271 On Education. 272 In reading the Greek and Roman | hearers go away unedified, or with little Classics, it is necessary to understand solemnity on their mind. If an hour the heathen mythology; because there or two were allotted for this purpose on is frequent reference to ancient fable, Saturday in each week, it would have or things which were couched under a happy effect, not only to inform the that mode of instruction in early times. mind," but to improve the pronunciaBut the teacher should endeavour to tion of youth, which would probably develope these fables, and shew his accompany them to a more advanced pupil from whence they originated; age. and that some moral truth was generally at the foundation; which being conveyed in allegory, or in figurative language, gradually became obscure, or was misunderstood by the vulgar. This especially was the case, by means of poetic fiction, or the glosses and conjectures of the Greeks: for even their wisest men, who travelled into Egypt and other eastern parts in quest of knowledge, had not sufficient time to investigate or understand those hints which they got there; and when they returned home, they dressed them up (as Plato expressed it) in a better or more elegant form. But this dress served only to disguise what was at first both simple and beautiful. And when Plato met with things sometimes, which he did not understand; he calls them aporretoi, that is, ineffable; or muthoi, fables. And when the Greeks were at a loss, or could not clearly trace up things, they referred them to the gods; i. e. their most early ancestors, whom they had deified. It would, therefore, be of the utmost service to classical schools, if, on a new edition of mythology, notes were added, by way of illustration, shewing that many of the most eminent fables of antiquity had an affinity with, or were derived from, the divine writings. This would not only tend to illustrate the Classics, but would likewise be subservient to true religion; and would make the boys more conversant with the Bible, which has been too much neglected in most classical schools. Indeed, the reading of the English Bible (at least select portions of it) is highly necessary, not only to make young persons acquainted with its contents, but to accustom them to read it with due decorum, and to pronounce the words with such a modulation of the voice as may be harmonious to the ear. A neglect in this point has been one cause, why many, who officiate in public, read the Scriptures in a most disgusting manner. If the Bible be read like a paragraph in the News, or some trifiing paper, no wonder if the A judicious instructor will point out to his pupils the beauties and excellent sentiments which occur in various passages of the authors which they read; and will also add a few words by way of comment, (vivâ voce,) to enforce the sentiment, and improve their taste. But, if a procedure of this kind be truly laudable in reading the heathen authors; surely a mode somewhat similar is still more necessary in reading the Bible, or other writings derived therefrom. It would, therefore, be well, if a part of the Sunday evening were appropriated to this business. The Collect for the day, being concise yet full, will afford excellent materials for this end; and a few words may be used, to enlarge upon each sentence, inculcating the doctrine and the import of the prayer that is offered up. It will likewise be always necessary to impress upon the minds of each rising generation, the doctrine contained in the Ninth Article of Our Established Church; that man is now in a fallen state, and must undergo a change before he can be truly or permanently happy. This may be done in a few plain, simple words, suitable to the capacity of children; which may be afterwards gradually enlarged upon. Should this be done, it will be useful to them during the remainder of their life. The neglect of instruction in this kind, has been one great cause why men of good natural abilities, who had got what is called a classical education, are grossly ignorant of what is most important, a knowledge of the fundamental principles of the Christian religion, and even of the church of which they profess themselves to be members. Too many instances of this occur from day to day: and, what is worthy of remark, some gentlemen of late years have made very florid speeches in favour of the plan for diffusing the Bible among the ignorant and unenlightened part of mankind; and yet appears that they themselves are but little acquainted with its contents. it They think it very fit to send such a book among the vulgar herd, which teaches them subordination, and a proper and decent deportment: but they forget that it was intended for their own edification, as well as for that of the meanest and most illiterate peasant. They are solicitous to promote the morality of the lower orders; whilst their own souls are in danger of being eternally lost! And what appears likewise inconsistent, whilst they profess themselves to be members of the Established Church, they deny her fundamental doctrines, both by their practice, and in their conversation. Thus they become the dupes or tools of crafty infidels, who are secretly laying a mine to blow up our constitution, both in Church and State. The magistrates and kings among the ancient Jews were commanded to have the Mosaic code of laws in their possession, to meditate in them, not only for their private