glishmen be inferiors to all other people, and be constrained, if we will have any thing well painted, carved, or embroidered, to leave our own countrymen, and resort unto strangers." "If children were brought up in the right study until they were passed the age of twenty-one years and then set to the laws of this realm, being reduced to good English, Latin, or French, they would become men of so excellent wisdom and most noble counselors, to be surpassed in no common weal throughout the world-our laws being gathered and compacted of the pure meal or flour sifted out of the best laws in all other countries." After citing the experience of other men, the author falls back on the example of Cicero.

In like manner Tully, in whom it seemeth that eloquence hath set his glorious throne most richly and preciously adorned for all men to wonder at, but no man to approach it, was not let from being an incomparable orator, nor was by the exact knowledge of other sciences withdrawn from pleading infinite causes before the senate and judges, they being of most weighty importance. Insomuch as Cornelius Tacitus, an excellent orator, historian, and lawyer, saith:-"Surely in the books of Tully men may discern that in him lacked not the knowledge of geometry, nor music, nor grammar, finally, of no manner of art that was honest he of logic perceived the subtlety, of that part that was moral all the commodity, and of all things the chief motions and causes." And yet for all this abundance, and as it were a granary heaped with all manner of sciences, there failed not in him substantial learning in the laws civil, as it may appear as well in the books which he himself made of laws, as also, and most especially, in many of his most eloquent orations; which, if one well learned in the laws of this realm, did cede and understand, he should find, especially in his orations called Actiones against Verres, many places where he should espy by likelihood the fountains from whence proceedeth divers grounds of our common laws.

Moreover, when young men have read laws expounded in the orations of Tully, and also in histories of the beginning of laws, and in the works of Plato, Xenophon, and Aristotle, of the diversities of laws and Public Weals, if nature (as I late said) will dispose them to that manner of study, they shall be thereto the more incensed, and come unto it the better prepared and furnished. And they whom nature thereto moveth have not only saved all that time which many now-a-days do consume in idleness, but also have won such a treasure whereby they shall alway be able to serve honorably their prince; the Public Weal of their country principally, if they confer all their doctrines to the most noble study of moral philosophy, which teacheth both virtuous manners and civil policy; whereby at the last we should have in this realm sufficiency of worshipful lawyers, and also a Public Weal equivalent to the Greeks or Romans.

MUSCULAR EXERCISES NECESSARY FOR EVERY GENTLEMAN.

Although "The Governour" commends learning in gentlemen, it thinks "continual study, without some manner of exercise, shortly exhausteth the spirits vital, and hindereth natural decoction and digestion," whereby man's body is corrupted and weakened, and his life shortened. "Contrariwise by exercise, the health is preserved and strength increased, the spirits made strong, the appetite quickened, and all parts of the body nourished by the rapid assimilation of food." And in this connection it urges that tutors hold these general principles in remembrance, and put them in frequent practice both such as admit of outdoor as well indoor application. Of the latter it commends " laboring with poises made of lead, or other metal, called Alteres, lifting or throwing the heavy stone or bar, and similar exercises." It exhorts tutors and pupils to read Galen on the governance of health, both in the original and in the translation into Latin by Dr. Linacre. Of those exercises which at once are recreating,

adapt the body to hardness, strength, and agility, and provide for the exigences of peace and war, it speaks more at length.

Wrestling.

Wrestling is a very good exercise in the beginning of youth, so that it be with one that is equal in strength, or somewhat under, and that the place be soft, that in falling their bodies be not bruised. There be divers manners of wrestlings, but the best, as well for health of body, as for exercise of strength, is, when laying their hands mutually over one another's neck with the other hand, they hold fast each other by the arm, and clasping their legs together, they enforce themselves with strength and agility, and throw down each other, which is also praised by Galen. And undoubtedly it shall be found profitable in wars, in case that a captain shall be constrained to cope with his adversary hand to hand, having his weapon broken or lost. Also it hath been seen that the weaker person, by the sleight of wrestling, hath overthrown the stronger almost cre he could fasten on the other any violent stroke.

Running.

