LETTER XXIV.

_SCHOOLS._

Tu quoque ne metuas, quamvis schola verbere multo Increpet et truculenta senex geret ora magister; Degeneres animos timor arguit; at tibi consta Intrepidus, nec te clamor, plagæque sonantes, Nec matutinis agitet formido sub horis, Quod sceptrum vibrat ferulæ, quod multa supellex Virgea, quod molis scuticam prætexit aluta, Quod fervent trepido subsellia vestra tumultu; Pompa loci, et vani fugiatur scena timoris.

_Ausonius in Protreptico ad Nepotem_ [vv. 24-33].

Be it a weakness, it deserves some praise,-- We love the play-place of our early days; The scene is touching, and the heart is stone That feels not at that sight--and feels at none. The wall on which we tried our graving skill; The very name we carved subsisting still; The bench on which we sat while deep employ'd, Though mangled, hack'd, and hew'd, yet not destroy'd. The little ones unbutton'd, glowing hot, Playing our games, and on the very spot; As happy as we once to kneel and draw The chalky ring and knuckle down at taw. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . This fond attachment to the well-known place, When first we started into life's long race, Maintains its hold with such unfailing sway, We feel it e'en in age, and at our latest day.

_Cowper_ [Tirocinium, ll. 296-317].

Schools of every Kind to be found in the Borough--The School for Infants--The School Preparatory: the Sagacity of the Mistress in foreseeing Character--Day-Schools of the lower Kind--A Master with Talents adapted to such Pupils; one of superior Qualifications--Boarding-Schools: that for young Ladies: one going first to the Governess, one finally returning Home--School for Youth; Master and Teacher; various Dispositions and Capacities--The Miser-Boy--The Boy-Bully--Sons of Farmers: how amused--What Study will effect, examined--A College Life: one sent from his College to a Benefice; one retained there in Dignity--The Advantages in either Case not considerable--Where then the Good of a literary Life?--Answered--Conclusion.