The Grammar School, Chapter 30 – Chapter 33
CHAP. XXX.
Of Schoole times, intermissions and recreations.
Spoud.
NOw that you hauehave thus curteously gone through this point concerning the Schoole-gouernment, by rewards and punishments (which being rightly put in practice, must needes bring a great blessing with them) let me craue your iudgement also for the times of Schoole and intermissions; with recreations to be vsed therein.
Phil.
To giuegive you my iudgement in all these briefly,Schoole time to begin at sixe. according to that which by tryall I finde best;
1 The Schoole-time should beginne at sixe: all who write Latine to make their exercises which were giuen ouernight, in that houre before seuen, vnlesse they did them the night before, to get parts or the like.
Spoud.
Would you then hauehave the Master and Vsher present so early?
Phil.
The Vsher should necessarily be there, to be present amongst them;The Vsher to be present at sixe, only to ouersee all. though hee follow his owne priuate studie that houre, yet to see that all the Schollars doe their dueties appointed, and that there be no disorder: which will be, vnlesse he or some other of authority be amongst them. For otherwise the best children, left to their owne liberty, will shew themselues children. If the Master bee present at seuen, it may suffice, where there is any in his place, whose presence they stand in awe of.
Spoud.
But it is hard for the little children to rise so early, and in some families all lie long: how would you hauehave them come so soone then? You would not hauehave them beaten eueryevery time that they come ouer-late, as the custome is in some schooles.
Phil.
That I take farre too great seuerity, and whereby many a poore childe is driuen into wonderfull feare, and eyther to play the truant, or make some deuice to leaue the schoole; at least to come with a marueilous ill will, and oft to be dragged to the Schoole, to the reproach of the Master and the Schoole.
The best meanes that euer I could finde to make them to rise early,How to make all children to striue who shall be first at schoole without any correction. to preuent all this feare of whipping, is this; by letting the little ones to hauehave their places in their fourmes daily, according to their comming after sixe of the clock: so many as are there at sixe, to hauehave their places as they had them by election or the day before: all who come after six, eueryevery one to sit as he commeth, and so to continue that day, and vntill he recouer his place againe by the election of the fourme or otherwise. Thus deale with them at all times, after eueryevery intermission, when they are to be in their places againe, and you shall hauehave them euer attending who to be first in his place; so greatly euen children are prouoked by the credite of their places.
If any cannot be brought by this, then to be noted in the blacke Bill by a speciall marke, and feele the punishment thereof: and sometimes present correction to be vsed for terrour; though this (as I said) to be more seldome, for making them to feare comming to the Schoole.Intermission at nine and three for a quarter of an houre, or more.
The higher Schollars must of necessity rest to doe their exercises, if their exercises be strictly called for.
Thus they are to continue vntill nine, signified by Monitours, Subdoctour, or otherwise. Then at nine I finde that order which is in Westminster to bee farre the best; to let them to hauehave a quarter of an houre at least, or more for intermission, eyther for breakefast, for all who are neere vntounto the Schoole, that can bee there within the time limitted, or els for the nece…sity of eueryevery one, or their honest recreation, or to prepare their exercises against the Masters comming in.
After, each of them to be in his place in an instant vponupon the knocking of the dore, or some other signe giuen by the Subdoctor or Monitors, in paine of losse of his place, or further punishment, as was noted before; so to continue vntill eleuen of the clocke, or somewhat after, to counteruaile the time of the intermission at nine.
To be againe all ready, and in their places at one, in an instant… to continue vntill three, or halfe an houre after: then to hauehave another quarter of an houre or more, as at nine for drinking and necessities; so to continue till halfe an houre after fiue: thereby in that halfe houre to counteruaile the time at three; then to end so as was shewed, with reading a peece of a Chapter, and with singing two staues of a Psalme: lastly, with prayer to be vsed by the Master.
For the Psalmes, eueryevery schollar should begin to giuegive the Psalme and the tune in order,To sing part of a Psalme before breaking vp at night; and each to begin in order and giuegive the tune. and to reade eueryevery verse before them; or eueryevery one to hauehave his booke (if it can bee) and reade it as they doe sing it: where any one can not begin the tune, his next fellow beneath is to helpe him, and take his place.