edification, but to understand and execute them. Let lawyers and lawgivers, as well as the clergy, attend to this, and practise the same. Let them study and understand what is necessary for all to know; and endeavour to promote, according to their power, the good of their fellow men. Though these things belong principally to those who are somewhat advanced in years, yet the rudiments and principles may be inculcated in early youth; and the good seed which is sown and watered with a little care, may grow up to maturity, and produce a plentiful and useful crop. Surely a boy of fourteen years of age, or even younger, may be informed of the nature and design of laws; and that they are, or should be, founded on, or derived from, the will of the supreme and universal LAWGIver. He may likewise be instructed, that whoever is about to minister in divine things, should be sure that he is commissioned by HIM who alone has a right to send; and, that human learning, however useful in its place, is by no means the chief qualification of an ambassador of the KING of kings. A physician should first examine and well understand the nature of a disease, before he ventures to prescribe a medicine and the mode of cure; for an error in this case may prove fatal to the patient, and in the same proportion must ultimately injure if not destroy his own reputation. 274 I know, Sir, that you in your place may do much to promote the good end recommended in this paper, respecting the youth committed to your care; to make them useful members of the community, and an ornament to their native land. I know they are not destitute of natural genius; but let it be well cultivated, and it will produce fragrant flowers, and the most beneficial fruits. You know who hath said, "Doctrina vim promovet insitam, Rectiq: cultus pectora roborant." THE tenure of man upon his present existence is uncertain as that of the autumnal leaf upon its stem. The leaf may hang for many days, while thousands around it fall successively to the earth; but the blast, or the silent progress of decay, loosens it in its turn, and its "place knows it no more."-How similar is the condition of humanity! Yet, how inconsiderate we are of an event, which we know will certainly come upon us, though we are wholly uncertain when! I have met with the following calculation, which makes my meditations solemn : The aggregate population on the surface of the known habitable globe, is estimated at 895,300,000 persons. If we reckon, with the ancients, that a generation lasts 30 years, then, in that space, 895,300,000 human beings will be born and die: consequently 81,760 must, on an average, be dropping into eternity every day; 3,407, every hour; or about 56 every minute! "And yet we will not hear! what mail defends our untouch'd hearts? what miracle turns off The pointed sting; which from a thousand qui 275 Memoirs of Leonardo Aretino. MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE AND TIMES OF AMONGST the accomplished scholars who flourished in Italy during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, no one holds a higher rank than Leonardo Bruni, who is more commonly distinguished by the surname of Aretino, which he derived from Arezzo, the place of his nativity. The time of his birth has not been exactly ascertained. Matteo Palmerio, and Sozomen presbyter of Pistoia, referring that event to the year 1370, whilst Gianozzo Manetti, in his funeral oration on the death of Leonardo, asserts that he was born in 1369. His father, Francesco Bruni, appears to have lived in good circumstances, and to have attained to eminence in civic honours. Francesco did not, however, enjoy the satisfaction of witnessing the rising reputation of his son, as he died whilst Leonardo was yet a youth. 276 no sooner were the civil dissensions of his countrymen appeased by the cession of their territory into the hands of the Florentines, than he repaired to the Tuscan capital, which was at that time the favoured residence of the liberal arts. Here he diligently applied himself to his studies, under the guidance of the celebrated Giovanni Malpaghino, or John of Ravenna. Great as were his obligations to this able preceptor, he was not less indebted to Colucio Salutati, chancellor of the Florentine Republic, who was so deeply impressed with a sense of his brilliant talents and of his virtues, that he not only honoured him with his esteem, but regarded him with the affection of a father.|| Notwithstanding the disparity of their years, these two illustrious scholars pursued their studies in common, and, to adopt the words of Colucio, "they mutually encouraged each other to literary exertions, as steel gives an edge to steel." When Leonardo had finished his rhetorical studies, he applied himself for two years to the study of the Aristotelian philosophy, in which he made such progress, that he qualified himself to main topics, which present themselves in the shadowy regions of logic and metaphy. sics. Had he been enabled to follow the bent of his inclinations, he would, in all probability, have exclusively devoted himself to the cultivation of polite literature. But the poverty of his circumstances compelling him to enter upon some pursuit which might be eventually rendered a source of emolument, he sedulously directed his attention to the civil law, a knowledge of which was indispensably necessary to qualify him for an honourable situation in the pontifical court, or