. For such passions corrupt the milk, and alter the
temperature of the child, which now being [2120] _Udum et molle lutum_, "a
moist and soft clay," is easily seasoned and perverted. And if such a nurse
may be found out, that will be diligent and careful withal, let Phavorinus
and M. Aurelius plead how they can against it, I had rather accept of her
in some cases than the mother herself, and which Bonacialus the physician,
Nic. Biesius the politician, _lib. 4. de repub. cap. 8._ approves,
[2121]"Some nurses are much to be preferred to some mothers." For why may
not the mother be naught, a peevish drunken flirt, a waspish choleric slut,
a crazed piece, a fool (as many mothers are), unsound as soon as the nurse?
There is more choice of nurses than mothers; and therefore except the
mother be most virtuous, staid, a woman of excellent good parts, and of a
sound complexion, I would have all children in such cases committed to
discreet strangers. And 'tis the only way; as by marriage they are
engrafted to other families to alter the breed, or if anything be amiss in
the mother, as Ludovicus Mercatus contends, _Tom. 2. lib. de morb. haered._
to prevent diseases and future maladies, to correct and qualify the child's
ill-disposed temperature, which he had from his parents. This is an
excellent remedy, if good choice be made of such a nurse.

SUBSECT. II.--_Education a Cause of Melancholy_.

Education, of these accidental causes of melancholy, may justly challenge
the next place, for if a man escape a bad nurse, he may be undone by evil
bringing up. [2122]Jason Pratensis puts this of education for a principal
cause; bad parents, stepmothers, tutors, masters, teachers, too rigorous,
too severe, too remiss or indulgent on the other side, are often fountains
and furtherers of this disease. Parents and such as have the tuition and
oversight of children, offend many times in that they are too stern, always
threatening, chiding, brawling, whipping, or striking; by means of which
their poor children are so disheartened and cowed, that they never after
have any courage, a merry hour in their lives, or take pleasure in
anything. There is a great moderation to be had in such things, as matters
of so great moment to the making or marring of a child. Some fright their
children with beggars, bugbears, and hobgoblins, if they cry, or be
otherwise unruly: but they are much to blame in it, many times, saith
Lavater, _de spectris, part. 1, cap.