By this they will all learne to giuegive the tunes sweetely, which is a thing very commendable; and also it will helpe both reading, voyce and audacity in the younge….
Spoud.
But these intermissions at nine and three, may be offensiue: they who know not the maner of them, may reproch the schoole, thinking that they do nothing but play.
Phil.
We are so much as may be in all things to auoyde offence:Intermissions at nine and three a clocke not offensiue. but when by long custome the order is once made knowne, it will be no more offensiue then it is at Westminster, or then it is at noone and night; so that it be done in a decent order.
The benefits of such intermissionsBenefits of intermissions. will be found very great, and to preuent many inconueniences.
1 By this meanes neyther Masters nor Schollars shall bee ouer-toyled,1 None ouer-toyled, but wits euer fresh. but hauehave fit times of refreshing. For there is none (no not almost of the least) but being vsed to it a while, they will sitte very well in their places, for two houres together,The least will soone learne to sit two houres together. or two houres and a halfe; without any wearinesse or necessity, obseruing duely those times.
2 By this meanes also the Schollars may bee kept euer in their places, and hard to their labours, without that running out to the Campo (as the tearme it) at schoole times,2 Kept euer in their places at schoole time. and the manifolde disorders thereof; as watching and striuing for the clubbe, and loytering then in the fields, some hindred that they cannot go forth at all.
But hereby all may hauehave their free liberty in due time; and none can abuse their liberty in that sort, nor hauehave their minds drawne away, nor stirre abroad all the day at schoole times: except vponupon some vrgent necessity, to be signified to the Master or Vsher; and so leaue to be gotten priuately, to returne presently againe. And also in those cases to lose their places for that day, vnlesse the case be approued very necessary and sure; to the end to cut off occasionsLeaue to be graunted vponupon vrgent occasions besides. from such as will pretend necessities. If any one be catched abusing his Master or his liberty, without necessity onelyonly, vponupon desire of idlenesse or play, he is to be corrected sharpely, for ensample. By this meanes you shall bring them to that order and obedience in a short time as they will not thinke of stirring all the day, but at their times appointed, or vponupon very vrgent and almost extraordinary necessity.
3 Besides these benefits,3 The time may be gained daily, and sundry inconueniences preuented. this will also gaine so much time eueryevery day, as is lost in those intermissions; because there is no day but they will all looke for so much time or more, to the Campo: especially the shrewdest boyes, who vse to waite for the club, and watch their times; these will be sure to hauehave much more then that. Besides all the time which they lose in wayting for that idle fit; and that they will, if they can, be away at Lectures, and shewing exercises: and likewise they will exceedingly trouble the Master in asking three or foure sometimes together, what businesse soeuer he be about.
Spoud.
I hauehave been well acquainted with these disorders of the Campo, and vexed with them many a time: I shall be most glad▪ if I may thus reforme them, and finde these benefites in stead thereof. But what say you for their recrea…ions? Let me also hea…e your iudgement in them: for I see that you would hauehave in like manner a speciall regard to be kept thereof.
Phil.
I would indeed hauehave their recreations as well looked vntounto, as their learning; as you may perceiue plainely, by their intermissions, at nine and at three.
Besides those, and all other their intermissions, it is very requisite also, that they should hauehave weekely one part of an after-noone for recreation,Weekely recreations. as a reward of their diligence, obedience and profiting: and that to be appointed at the Masters discretion, eyther the Thursday, after the vsuall custom; or according to the best opportunity of the place. That also to be procured by some Verses, made by the Victors, as was shewed: and then onelyonly, when there hath bin already no play-day in the week before, nor holy day in all the weeke.
Before their breaking vp also, it shall not bee amisse to giuegive them a Theamto make som verses of, ex tempore, Before breaking vp to play, to make verses ex tempore.in the highest fourmes, after they hauehave beene for a time exercised therein: or if time permit, sometime to cap verses.
In capping verses the way to prouoke them the most, and to hauehave most variety of good verses,Or cap verses. The best manner of capping verses. is, to appoint some one or two of the best, to challenge their fellowes to come one after another; and euer as any one but sticketh or misseth in a syllable, the other to tell him, and another to come in his place: or els to trie aduersaries or fourmes together.
