John Newbery

“ I have here sent you a Little Pretty Pocket-Book, which will teach you to play at all those innocent Games that good Boys and Girls divert themselves with: And, while you behave so well, you shall never want Play, I assure you. ”

“ And on his Head a golden Helmet wears.
For then begins the stern Bellona's Rage,
And hostile Realms in Bloody Wars engage:
His calm Approach revives the peaceful Plain,
But leads on Death where Discord holds its Reign. ”

“ His Learning and Behaviour purchased him the Esteem of the greatest People, and raised him from a mean State of Life to a Coach and Six, in which he rides to this Day. Learning is a most excellent Thing, and easy to be acquired too, when little Boys set themselves earnestly about it. ”

“ Was this Method of Reasoning put more in Practice by Tutors, Parents, &c. we should not see so many dismal Objects in the World, for People would learn by the Misfortunes of others to avert their own.
I doubt not but every Parent, every Father and Mother, would gladly contribute what they could towards the Happiness of their Children; and yet it is surprising to see how blind they are, and how wide they mistake the Mark. What the indulgent Parent generally proposes for the Happiness of his Child, is a good Fortune to bear him up under the Calamities of Life ”

“ I know of a little Lady, no bigger than your pretty Miss, who has behaved so that every Body is in love with her. She is extremely dutiful to her Parents and Governess, kind to her School-fellows, and obliging to every Body. ”

“ A Boy's Tongue should never be heard in the School but in answering a Question, or saying his Lesson.
⁠9 If a Stranger speak to thee in School, stand up and answer with Respect and Ceremony, both of Word and Gesture, as if thou speakest to thy Master. ”

“ You see, my Dear, the little Kid, by taking, her Parent's Advice, preserved her own Life; for had she been so wicked as to have neglected what the Goat (her Mother) said to her, and had opened the Door, the Wolf would certainly have torn her, to Pieces. ”

“ Would you have a Healthy Son, observe the Directions already laid down with regard to Diet and Exercise, and keep him, as much as possible, from Physick; for Physick is to the Body, as Arms to the State; both are necessary, but neither to be used but in Cases of Emergency and Danger.
Would you have a Virtuous Son, instill into him the Principles of Morality early, and encourage him in the Practice of those excellent Rules, by which whole Societies, States, Kingdoms, and Empires are knit together. ”

“ This Boy's Fate, my Dear, is a remarkable Instance of the Folly and Wickedness of telling Lies; if he had not deceived the People before, they would have believed him, and ran to his Assistance, by which Means both him and his Sheep might have been saved, which are now torn to Pieces: I hope you will remember this, my Dear, and resolve in yourself never to tell a Lie ”

“ Happiness and Misery have their Source from the Passions: If in the Midst of the greatest Affluence, we are always repining, and think ourselves poor and miserable, we are so; and the Beggar in the Straw, who is content, and thinks he has sufficient, is rich and happy. ”

“ As good sit still, as rise up and fall.
A hasty Man never wants Woe.
Birds of a Feather will flock together.
The burnt Child dreads the Fire.
Better the End of a Feast than the Beginning of a Fray. ”

“ But my dear Tommy, in order that you may be as good as possible, I have also sent you a Ball; the one Side of which is Red, the other Black, and with it ten Pins; and I must insist upon making this Bargain, that your Nurse may hang up the Ball by the String to it, and for every good Action you do, a Pin shall be stuck on the Red Side, and for every bad Action a Pin shall be stuck on the Black Side. And when by doing good and pretty Things you have got all the ten Pins on the Red Side, then I will send you a Penny, and so I will as often as all the Pins shall be fairly got on that Side. ”

“ And though you are sometimes naughty, she says you are very honest and good-humoured; that you do not tell Lies, nor say indecent Words and are always thankful when any Body gives you good Advice; that you never quarrel, nor do wicked Things, as some other Girls do.
This Character, my Dear, has made every Body love you; and, while you continue so good, you may depend on my obliging you with every Thing I can. ”

“ You see, my Dear, the sad Effects of keeping bad Company; if the poor harmless Strork had not been in Company with the wicked Crane, he might probably have lived until this Day; therefore of all Things take Care what Sort of Children you play with, for those that are wicked will make you so too ”

“ Would you have your Child Strong, take Care of your Nurse, let her be a prudent Woman, one that will give him what Meat and Drink is necessary, and such only as affords a good Nutriment, not salt Meat, rich tarts, Sauces, Wine, &c. a Practice too common amongst some indulgent People. ”

“ But when three Persons walk together, the middle Place is the must honourable: And a Son may walk at his Father's Right Hand, when his younger Brother walks at his Left.
⁠6 Give thy Superiours leave to pass before thee in any narrow Place, where two Persons cannot pass at once. ”

“ And designed for a Present to every little Boy who would become a great Mam, and ride upon a fine Horse; and to every little Girl, who would become a great Woman, and ride in a Governour's gilt Coach. ”

“ Behaviour when at Home.
⁠1Make a Bow always when you come Home, and be instantly uncovered.
⁠2 Be never covered at Home, especially before thy Parents or Strangers.
⁠3 Never set in the Presence of thy Parents without bidding, though no Stranger be present.
⁠4 If thou passest by thy Parents at any Place where thou seet them, either by themselves or with Company, bow towards them.
⁠5 If thou art going to speak to thy Parents, and see them engaged in Discourse with Company, draw back and leave thy Business until afterwards, but if thou must speak, be sure to whisper. ”

“ The grand Design in the Nurture of Children, is to make them Strong, Hardy, Healthy, Virtuous, Wise, and Happy; and these good Purposes are not to be obtained without some Care and Management in their Infancy. ”

“ Here's great W, X,
⁠Good Friends do not vex,
All things will go well
⁠Dear W, and X.
w, x
There's great Y, and Z,
⁠On a Horse that is mad:
If you fall down,
⁠Farewel Poor great Y and Z.
y, z. ”

“ Behaviour in their Discourse.
⁠1Among Superiours speak not until thou art spoken to, and bidden to speak.
⁠2 Hold not thine Hand, nor any Thing else before thy Mouth when thou speakest.
⁠3 Come not over near to the Person thou speakest to.
⁠4 If thy Superiour speak to thee while thou sittest, stand up before thou givest any answer.
⁠5 Sit not down until thy Superiour bid thee.
⁠6 Speak neither very loud: Nor too low. ”

“ Behaviour when at Table.
⁠1Come not to the Table without having your Hands and Face washed, and your Head combed.
⁠2 Sit not down until thou art bidden by thy Parents or other Superiours.
⁠3 Be sure thou never sittest down until a Blessing be desired, and then in thy due Place.
⁠4 Offer not to carve for thyself, or to take any Thing, though it be that which thou dost greatly desire.
⁠5 Ask not for any Thing, but tarry until it be offered thee.
⁠6 Find no Fault with any Thing that is given thee.
⁠7 When thou hast Meat given thee, be not the first that begins to eat. ”

“ Children's Behavior at the Meeting House.
⁠1Decently walk to thy Seat or Pew; run not, nor go wantonly.
⁠2 Sit where thou art ordered by thy Superiours, Parents or Masters.
⁠3 Shift not Seats, but continue in the Place where your Superiours order you.
⁠4 Lend thy Place for the easing of any one that stands near thee. ”