for a place of trust and profit in any of the Italian states. He had de Arezzo, like most of the other cities of Italy, was at this period distracted by civil discord, in consequence of which the chiefs of the weaker party were compelled to flee for refuge into the neigh-tain public disputations upon the subtile bouring districts. These exiles naturally taking advantage of every circumstance likely to enable them to retrieve their fortune, induced the commander of a body of French troops, who were marching to support the pretensions of the Duke of Anjou to the crown of Naples, to make an attack on Arezzo. In the tumult which ensued upon this unexpected act of hostility, Francesco and his son were taken prisoners by different parties of the adverse faction, and conducted to separate places of confinement. The imprisonment of the former was long and rigorous; but the tender years of Leonardo exciting the compassion of those to whose custody he was consigned, the hardships of his cap-dicated four years to the Pandects, tivity were alleviated by his being permitted to reside in a spacious and comfortable chamber. On the wall of this apartment there happened to be delineated a portrait of Petrarca, by the daily contemplation of which, Leonardo was inflamed with a most ardent ambition of distinguishing himself by literary attain when the celebrated Manuel Chrysoloras was induced, by the offer of a large stipend, to read lectures on the Greek language, in the Florentine university**(A. D. 1399.) On this occasion Leonardo experienced no small degree of hesitation with regard to the future direction of his studies. On the one hand, he was appre hensive that a dereliction of the civil law would involve him in disgrace, and oh + Jannotii Manetti Oratio Funebris, apud Mehi Vita Leon. Bruni, p. 25. || Ibid. p. 26. Ibid. Jannotii Manetti Oratio, p. 93. 277 Memoirs of Leonardo Aretino. 278 struct his promotion-on the other hand, the praises of Homer, Plato, and Demosthenes, were daily sounding in his ears, and excited in his mind a most ardent desire to become acquainted with their writings. He reflected, that for the space of seven hundred years, Grecian literature had lain dormant in Italy, and he could not but regard its revival, as the effect of the direct interposition of Providence. Influenced by these considerations, he laid aside, the code of Justinian, and enrolled himself as a disciple of Chrysoloras, whose instructions he imbibed with such eagerness, that the lessons of the day were frequently the subject of his nightly dreams. He continued to attend public lectures on the Greek language for the space of nearly three years, at the end of which time, his preceptor, being summoned to meet his sovereign, the eastern emperor Palæologus, at the court of Giovanni Galeazzo, duke of Mi-ed him to be." This was the first speech lan, (A. D. 1402,) was obliged to resign his honourable situation in the Florentine university. The departure of Chrysoloras did not, however, extinguish the zeal of Leonardo for the cultivation of Grecian literature. On the contrary, he endeavoured, by the assiduity of private study, to compensate the loss which he had sustained, in being deprived of so enlightened an instructor. The first-fruits of his lucubrations were soon exhibited in a Latin version of Basilius's treatise on Education; by the publication of which, he gained from his contemporary scholars a grateful tribute of applause.t tions of his fellow student. Soon after the accession of Innocent VII. to the papal throne, he took occasion, by the medium of two eminent dignitaries of the church, so strongly to impress that pontiff with a sense of Leonardo's merits, that he determined to invite him to Rome. In consequence of this flattering summons, Leonardo immediately repaired to the pontifical capital, where he arrived on the 25th of March, 1405.‡ Of his introduction to his future master, he gave the following account in an epistle to his worthy patron, Colucio Salutati. "I arrived at Rome on the 25th of March, and took the earliest opportunity of paying my respects to His Holiness, from whom I met with a kind and gracious reception. At his first view of me, however, before I had spoken a word, he turned to those who stood near him, and said, "He is a younger man than I imaginwhich I heard him utter. After I had paid him the customary homage, he replied in a few words, and repeated the remark which he had made when he first saw me. The substance of his observations was this, that the office, to the ac ceptance of which he had invited me, was an office of great weight and importance, the proper discharge of the duties of which, required not only learning, but discretion, and a maturity of judgment and dignity, which could hardly be expected in youthful years. "You seem to me," said he, " to have every requisite except that of age; but I shall reserve this matIn the mean time, Leonardo was im- ter for further consideration." With this pelled, by a laudable desire of procuring observation I was dismissed. During this for himself an honourable subsistence, to transaction the court was crowded with resume his researches into the principles attendants, who instantly spread abroad of the civil law. Having acquired a a report that I was rejected on account of competent knowledge of the science and my youth. This rumour excited the practice of jurisprudence, he began to hopes of many other candidates, and