This exercise will much helpe capacitie and audacitie,Benefit of capping verses. memorie, right pronuntiation, to furnish with store of authorities for Poetrie, and the like; so as that they may bee very cunning in their Poets by it.
Therefore it may also be vsed in regard of the benefits at some other fit times besides, insteed of some other examination.
Hee that brings the most sweete verses,The greatest commendation in these. out of Ouid and Virgil or Cato amongst the yongest, and so out of other most approued Poets, is to hauehave euer the greatest commendations.
Absurde verses, such as most are of those called Carmina Prouerbialia, are to be hissed forth: Namely, those which are tearmed versus Leonini. As that first verse, Si canis ex hilla religatur mordet in illa.
And so all other of the same mould. Though euen amongst those of that booke there are some tolerable verses, if good choise be made.
This exercise may well goe before play: for it is nothing but a pleasant schoole recreation, & will exceedingly whet on the schollars to an ingenuous contention.
All recreations and sports of schollars,Manner of their recreations. would be meet for Gentleman. Clownish sports, or perilous, or yet playing for money, are no way to be admitted.
The recreations of the studious are as well to be looked vntounto,The recreatiōs of the studious to be regarded. as the study of the rest: That none take hurt by his study, either for minde or bodie, or any waie else.
Yet here of the other side,Ouer much play to be carefully auoided. very great care is to be had, in the moderating of their recreation. For schooles, generally, doe not take more hinderance by any one thing, then by ouer-often leaue to play. Experience teacheth, that this draweth their mindes vtterly away from their bookes, that that they cannot take paines, for longing after plaie, and talking of it; as also deuising meanes to procure others to get leaue to play: so that ordinarily when they are but in hope thereof, they will doe things very negligently; and after the most play they are euermore farre the worst.
And contrarily, when they are most holden to it, without looking for any play, in such a course, as wherein they may take delight, and goe on with ease; then will they do farre the best, without any daunger of taking hurt thereby; for that thē their learning is for most part as a play to them who are ingenuous.
Therefore Masters are to vse great wisdom in auoiding this▪ and answering with mildnesse, all those who are euer importunate in asking leaue.
And whereas such suiters are wont to be instant thus, That the Schollars will learne the better after; we may say truly, that they will learne fa… the worse after. Also, whereas they think that they do them good; they do both them, their friends and the schoole very great hurt, for the reasons mentioned. It is continuall applying which brings learning, and the credit of a schoole. And for this cause it were not amisse, nor inconuenient (neither for the schoole, nor the Master himselfe who hath a regard of the profiting of his schollars) if in such places where both Master and schollars are hindred hereby that there were some statute for the helpe of the Master, that he could not giuegive leaue of himselfe aboue once in the weeke, without consent of the Minister, or some man of authority in the towne; vnlesse very seldome, and vntounto some chiefe parties to be yeelded vntounto of necessity, in regard of some speciall dignity or desert.
Spoud.
Many Masters would count this a bondage.
Phil.
They should yet finde it a profitable bondage, and which would bring no small freedome and comfort to themselues, or benefit and credite to their schooles in the end.
CHAP. XXXI.
Inconuenience growing by diuersitie of teaching, and of Grammars.
Spoud.
BVt what think you of diuersities of Grammars,Inconuenience by diuersity of Grammars and courses of teaching. and of diuers courses in teaching? do you not take them to be very inconuenient?
Phil.
Yes indeed: for by this means they younger schollars comming at new schooles, or vnderunder new masters, are new to begin; or are hindered, and do lose much time, when they must after asort begin againe. Many of great towardnesse and hope are thought to hauehave nothing in them, because they are not acquainted with the newe courses.
Also their former Masters are discredited, which happely had taken the best and most profitable paines with them: the children are vtterly or very much discouraged. Besides that many schoolmasters are extreamly ignorant, and insufficient, not knowing any good course of teaching at all.
Spoud.
But how might these be helped?
Phil.
Only thus: The best courses being once foūd out by search, conference, and trial, with directions & helpsHow helped. for the practice therof▪ & the same vniuersally receiued or at least known; these inconueniences should be for most part preuented, & both Masters & schollars go on with cheerfulnes in eueryevery place. In the meane time this is the safest course; To make them perfect in our ordinary Grāmar, by the vse whereof alone so many excellent schollars hauehave been: then they shall be sure to goe forward in any schoole or course, and to be well liked by eueryevery one.
