DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.52059#0049
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every article, as fully accomplished at eight years old,
as at twenty-eight, years adding only to the growth of
his person and his vice .... the same airs, the same
strut, the same cock of his hat, and posture of his
sword (as far as the change of fashion will allow), the
same understanding, the same compass of knowledge,
with the very same absurdity, impudence and imperti-
nence of tongue.
“ He is taught from the nursery that he must inherit
a great estate, and has no need to mind his book, which
is a lesson he never forgets to the end of his life. His
chief solace is to steal down and play at spin-farthing
with the page, or young black-a-moor, or little favourite
foot-boy, one of which is his principal confidant and
bosom friend.”1
3. Education at Schools and Academics.
Apart from the religious schools mentioned above,
Winchester College (founded in 1373) was probably
the only school of importance for the education of the
gentry till the foundation of Eton in 1440. A few more
endowed grammar schools were added, before the close
of the century, to those already existing. But by the
dissolution of the monasteries at the time of the Refor-
mation, more than a hundred of the flourishing schools
connected with them were destroyed, and great addi-
tions to the grammar schools became necessary, which
were effected in the course of the next fifty years.2
1 With this may be compared John Littleton Costeker, The Fine
Gentleman, 1732, p. 10.
2 See Warton’s History of English Poetry, ed. 1840, vol. iv. p. 9 ;
and Dr. Furnivall’s Essay, p. lii.
every article, as fully accomplished at eight years old,
as at twenty-eight, years adding only to the growth of
his person and his vice .... the same airs, the same
strut, the same cock of his hat, and posture of his
sword (as far as the change of fashion will allow), the
same understanding, the same compass of knowledge,
with the very same absurdity, impudence and imperti-
nence of tongue.
“ He is taught from the nursery that he must inherit
a great estate, and has no need to mind his book, which
is a lesson he never forgets to the end of his life. His
chief solace is to steal down and play at spin-farthing
with the page, or young black-a-moor, or little favourite
foot-boy, one of which is his principal confidant and
bosom friend.”1
3. Education at Schools and Academics.
Apart from the religious schools mentioned above,
Winchester College (founded in 1373) was probably
the only school of importance for the education of the
gentry till the foundation of Eton in 1440. A few more
endowed grammar schools were added, before the close
of the century, to those already existing. But by the
dissolution of the monasteries at the time of the Refor-
mation, more than a hundred of the flourishing schools
connected with them were destroyed, and great addi-
tions to the grammar schools became necessary, which
were effected in the course of the next fifty years.2
1 With this may be compared John Littleton Costeker, The Fine
Gentleman, 1732, p. 10.
2 See Warton’s History of English Poetry, ed. 1840, vol. iv. p. 9 ;
and Dr. Furnivall’s Essay, p. lii.