eslook out for some situation in which he pecially of your friend Jacopo d'Angelo, might be enabled to obtain a suitable re- who, though he had not before given any muneration for the exertion of his talents. intimation of his intention, is now exertIn these circumstances, his views were ing all his interest to obtain the office in directed to the Roman chancery. His question. I understand that he is instihopes of gaining some lucrative employ-gated to this conduct by some of his parment in the pontifical court, were prin- tizans, who assert, that it will redound to cipally founded on the friendly assistance his disgrace, if an entire stranger is prewhich he expected to receive from Pog-ferred to him, who has resided for the gio Bracciolini, who had been the associate of his literary pursuits in the Tuscan university, and who had lately been promoted to the office of Writer of the Apostolic Letters. Nor did that celebrated scholar disappoint the expecta Mehi Vita Leon. Bruni. p. 29, 30. space of four years in the Roman court, and has attained to an age sufficiently mature for the discharge of the duties of the vacant office. Stimulated by these suggestions, and elate with hope, he and his friends are unremittingly active, and Mehi Vita Leon. Bruni. 31. p. 279 On Improving Time.-Happiness. 280 cannot with certainty call to-morrow, nor even the next moment, our own: then "boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."-Alfred the Great was so sensible of the value of this blessing, that he divided not only the day, but also the night, into three parts, of eight hours each. He assigned only eight hours to sleep, meals, and exercise; and the other sixteen, one half to read When ground is industriously cultivated, the God of nature will bestow a crop even superior to the expectations of the humble tiller. are endeavouring, by numerous applica- | tions, to influence the mind of the Pontiff-and, what is most disagreeable to my feelings, they institute odious comparisons between Angelo and myself. Thus am I destined to contend for honour and dignity with the same individual who was my literary rival in the university of Florence. I must, however, observe, that I have proceeded honourably, without setting myself up in opposition to any one;but as to his attempt to obstruct my pre-ing, writing, and prayer, and the other ferment, I am fully persuaded that you will to public business. regard it as base, unjust, and invidious. For if he wished for this situation, why did not he solicit for it before my arrival? If he did not wish for it, what is the meaning of his present eagerness? I have too great reason to suspect that he is taking advantage of my embarrassment, and that instead of lending me that assistance which he ought to afford me, he inhumanly wishes to hasten my ruin. As to myself, though I am somewhat distressed by the novelty of my present situation, by my want of acquaintance, and many other circumstances, yet I will exert myself to the utmost, in order to prove, that if Angelo surpasses me in years, he is my inferior in every other respect. Rome, April 3d, 1405." This contest between the rival scholars was not of long continuance. In the course of a little time after its commencement, Leonardo apprized Colucio Salutati of its termination. Leon. Aret. Epist. lib. i. ep. 1. (To be continued.) ON THE NECESSITY OF IMPROVING Be careful then to improve the golden moments of youth, and the no less important ones of age; for "Life's a short summer. Man's a flower. He dies, alas how soon he dies!" An Essay on Happiness. MR. EDITOR, F. K. Ir these observations on Happiness meet your approbation, an early insertion will much oblige A SUBSCRIBER. Addressed To M. Gor-. IT seems to be the condition of man to seek all his consolations in futurity. The time present is very seldom able to fill desire or imagination with immediate enjoyment, and we are therefore forced to supply the deficiencies by recollection or anticipation. Every one so often experiences the fallaciousTHERE is nothing which is of more im-ness of hope, and the inconveniencies portance than a right improvement of every moment of our time, and of the spending of that upon which our present and future happiness, in this, and also in another world, depends. TIME. Time is continually hasting on, nor does he ever wait, or quicken his pace, to accommodate us. Whatever we may be doing, or whether we are employed at all, time is hurrying on, and stealing almost imperceptibly away; and while we are the possessors of this inestimable treasure, we must not only fill our stations here with diligence, but prepare for death, eternity, and judgment, and accordingly we shall be rewarded. Time is also the most uncertain of all our numerous blessings; and we of teaching himself to expect what a thousand accidents may preclude, that, when time has abated the confidence with which youth rushes out to take possession of the world, we naturally endeavour, or wish at least, to find entertainment in the review of life, and to repose upon real facts and certain experience. But so full is the world of calamity, that every source of pleasure is polluted, and tranquillity disturbed. When time has supplied us with events sufficient to employ our thoughts, it has mingled them with so many disasters and afflictions, that we shrink from the remembrance of them, dread their intrusion on our mind, and fly from them to company and diversion. |