Letters written by the earl of Chatham to Thomas Pitt. Repr

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Page 16 - Creator in the days of thy youth, is big with the deepest wisdom: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and, an upright heart, that is understanding. This is eternally true, whether the wits and rakes of Cambridge allow it or not: nay, I must add of this religious wisdom, Her ways are ways of pleasantness , and all her paths are peace, whatever your young gentlemen of pleasure think of a whore and a bottle, a tainted health and battered constitution.
Page 7 - ... him, or by yourself, till you have gone through them all. Spectators, especially Mr. Addison's papers, to be read very frequently at broken times in your room. I make it my request that you will forbear drawing, totally, while you are at Cambridge: and not meddle with Greek, otherwise than to know a little the etymology of words in Latin, or English, or French: nor to meddle with Italian. I hope this little course will soon be run through : I intend it as a general foundation for many things,...
Page xix - I call, therefore, a complete and generous education that which fits a man to perform justly, skillfully and magnanimously all the offices, both public and private, of peace and war.
Page xxiv - Musam meditaris avena ; nos patriae fines et dulcia linquimus arva : nos patriam fugimus ; tu, Tityre, lentus in umbra formosam resonare doces Amaryllida silvas.
Page 26 - And this constitutes true politeness. It is a perpetual attention, (by habit it grows easy and natural to us), to the little wants of those we are with, by which we either prevent, or remove them.
Page xxiv - Tityre, tu patulae recubans sub tegmine fagi silvestrem tenui musam meditaris avena: nos patriae fines et dulcia linquimus arva. nos patriam fugimus: tu, Tityre, lentus in umbra formonsam resonare doces Amaryllida silvas.
Page 11 - ... submission of your own lights to theirs, you will particularly practise that first and greatest rule for pleasing in conversation, as well as for drawing instruction and improvement from the company of one's superiors in age and knowledge ; namely, to be a patient, attentive, and wellbred hearer, and to answer with modesty...
Page xxviii - Latin, for your time, has filled me with the highest expectation of your future improvements: I see the foundations so well laid, that I do not make the least doubt but you will become a perfect good scholar; and have the pleasure and applause that will attend the several advantages hereafter, in the future course of your life, that you can only acquire now by your emulation and noble labours in the pursuit of learning, and of every acquirement that is to make you superior to other gentlemen.
Page 24 - ... head upright, and plant you well upon your legs. As to the use of the sword, it is well to know it: but remember, my dearest nephew, it is a science of defence: and that a sword can never be employed by the hand of a man of virtue, in any other cause. As to the carriage of your person, be particularly careful, as you are tall and thin, not to get a habit of stooping; nothing has so poor...

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