Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 1 · Plutarch
BY MR. PATRICK, OF THE CHARTERHOUSE.
If men may be taught to sing, dance, and read; to be skilful husbandmen and good riders,—why not to order their lives aright? 78. The practice of virtue is immensely more important than graceful speech and manners, 79. If things of trifling moment may be taught, much more things of the deepest concern, 80. THE ACCOUNT OF THE LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF THE LACEDAEMONIANS. BY MR. JOHN PULLEYN, OF TRINITY COLLEGE IN CAMBRIDGE. Institutions of Lycurgus, 82. The citizens ate at one table, 82. Conversation at the table, 82. The food: black broth, 83; spare diet, 84. Learning, philosophy, mechanic trades, theatrical performances, utterly banished, 85. Scanty apparel, 86; hard beds, 86; social attachments, 86. A strict watch kept over the young, 87. Respect to the aged, 88. Control by the aged of other people’s children, 88, 89. Children allowed to steal, if the theft were carefully concealed, 89. The Spartan poetry and music, 90; martial music, 91. Tenacity of ancient customs, 92. Funerals, 92, 93; inscriptions, 93. Foreign travel prohibited, 98. A community of children, 93; and of goods and estates, 94. Their warlike expeditions, 94. Their religious worship, 95. The Helots, when drunk, exhibited before the children, 96. None but grave poetry allowed, 96. Meekness and forgiveness of injuries not tolerated, 97. A laconic style of speaking practised, 98. Whipping of boys annually before the altar of Diana, 98. Neglect of maritime affairs, 99. Gold and silver banished, 99. Final overthrow of the institutions of Lycurgus, 100.
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