[Manners are the subject of another of the Colloquies, in which a schoolmaster addresses admonitions to a boy:-] THE SCHOOL-MASTER'S ADMONITIONS THE ARGUMENT. The School-master's Instructions teach a Boy Modesty, Civility, and Manners becoming his Age, in what Posture he ought to stand while he talks to his Superiors; concerning Habit, Discourse, and Behaviour at Table and in School. THE SCHOOL-MASTER AND BOY. Sch. You seem not to have been bred at Court but in a cow-stall; you behave yourself so clownishly. A Gentleman ought to behave himself like a Gentleman. As often or whenever any one that is your Superior speaks to you, stand straight, pull off your Hat, and look neither doggedly, surlily, saucily, malapertly, nor unsettledly, but with a staid, modest, pleasant Air, in your Countenance, and a bashful Look fix'd upon the Person who speaks to you; your Feet set close one by t'other; your Hands without Action: Don't stand titter, totter, first standing upon one Foot, and then upon another, nor playing with your Fingers, biting your Lip, scratching your head, or picking your Ears: Let your Cloaths be put on tight and neat, that your whole Dress, Air, Motion and Habit, may bespeak a modest and bashful Temper. Bo. What if I shall try, Sir? Ma. Do so. Bo. Is this right? Ma. Not quite. Bo. Must I do so? Ma. Ay, that's very well, remember that Posture; don't be a Prittle prattle, nor Prate apace, nor be a mind ing any Thing but what is said to you. If you are to make an Answer, do it in few Words, and to the Purpose, every now and then prefacing with some Title of Respect, and sometimes use a Title of Honour, and now and then make a Bow, especially when you have done speaking: Nor do you go away without asking Leave, or being bid to go: Now come let me see how you can practice this. How long have you been from Home? Bo. Almost six months. Ma. You should have said, Sir. Bo. Almost six months, Sir. Ma. Don't you long to see your Mother? Bo. Yes, sometimes. Ma. Have you a Mind to go to see her? Bo. Yes, with your Leave, Sir. Ma. Now you should have made a Bow; that's very well, remember to do so; when you speak, don't speak fast, stammer, or speak in your Throat, but use your self to pronounce your Words distinctly and clearly. If you pass by any ancient Person, a Magistrate, a Minister, or Doctor, or any Person of Figure, be sure to pull off your Hat, and make your Reverence: Do the same when you pass by any sacred Place, or the Image of the Cross. When you are at a Feast, behave yourself chearfully, but always so as to remember what becomes your Age: Serve yourself last; and if any nice Bit be offer'd you, refuse it modestly; but if they press it upon you, take it, and thank the Person, and cutting off a Bit of it, offer the rest either to him that gave it you, or to him that sits next to you. If any Body drinks to you merrily, thank him, and drink moderately. If you don't care to drink, however, kiss the Cup. Look pleasantly upon him that speaks to you, and be sure not to speak till you are spoken to. If any Thing that is obscene be said, don't laugh at it, but keep your countenance, as though you did not understand it; don't reflect on any Body, nor take place of any Body, nor boast of any Thing of your own, nor undervalue any Thing of another Bodies. Be courteous to your Companions that are your Inferiors; traduce no Body; don't be a Blab with your Tongue, and by this means you'll get a good Character, and gain Friends without Envy. If the Entertainment shall be long, desire to be excus'd, bid much good may it do the Guests, and withdraw from the Table: See that you remember these Things. else Bo. I'll do my Endeavour, Sir. Is there any Thing you 'd have me do? Ma. Now go to your Books. Bo. Yes, Sir. ROGER ASCHAM (A. D. 1515-1568.) ROGER ASCHAM, the accomplished scholar and teacher of Tudor times in England, tutor of Lady Jane Grey and of the Princess, afterwards Queen, Elizabeth, and author of "The Scholemaster," gave, in writing, some excellent advice to his brother-in-law (who was evidently a youth) when the latter went into the service of the Earl of Warwick, in 1559. His admonitions are partly quoted from Whitaker's "History of Richmondshire" by Mr. Furnivall, in the collection of early "bokes of nurture," etc., described on page 205. The following is taken from the latter source: ADVICE TO LORD WARWICK'S SERVANT. (From Publications of the Early English Text Society, No. 32, p. 360.) First and formost, in all your thoughts, words, and deeds, have before your eyes the feare of God; . . . love and serve your lord willingly, faithfullye, and secretlye; love and live with your fellowes honestly, quiettlye, curteouslye, that noe man have cause either to hate yow for your stubborne frowardnes, or to malice yow for your proud ungentleness, two faults which commonly yonge men soones [t] fall into in great men's service. Contemne noe poore man, mocke noe simple man, which proud fooles in cort like and love to doe; find fault with your selfe and with none other, the best waye to live honestlye and quiettly in the court. Carrye noe tales, be no common teller of newes, be not inquisitive of other menn's talke, for those that are desirous to heare what they need not, commonly be readye to babble what they shold not. Vse not to lye, for that is vnhonest; speake not everye truth, for that is vnneedfull; yea, in tyme and place a harmlesse lye is a greate deale better than a hurtfull truth. Use not dyceing nor carding; the more yow use them the lesse yow wilbe esteemed; the cunninger yow be at them the worse man yow wilbe counted. for pastime, love and learne that which your lord liketh and vseth most, whether it be rydeing, shooteing, hunting, hawkeing, fishing, or any such exercise. Beware of secrett corners and night sitting vp, the two nurses of mischiefe, unthriftines, losse, and sicknes. Beware chiefely of ydlenes, the great pathway that leadeth directly to all evills; be diligent alwayes, be present every where in your lord's service, be at hand to call others, and be not ofte sent for your selfe; for marke this as part of your creed, that the good service of one whole yeare shall never gett soe much as the absence of one howre may lose, when your lord shall stand in need of yow to send. if yow consider alwayes that absence and negligence must needes be cause of greife and sorrowe to your selfe, of chideing and rueing to your lord, and that dutye done diligently and presently shall gaine yow profitt, and purchase yow great praise and your lord's good countenance, yow shall ridd me of care, and wynne your selfe creditt, make me a gladd man, and your aged mother a ioyfull woman, and breed your friends great comforth. Soe I comitt and commend yow to God's mercifull proteccion and good guidance, who long preserve Your ever loving and affectionate brother in lawe. R. ASKAM. To my loveing Brother in Lawe, Mr. C. H., Servant to the Rt. Hon. the Earle of Warwick, these. |