Sy. Because I don’t eat Hay.

Ra. You have this to do still; make ready my Portmanteau quickly.

Sy. It shall be done.

The SCHOOL-MASTER’S ADMONITIONS.

The ARGUMENT.

The School-master’s Instructions teach a Boy Modesty, Civility, and Manners becoming his Age, in what Posture he ought to stand while he talks to his Superiors; concerning Habit, Discourse, and Behaviour at Table and in School.

The School-master and Boy.

Sch. You seem not to have been bred at Court, but in a Cow-stall; you behave yourself so clownishly.  A Gentleman ought to behave himself like a Gentleman.  As often or whenever any one that is your Superior speaks to you, stand strait, pull off your Hat, and look neither doggedly, surlily, saucily, malapertly, nor unsettledly, but with a staid, modest, pleasant Air in your Countenance, and a bashful Look fix’d upon the Person who speaks to you; your Feet set close one by t’other; your Hands without Action:  Don’t stand titter, totter, first standing upon one Foot, and then upon another, nor playing with your Fingers, biting your Lip, scratching your Head, or picking your Ears:  Let your Cloaths be put on tight and neat, that your whole Dress, Air, Motion and Habit, may bespeak a modest and bashful Temper.

Bo. What if I shall try, Sir?

Ma. Do so.

Bo. Is this right?

Ma. Not quite.

Bo. Must I do so?

Ma. That’s pretty well.

Bo. Must I stand so?

Ma. Ay, that’s very well, remember that Posture; don’t be a Prittle prattle, nor Prate apace, nor be a minding any Thing but what is said to you.  If you are to make an Answer, do it in few Words, and to the Purpose, every now and then prefacing with some Title of Respect, and sometimes use a Title of Honour, and now and then make a Bow, especially when you have done speaking:  Nor do you go away without asking Leave, or being bid to go:  Now come let me see how you can practise this.  How long have you been from Home?

Bo. Almost six Months.

Ma. You should have said, Sir.

Bo. Almost six Months, Sir.

Ma. Don’t you long to see your Mother?

Bo. Yes, sometimes.

Ma. Have you a Mind to go to see her?

Bo. Yes, with your Leave, Sir.

Ma. Now you should have made a Bow; that’s very well, remember to do so; when you speak, don’t speak fast, stammer, or speak in your Throat, but use yourself to pronounce your Words distinctly and clearly.  If you pass by any ancient Person, a Magistrate, a Minister, or Doctor, or any Person of Figure, be sure to pull off your Hat, and make your Reverence:  Do the same when you pass by any sacred Place, or the Image of the Cross.  When you are