zle and perplex the Conceits of many, that perhaps would otherwise co-operate with him; and make a Man walk almost alone to his own Ends. The Third and greatest is, that they deprive a Man of one of the principal Inftruments of Action, which is Truft and Belief. The best Compofition and Temperature is, to have OPENNESS in Fame and Opinion, SECRECY in Habit, DISSIMULATION in feasonable Ufe, and a Power to FEIGN, if there be no Remedy. VII. Of PARENTS and CHILDREN. HE Joys of PARENTS are secret, and fo are their Griefs and Fears. They cannot exprefs the one, and do not care to utter the other. Certainly CHILDREN weeten human Labours, but they make Misfortunes more bitter. VOL. I. They Ꭰ They increase the Cares of Life; but they mitigate the Remembrance of Death. Perpetuity by Generation is common to Man with Beafts; but the Memory of Merits and Works is peculiar to Men: And furely a Man fhall fee the nobleft Works and Foundations to have proceeded from CHILDLESS Men, who have taken care to exprefs the Images of their Minds, where thofe of their Bodies have failed: So the Care of Pofterity is moft in them that have no Pofterity. THEY that are the first Raisers of their Families, are most indulgent towards their CHILDREN: For they look upon them not only as the Continuance of their Species, but of their Works alfo; and fo both CHILDREN and CREATURES. THE Degrees of Affection in PARENTS towards their feveral CHILDREN are often unequal, and fometimes unjust, especially in the Mother. Whence Solomon fays, A wife Son rejoiceth the Father; but a foolish Son is the Heaviness of his Mother. IN In a Family that is fruitful and full of CHILDREN, a Man fhall fometimes fee one or two of the Eldeft Refpected, and as many of the Youngeft Fondled: But in the Midft perhaps fome that are as it were forgotten, who nevertheless many Times prove most towardly. The Illiberality of PARENTS in Allowance towards their CHILDREN, is a very mischievous Error; for it makes them base-spirited, given to Shifts and Tricks, delighting in mean Company, and more prone to Luxury when they come to Plenty. And therefore it does best, when PARENTS keep up their Authority with their CHILDREN, but flacken their Purse. THERE'S a Cuftom, (I'm fure a foolish one) that has prevail'd, as well with PARENTS as School-masters and Servants, of fowing and breeding Emulations between Brothers during their Childhood; which many Times end in Quarrels when they are Men, and difturb Families. THE Italians make little Difference between CHILDREN and Nephews, or near Kinsfolks; but fo they be of the Lump, they care not much, whether they pass through their own Body or no. And to speak the Truth, in Nature 'tis much the fame Thing; infomuch that we often fee a Nephew resemble an Uncle or a Kinfman more than his own Parent, according as the Blood happens to run. LET PARENTS take care, whilft their CHILDREN are in their tender Age, what Course of Life to fix them to; for then they are most flexible and pliant. And let them not in this Choice too much regard the Inclination of the CHILDREN themselves; as thinking they will take best to that which they have moft mind to. It is true, if the Affection or Aptness of the CHILDREN be remarkable towards any Vocation, it is not good to cross Nature or Difpofition: But generally the Precept is good, Optimum elige, fuave & facile illud faciet confuetudo. "Chufe the best, "Custom "Custom will make it pleasant and easy. Younger Brothers are commonly Fortunate, but seldom or never where the Elder are difinherited. VIII. Of MARRIAGE and SINGLE LIFE. HE E that hath WIFE and CHILDREN, hath given Hostages to Fortune; for they are Impediments to great Enterprises, whether in the Way of Virtue or Wickedness. Certainly the nobleft Works (as we faid before) and the greatest Merits to the Publick, have proceeded from the UNMARRIED or Childless Men, who both in Affection and Fortune have married and endowed the Publick. Yet it fhou'd feem to ftand more to Reason, that those that leave Children should have greatest Care of future Times, unto which they know they must transmit their D 3 |