Running is both a good exercise and a laudable solace. It is written of Epaminondas, the valiant captain of Thebans, (who as well in virtue and prowess, as in learning, surmounteth all noblemen of his time,) that daily he exerciseth himself in the morning with running and leaping, in the evening in wrestling, to the intent that likewise in armor he might the more strongly, embracing his adversary, put him in danger. And also that in the chase, running and leaping, he might either overtake his enemy, or being pursued, if extreme need be required, escape him.

In like manner before him did the worthy Achilles, for whilst his ships lay at road, he suffereth not his people to slumber in idleness, but daily exercise them and himself in running, wherein he was most excellent and passed all other; and therefore Homer throughout all his work calleth him swift-footed Achilles. The great Alexander, being a child, excelleth all his companions in running. Wherefore, on a time, one demanded of him if he would run at the great game of Olympus whereto, out of all parts of Greece, came the most active and valiant persons to essay the mastery. Whereunto Alexander answereth in this form:-"I would very gladly run there if I were sure to run with kings; for if I should contend with a private person, having respect to our both estates, our victories should not be equal."

Needs must running be taken for a laudable exercise, since one of the most noble captains of all the Romans took his name from running, and was called Papirius Cursor, which is in English Papirius, the Runner. And also the våliant Marius, the Roman, when he had been seven times consul, and was of the age of fourscore years, exercised himself daily among the young men of Rome in such wise, that there resorted people out of far parts to behold the strength and agility of that old consul, wherein he compared with the young and lusty soldiers.

Swimming.

There is an exercise which is right profitable in extreme danger of wars, but because there seemeth to be some peril in the learning thereof, and also it hath not been of long time much used, especially among noblemen, perchance some readers will little esteem it, I mean swimming. But notwithstanding, if they revolve the imbecility of our nature, the hazards and danger of battle, with the examples which shall hereafter be showed, they will (I doubt not) think it as necessary to a captain or man of arms as any that I have yet rehearsed. The Romans, who above all things had most in estimation martial prowess, had a large and spacious field, without the city of Rome, which was called Marcus' field, in Latin Campus Martius, wherein the youth of the city was exercised. This field adjoined to the river of Tiber, to the intent that as well men as children should wash and refresh them in the water after their labors, as also learn to swim. And not men only but also the horses; that by such usage they should more aptly and boldly pass over great rivers, and be more able to resist,

or cut the waves, and be not afraid of great storms. For it hath been often times seen, that by the good swimming of horses many men have been saved; and contrariwise, by a timorous rule, where the water hath come to his belly, his legs have faltered, whereby many a good and proper man hath perished.

[The advantages of this art is illustrated by the experience of Horatius Cocles, of Julius Cæsar, of Sertorius, and other great captains.]

Riding.

But the most honorable exercise in mine opinion, and that beseemeth the estate of every noble person, is to ride surely and clean on a great horse and a rough, which undoubtedly not only importeth a majesty and dread to inferior persons beholding him above the common course of other men daunting a fierce and cruel beast, but also is no little succor, as well in pursuit of enemies and confounding them, as in escaping imminent danger when wisdom thereto exhorteth. Also a strong and hardy horse doth sometime more damage under his master than he with all his weapons; and also setteth forward the stroke, and causeth it to light with more violence.

Bucephalus, the horse of great King Alexander, who suffered none on his back save only his master, at the battle of Thebes, being sore wounded, would not suffer the king to depart from him to any other horse, but persisting in his furious courage, wonderfully continued out the battle, with his teeth and feet beating down and destroying many enemies; and many similar marvels of his strength he showed. Wherefore, Alexander, after the horse was slain, made, in remembrance of him, a city in the country of India, and called it Bucephala, in perpetual memory of so worthy a horse which in his life had so well served him.

What wonderful enterprise did Julius Cæsar achieve by the help of his horse! which not only did excel all other horses in fierceness and swift running, but also was in some parts different from other horses in figure, having his forehoofs like the feet of a man. And in that figure Pliny writeth that he saw him carved before the temple of Venus.

Hunting.

