PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

Rights of Parents. 287
Something likewise may be done towards the correcting
or improving of those early inclinations
_hich children discover, by disposing them into sit.
uations the least ,jangerous to their particular characters.
'I'hus, I would make choice of a retired life
for young persons addicted to licentious pleasures;
or private stations for the proud and passionate; of
liberal professions, and a town iife, for the men:inary
and £ottish: and not, according to the general practice
of parents, send dissolute youths into tbe army ;
penurious tempers to trade; or make a crafty lad
an attorney; or flatter a vain and haughty temper
with elevated names, or situations, or callings, to
wbich- the fashion of the world has annexed precedency
and distinction, but in which his disposition,
without at all promoting his success, will serve both
to multiply and e~.;asperate his disappointments. In
the same way, that is, with a view to the particular
frame and tendency of the pupil's character, I would
make choice of a public or _ private education. The
reserved, timid, an-d indolent, will have their facul.
ties called forth and their nerves invigorated by a
public education. Youths of strong spirits and passiom;
will be safer in a private education. At our
public schools, as fas as I have observed, Ulore literature
2S acquired, and more vice: quick parts are cuI.
tivated, slow ones are neglected. Under private tuition,
a moderate proficiency in juvenile learning is
seldom exceeded, but with mqre certainty attained.
CHAPTER X.
TIlE RIGHTS OF P AREL'lTS.
THE Rights of Parents result from their duties.
If it be the duty of a parent to educate his
children, to form them for a life of usefulness and
virtue, to j)rovide for them situations needful for
their subsistence and sujted to their circumstances,
~md to prepare them for tho~e situatio1ls; he has ~