Works of Joseph Hall, Section 13
SECT. XIII.
SINCE therefore Trauell cannot out-bid vsus in theſe higheſt commodities, which concerne the wealth of the minde; all the aduantage it can afford vsus, muſt bee in thoſe mixt abilities, wherein our bodies are the greateſt partners, as dancing, fencing, muſicke, vaulting, horſemanſhip; the onelyonly profeſſions of the miſ-named Academies of other Nations. Who can denie that ſuch like exerciſes are fit for young Gentlemen, not onelyonly for their preſent recreation, but much more for the preparing of them to more ſerious action? Yet muſt theſe learne to know their places: what are they elſe but the varniſh of that picture of Gentry, whoſe ſubſtance conſiſts in the lines and colours of true vertue? but the lace or facing of a rich garment? but the hang-bies of that royall court which the ſoule keeps in a generous heart? He that holds Gentilitie accompliſhed with theſe (though laudible) qualities, partakes more of his horſe, than his horſe can poſſibly of him. This skill then is worthy of our purchaſe, yet may not be bought too deare and perhaps need not to be fetcht ſo far. Neither my profeſſion, nor my experience will allow me to hold compariſons in this kinde; but I hauehave bin heartned by no meane maſters of theſe Arts, to ſay that our Nation hauehave yeelded ſome in all theſe faculties, which need not ſtoope vntounto the proudeſt fortainer: ours hauehave no fault but one, that they are our owne; and what hath their Countrey offended, if their Art offend not? It is an humorous giddineſſe to meaſure the goodnes of any thing by the diſtance of miles, and where there is equality of worth, to neglect the neereſt. I flander our Nation if it be not ſicke of this diſeaſe, in the courſe of all Sciences. And if neereneſſe and preſence be the cauſe of our diſlike, why doe we not hate our ſelues, which are euer in our owne boſome? Why loe we not hate this faſtidious curioſity, which is too cloſe to vsus? Perhaps perfection in theſe qualities is thinner ſowne amongſt vsus, than ſome other-where; ſo as our Iland for want of worke, and encouragement, affoords no ſuch multitude of maſters: but how can we complaine of rareneſſe, ſince if our age yeeld vsus but one excellent in each kinde, it is more than we are willing to vſe; and if the fault were not in our ſelues, one candle might light a thouſand. To inſtance in the beſt: The Horſe is a noble creature, which as it is the ſtrength and pride of France, ſo winnes the hearts and heeles of that Nation. The generality of their skill is nothing to a ſtranger; each priuate mans cunning reſts in himſelfe; it is onelyonly the Teacher, whoſe ability may concerne vsus. And whereas there is a double kinde of menage (as I hauehave heard) one for ſeruice, the other for pleaſure; in the firſt, our Maſters thinke they cannot yeeld vntounto the beſt; in the latter, if they grant themſelues exceeded, how many men hauehave taught their dogge the ſame tricks, with no leſſe contentment? In both, we hauehave the written directions of their greateſt Artiſts; who (for the perpetuity of their owne honour) failed not to ſay their beſt. And if theſe dead Maſters ſuffice not, we hauehave had, we may hauehave the beſt of their liuing: The conſcience of a mans excellency will abide no limits, but ſpurs him forth to winne admiration abroad; and if therewithall hee can finde aduancement of profit, how willingly doth he change his home? We hauehave had experience of this in higher profeſſions, much more of theſe vnderunder foot. One obſcure towne of Holland in our memory, had by this meanes drawne together at once the greateſt lights of Europe, and made it ſelfe then no leſſe renowned for Profeſſors, than it is now infamous for Schiſme. Feare of enuy forbids me to name thoſe amongſt vsus, which hauehave honoured this Iland in the choice of their abode. Where Art is encouraged, it will ſoone riſe high, and goe farre, and not ſuffer a channell of the Sea to ſtay it from the preſence of a more bountifull patronage.