the Ordering , and the Education of young Gentlewomen , which being the foundation of all their Future Happiness , I have insisted something longer on it , than I promised .