Cyrus and other ancient kings of Persia (as Xenophon writeth) used this manner in all their hunting. First, whereas it seemeth there was in the realm of Persia but one city which, as I suppose, was called Persepolis; there were the children of the Persians, from their infancy unto the age of seventeen years, brought up in the learning of justice and temperance, and also to observe continence in meat and drink; insomuch that whithersoever they went they took with them for their sustenance but only bread and herbs, called cresses, in Latin Nasturtium; and for their drink a dish to take water out of the rivers as they passed. Also they learned to shoot and to cast the dart or javelin. When they came to the age of seventeen years, they were lodged in the palaces that were there ordained for the king and his nobles, which was as well for the safeguard of the city, as for the example of temperance that they daily had at their eyes given to them by the nobles; who also might be called peers by the sig nification of the Greek word wherein they were called Omotimi. Moreover they were accustomed to rise alway in the first spring of the day, and patiently to sustain alway both cold and heat; and the king did see them exercised in going and also in running. And when he intended, in his own person, to hunt, which he did commonly every month, he took with him the one-half of the company of young men that were in the palaces. Then took every man with him his bow and quiver with arrows, his sword, a little target, and two darts. The bow and arrows served to pursue beasts that were swift, and the darts to assail them and all other beasts. And when their courage was chafed, or that by the fierceness of the beast they were in danger, then force constrained them to strike with the sword, and to have good eye at the violent assault of the beast, and to defend them, if need were, with their targets, wherein they accounted to be the truest and most certain meditation of wars. And to this hunting the king did conduct them; and he himself first hunted such beasts as

he happened to encounter. And when he had taken his pleasure, he then with most diligence set others forward, beholding who hunted valiantly, and reforming them whom he saw negligent or slothful. But ere they went forth to this hunting they dined competently; and during their hunting they dined no more. For if, by any occasion, their hunting continued above one day, they took the said dinner for their supper; and the next day, if they killed, no game, they hunted until supper time: accounting these two days but for one. And if they took any thing they eat it at their supper with joy and pleasure. If nothing were killed they eat only bread and cresses, as I before rehearsed, and drank thereto water. And if any man will dispraise this diet, let him think what pleasure there is in bread to him that is hungry; and what delight is in drinking water in him that is thirsty. Surely this manner of hunting may be called a necessary solace and pastime, for therein is the very imitation of battle. For not only it doth show the courage and strength, as well of the horse as of him that rideth, traversing over mountains and valleys, encountering and overthrowing great and mighty beasts, but also it increaseth in them both agility and quickness, also sleight and policy to find such passages and straits where they may prevent or entrap their enemies. Also, by continuance therein, they shall easily sustain travel in wars, hunger and thirst, cold and heat. Hitherto be the words of Xenophon, although I have not set them in like order as he wrote them.

"The Governour," while citing the example of ancient worthies, such as Theseus, Hercules, Alexander, &c., in hunting lions and other wild animals, thanks God that such beasts, fierce and savage, no longer abound in the realms of Britain, but that noblemen must be content to hunt the deer and fox, but to do it in somewise as well.

I dispraise not the hunting of the fox with running hounds, but it is not to be compared to the other hunting in commodity of exercise. Therefore it would be used in the deep winter when the other game is unseasonable. Hunting of the hare with grayhounds is a right good solace for men that be studious, or them to whom nature hath not given personage or courage apt for the wars. And also for gentlewomen who fear neither sun nor wind for impairing their beauties. And peradventure they shall be thereat less idle than they should be at home in their chambers.*

Killing of deer with bows or grayhounds serveth well for the pot, (as is the common saying,) and therefore it must of necessity be sometime used. But it containeth therein no commendable solace or exercise, in comparison to the other form of hunting, if it be diligently perceived.

As for hawking I can find no notable remembrance that it was used of ancient time among noble princes. I call ancient time before a thousand years passed, since which time virtue and nobleness hath rather decayed than increased. Nor I could never know who found first that disport. Pliny maketh mention in his seventh book of the history of nature, that in the parts of Greece called Thracia, men and hawks, as it were by a confederacy, took birds together in this wise. The men sprang the birds out of the bushes, and the hawks, soaring over them, beat them down so that the men might easily take them. And then did the men share equally the prey with the falcons, which, being well served, eftsoons and of a custom repaired to such places where, being aloft, they perceived men to that purpose assembled.

