Nourse, Timothy (c.1636–1699)

A Discourse Upon the Nature and Faculties of Man

London

Printed for Jacob Tonson

1686, 1689, 1697

"Learning ought to be infus'd into the Scholar like spirits into a Bottle, by little and little, for whosoever attempts to pour in all at once, may in all likelihood spill a great part, and in a great measure fill the Vessel with Wind and Air."

The Jesuits certainly are well worthy our imitation in this particular: Nor is there any Art by which they create themselves a greater interest in the Countries where the live, than that by which they undertake the Education of Youth. They who are deputed for this Employment, are not of the meanest quality; they are usually Gentlemen, Men of mature years, and such who have been well vers'd, not only in Ancient Authors, but in the Practice and Conversation of men, and in the methods of business: Their way is, by familiarity and softness to insinuate into the Affections of the Scholar, and to draw him on to diligence rather by hopes, then to whip him forwards by Punishments and Fear: And yet where Negligence makes Correction a duty, they do it rather by inflicting some light disgrace, than by Corporal chastisement, a thing opprobrious to Nature, and which rather dulls than quickens the capacities of Youth. One thing they practice frequently which is really of wonderful use, and that is, their accustoming their Schollars to Act their Parts in Plays. This inures them to a Manlike speech, and to a steedy Spirit and Address. I like Tragedy better than Comedy, where the Argument commonly is light, and is such as requires much of the Buffoon, whereas the former being great and Masculine, will be sure to leave a Tincture of something Noble upon the Mind of him who personates the Hero. Learning ought to be infus'd into the Scholar like spirits into a Bottle, by little and little, for whosoever attempts to pour in all at once, may in all likelihood spill a great part, and in a great measure fill the Vessel with Wind and Air. The Vessels 'tis true which have the streightest Necks will not so readily receive the Liquour, but then they will preserve what they once receive with much more certainty and lastingness of spirit. 'Tis so many times in the capacities of Youth: they who can receive any impression like the Virgin-wax, will as easily suffer a defacement unless it be hardned and matur'd by Time: whereas others who are hard to be wrought upon like Steel, retain the Images which are Engraven on them with much more beauty and perpetuity.
(pp. 23-5)

Container::Bottle Liquid::Spirits Container::Vessel Uncategorized::Wind and Air

Reading Sean Silver's The Mind is a Collection: Case Studies in Eighteenth-Century Thought (Philadelphia: Penn Press, 2015), 275n.

3 editions in ODNB, 2 found in ESTC (1686, 1689, 1697).

See Timothy Nourse, A Discourse Upon the Nature and Faculties of Man in Several Essayes With Some Considerations of Humane Life (London: Printed for Jacob Tonson at the Judge’s Head in Chancery-Lane, near Fleet-street, 1686). <Link to ESTC><Link to EEBO-TCP>

03/11/2016