the Means to make them
flourish, secure their Liberties, _&c_.
With the History of Men, Times and Nations, should be read at
proper Hours or Days, some of the best _Histories of Nature_ (* 23),
which would not only be delightful to Youth, and furnish them with
Matter for their Letters, _&c_. as well as other History; but
afterwards of great Use to them, whether they are Merchants,
Handicrafts, or Divines; enabling the first the better to understand
many Commodities, Drugs, _&c_. the second to improve his Trade or
Handicraft by new Mixtures, Materials, _&c_. and the last to adorn
his Discourses by beautiful Comparisons, and strengthen them by new
Proofs of Divine Providence. The Conversation of all will be
improved by it, as Occasions frequently occur of making Natural
Observations, which are instructive, agreeable, and entertaining in
almost all Companies. _Natural History_ will also afford
Opportunities of introducing many Observations, relating to the
Preservation of Health, which may be afterwards of great Use.
_Arbuthnot_ on Air and _Aliment_, _Sanctorius_ on Perspiration,
_Lemery_ on Foods, and some others, may now be read, and a very
little Explanation will make them sufficiently intelligible to Youth.
While they are reading Natural History, might not a little
_Gardening_, _Planting_, _Grafting_, _Inoculating_, &c. be taught and
practised; and now and then Excursions made to the neighbouring
Plantations of the best Farmers, their Methods observ'd and reason'd
upon for the Information of Youth.
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