By which rehearsal of Pliny we may conjecture that from Thrace came this sport of hawking. And I doubt not but many other as well as I have seen a like experience of wild hobies, which, in some countries that be champaign, will soar and lie aloft, hovering over larks and quails, and keep them down on the ground; whilst they who await on the prey do take them. But in what wise, or wheresoever the beginning of hawking was, surely it is a right delectable solace, though thereof cometh not so much utility (concerning exercise) as there doth of hunting. But I would our falcons might be satisfied with the division of their prey, as the falcons of Thrace were, that they need not to devour the hens of this realm in such number, that unless it be shortly considered,

* Herein "The Governour" (Sir Thomas) differs from "The Schoolmaster," (Ascham,) who commends Lady Jane Grey for staying at home to read Plato, instead of following the hunt.

and that falcons be brought to a more homely diet, it is right likely, that witl:in a short space of years, our familiar poultry shall be as scarce as be now par- . tridges and pheasants. I speak not this in dispraise of the falcons, but of them who keep them like cockneys. The mean gentlemen and honest householders who care for the gentle entertainment of their friends, do find their dish that I say truth, and noblemen shall right shortly espy it, when they come suddenly to their friend's house unprovided for lack of long warning.

But now to return to my purpose. Undoubtedly hawking, moderately used, and for a pastime, giveth to a man good appetite for his supper. And at the leastway withdraweth him from other dalliance or disports dishonest, and to body and soul perchance pernicious.

Dancing.

I am not of that opinion that all dancing generally is repugnant unto virtue, although some persons excellently learned, especially divines, so do affirm it; who alway have in their mouths (when they come into the pulpit) the saying of the noble doctor, St. Augustine:-"That better it were to delve or go to plough on the Sunday than to dance." Which might be spoken of that kind of dancing which was used in the time of St. Augustine, when every thing with the empire of Rome declined from its perfection, and the old manner of dancing was forgotten, and none remained but that which was lascivious, and corrupted the minds of them that danced, and provoked sin, as in like manner some do at this day. Also at that time idolatry was not clearly extinct, but divers fragments thereof remained in every region. And perchance solemn dances, which were celebrated unto the Paynim's false gods, were yet continued, forasmuch as the pure religion of Christ was not in all places consolidated, and the pastors and curates did wink at such recreations, fearing if they should hastily have removed it, and induced suddenly the severity of God's laws, they should stir the people thereby to a general sedition, to the imminent danger and subversion of Christ's holy religion late sown among them, and not yet sufficiently rooted. But the wise and discreet doctor, St. Augustine, using the art of an orator, wherein he was right excellent, omitting all rigorous menace or terror, dissuaded them by the most easy way from that manner of ceremony belonging to idolatry, preferring before it bodily occupation, thereby aggravating the offense to God that was in that ceremony, since occupation, which is necessary for man's sustenance and in due times virtuous, is notwithstanding prohibited to be used on the Sundays. And yet in these words of this noble doctor is not so general dispraise of all dancing as some men do suppose. And that for two causes, first in his comparison he preferreth not before dancing, or joineth thereto any vicious exercise, but annecteth it with tilling and digging of the earth, which be labors incident to man's living, and in them is contained nothing that is vicious. Wherefore the preeminence thereof above dancing, qualifying the offense, they being done out of due time, that is to say, in an holy day, concludeth not dancing to be at all times and in every manner unlawful or vicious, considering that in certain cases of extreme necessity men might both plough and delve without doing to God any offense.

"The Governour" is both eloquent and copious in his defense of this pastime and accomplishment, drawing his argument from both sacred and profane history, and making this exercise, which he exalts to a Fine Art, serve the purpose of health and morals.

As I have already affirmed, the principal cause of this my little enterprise is to declare an induction or means whereby children of gentle nature or disposition may be trained into the way of virtue with a pleasant facility. And forasmuch as it is very expedient that there be mixed with study some honest and moderate sport, or at least recreation, to recomfort and quicken the vital spirits, lest they, long laboring or being much occupied in contemplation or remembrance of things grave and serious, might happen to be fatigued, or perchance oppressed. And therefore Tully, who never found any vacant time from study, permitteth, in his first book of Offices, that men may use play and disport; yet notwithstanding in such wise as they do use sleep and other manner of quiet when they