Some Thoughts Concerning Education (1902)

Kw, being written several Years since for Your Sake^ and are no other than what You have already by You in my Letters, I have so little var^d any Things but only the I Order of what was sent you at different Times^ and on several , Occasions^ that the Reader will easily find^ in the Familiarity and Fashion of the StiUy that they were rather the private Conversation of two Friends, than a Discourse designed for publick View, The Importunity of Friends is the common Apology for Publications Men are afraid to own themselves forward to. But you know I can truly say, that if some^ who having heard of these Papers of mine, had not presid to ^ee them, and afterwards to have them printed, they had lain dormant still in that Privacy they were designed for. But those, whose Judgment I defer much tOj telling me, that they were per' Ixii • The Epistle Dedicatory. Ixii • The Epistle Dedicatory. suaded^ that this rough Draught of mine might he of some Use^ if made more fublick^ touched upon what will always be very prevalent with me : For I think it every Man^s indispensible Duty, to do all the Service he can to his Country; and I see not what Difference he puts between himself and his Caftlcy who lives without that Thought This Subject is of so great Concernment, and a right Way of Education is of so general Advantage, that did I find my Abilities answer my Wishes, I should not have needed Exhortations or Importunitiesfrom others. However, the Meanness of these Papers, and my fust Distrust of them, shall not keep me, by the Shame of doing so little, from contributing my Mite, when there is no more required of me than my throwing it into the publick Receptacle, And if there be any more of their Size and Notions, who liHd them so well, that they thought them worth printing, 1 may flatter myself they will not be lost Labour…