Eu. Suppose it were of no Moment what Milk the little Infant suck’d, what Spittle it swallow’d with its chew’d Victuals; and you had such a Nurse, that I question whether there is such an one to be found; do you think there is any one in the World will go through all the Fatigue of Nursing as the Mother herself; the Bewrayings, the Sitting up a Nights, the Crying, the Sickness, and the diligent Care in looking after it, which can scarce be enough.  If there can be one that loves like the Mother, then she will take Care like a Mother.  And besides, this will be the Effect of it, that your Son won’t love you so heartily, that native Affection being as it were divided between two Mothers; nor will you have the same Affection for your Son:  So that when he is grown up, he will neither be so obedient to you, nor will you have the same Regard for him, perhaps perceiving in him the Disposition of his Nurse.  The principal Step to Advancement in Learning, is the mutual Love between the Teacher and Scholar:  So that if he does not lose any Thing of the Fragrancy of his native good Temper, you will with the greater Ease be able to instil into him the Precepts of a good Life.  And a Mother can do much in this Matter, in that she has pliable Matter to work upon, that is easy to be carried any Way.

Fa. I find it is not so easy a Thing to be a Mother, as it is generally looked upon to be.

Eu. If you can’t depend upon what I say, St. Paul, speaking very plainly of Women, says, She shall be saved in Childbearing.

Fa. Are all the Women saved that bear Children?

Eu. No, he adds, if she continue in the Faith.  You have not performed the Duty of a Mother before you have first formed the little tender Body of your Son, and after that his Mind, equally soft, by a good Education.

Fa. But it is not in the Power of the Mother that the Children should persevere in Piety.

Eu. Perhaps it may not be; but a careful Admonition is of that Moment, that Paul accounts it imputable to Mothers, if the Children degenerate from Piety.  But in the last Place, if you do what is in your Power, God will add his Assistance to your Diligence.

Fa. Indeed Eutrapelus, your Discourse has persuaded me, if you can but persuade my Parents and my Husband.

Eu. Well, I’ll take that upon me, if you will but lend your helping Hand.

Fa. I promise you I will.

Eu. But mayn’t a Body see this little Boy?

Fa. Yes, that you may and welcome.  Do you hear, Syrisca, bid the Nurse bring the Child.

Eu. ’Tis a very pretty Boy.  It is a common Saying, there ought to be Grains of Allowance given to the first Essay:  But you upon the first Trial have shewn the very highest Pitch of Art.

Fa. Why, it is not a Piece of carved Work, that so much Art should be required.