CHAP. XXXII.
Euils by ordinarie absence of Schollars.
Spoud.
ALthough I hauehave been troubled by that diuersitie, yet much more by the absence of many of my schollars,Euils by absence of schollars. when some of them are away, two or three dayes in a weeke, and sometimes happely a monethmonth together, or almost a quarter of a yeere, as in the haruest time, and it may be they hauehave no bookes neither; and yet the Parents will expect, that they should profit as much as if they were there daily, and as if they had al necessary bookes.
Also they will bee ready to raile vponupon me that their children do no good: whereby both my selfe and my schoole are much traduced; when the fault is wholly in themselues or principally, neither can I tell how to helpe it.
Phil.
I knowe this to bee a common grieuance. The best waie to redresse it, is this, so farre as I know:
1. Parents are to bee admonished, either to keepe their children to schoole daily, or to keep them away continually. For by such absence, though it bee but now and then, the mindes of the best and most studious will bee much drawen away, or they discouraged, and made vnable to go with their fellowes.
Other their fellowes also, are often much hindred for them; Schooles and Masters discredited by them: Besides that in their absence they commonly learne much euill; and chiefly stubbornnesse to corrupt themselues and others
Therefore this would bee looked vntounto specially,How redressed. to be auoided so much as may be: And order to be taken by the gouernours and ouerseers of schooles, that all such should be sent home againe, who are kept awaie aboue a certaine number of daies; as thirteene in a Quarter (as the statute is in some schooles) or a like number: vnlesse in case of sicknesse, or such necessary occasion to be approued by the Master or ouerseers.
Those most seldome absences, to be punished by losse of their places, and correction too, if the fault be found to be any way in themselues; or at least to sit still on the play daies to learne when their fellowes plaie, to recouer that time againe, and to make them more carefull to come; or by all these meanes together. This will make the Parents to amend it.
CHAP. XXXIII.
Discouragements of Schoolemasters by vnthankfulnesse of Parents.
Spoud.
THis is good counsell, if I could get our ouerseers to put it in execution; I my selfe will trie what I can doe to redresse it by these helpes: Yet there is one other discouragement, whereby I hauehave bin very much troubled in my selfe, many times; that is, the great vnthankfulnesse that I finde,Discouragement of Schoolemasters by vnthankfulness of Parents. and hauehave euer found in many whose children I hauehave had; That some, if they think they hauehave any little priuiledge by the place, they will not so much as giuegive me thanks for all my labours, nor it may be afford me a good word, though their children do neuer so well vnderunder me.
Others who hauehave no priuiledge in the place, will giuegive little or nothing, in regarde of my paines, or to my meete maintenance, according to my place, to incourage mee to take paines: and besides, they will run behind with me two or three Quarters, and then they will seek some occasion to take away their children, to set them to other schooles, finding some quarrell that their children did not profit, or the like; and thus not onelyonly defraude me of my due, but also raise such slaunders against me, for the recompence of all my paines.
Phil.
We must look for thankes,Thanks to be expected at Gods hands. Remedies against discouragements by vnthankfulness of Parents. and the rewards of our labours from God, where the world is vnthankfull. But for the help of this, my aduise is, that first we labour to be faithfull in our places, in the best courses and kindes; chiefly to make our schollars good Grāmarians: and then we may be bold to cause them who are of abilitie to paie accordingly in some sort, for the instruction of their children. They will better esteem the worth of learning, and of the seruice we performe to them (in those in whom they are to liue after their time) and also to the Church & Common-wealth. And if God doe blesse vsus, that our schollars profit indeede, we shall in time hauehave schollars enow; such as will be willing to pay well, how basely soeuer learning be esteemed of.
Moreouer, to preuent all such shifting and detraction, it is wisdom euer to cal for our due at the Quarters end; and to see that our cariage & gouernment be such in our place,☞ as that we may stand in the face of any such vnthankful detractour. Also, that Gods blessing on our labours, may euer answere for vsus; which following but these directions we may certainly expect.
Finally, that in our places we labour to serue the Lord faithfully: and then wee may bee sure to receiue the full reward of all our labour, from him; let men, as I said, be neuer so vnthankfull.