Epistle III. To Corellia Hispulla.
by
Mr. Henley.
[_]
On chusing a Tutor for her Son.
SINCE I paid so great a Respect to your Father, (who was a Person of uncommon Value and Character) that I cannot avow,
whether my Admiration or Love for his was superior; and since I carry on that Affection to you in his Memory and Honour,
I can't help desiring, and endeavouring as far as I can, to make your Son resemble his Grandfather.
I prefer indeed him by the Mother's Side, tho' he, by the Father's, was a Man well approv'd and reputed;
and his Father himself, and Uncle, are distinguish'd by a particular Fame.
His Growth will be
equal to them, if he be train'd up in a liberal Education; and the Hand that is to form him,
is of the first Importance to it. As yet, his tender Age has confin'd him to your Eye,
and domestick Tutors, where there is little or no room to go astray. But now his Studies are to be carry'd beyond the Threshold:
You must look about for a
Latin Master of Rhetorick, whose School maintains a due Severity,
a Sense of Shame, which is the main Thing, and a chaste Management. For our Youth is possess'd,
among other gifts of Nature and Fortune, of a great personal Beauty; that requires,
in this slippery State of Life, not only an Instructor, but a Guardian,
and a Governor. I think I can warrant
Julius Genitor to you. I love the Man,
yet my Esteem for him, which is founded upon Judgment, is no prejudice to that Judgment.
He is a Man of correct Life, and prudent; indeed, something too rugged and hard,
for this Libertine Age. You may plentifully find his Mastery in Eloquence; for an open and
plain Faculty of speaking is presently discerned. Humane Life has a variety of Depths and Caverns in it;
in all which, take my Word for
Genitor. Your Son will hear nothing from him,
that will not be useful; and learn nothing, which it were better not to know.
He will be admonish'd by him as frequently as by you and my self, what Images of his Ancestors he is to honour,
what celebrated Names he must
answer. And therefore, by the Favour of Heaven, commit him to a master,
who will first give a Frame to his Manners, and then to his Eloquence;
which is ill learn'd without them.
