(* 1) As some Things here propos'd may be found to differ a
little from the Forms of Education in common Use, the following
Quotations are to shew the Opinions of several learned Men, who have
carefully considered and wrote expresly on the Subject; such as
_Milton_, _Locke_, _Rollin_, _Turnbull_, and others. They generally
complain, that the _old Method_ is in many Respects wrong; but long
settled Forms are not easily changed. For us, who are now to make a
Beginning, 'tis, at least, as easy to set out right as wrong; and
therefore their Sentiments are on this Occasion well worth our
Consideration.
Mr. _Rollin_ says (_Belles Lett. p._ 249. speaking of the
Manner of Educating Youth) "Though it be generally a very wise and
judicious Rule to avoid all Singularity, and to follow the received
Customs, yet I question whether, in the Point we now treat of, this
Principle does not admit of some Exception, and whether we ought not
to apprehend the Dangers and Inconveniencies of blindly following the
Footsteps of those who have gone before us, so as to consult _Custom_
more than _Reason_, and the governing our Actions rather by what
others _do_, than by what they _should do_; from whence it often
happens, that an Error once established is handed down from Age to
Age, and becomes almost a certain Law, from a Notion, that we ought
to act like the rest of Mankind, and follow the Example of the
greatest Number.
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