s of opinion, that as in Logic the
rules of syllogism are chiefly to be attended to, so in Physics the
enquiry into the nature and functions of the soul is of most importance.
After Physics he advises him to proceed to Metaphysics, of which he
might get some notion from Timplerus' book, which is neither long nor
obscure. The study of Moral Philosophy is to be begun with Aristotle,
whose books to Nicomachus are the best. "Your reader, says he, must give
you in a small compass what the ablest interpreters have said. It is
also necessary to be acquainted with the sentiments of the different
sects of Philosophers; for without that knowledge you will be much at a
loss in reading the Ancients, and profit little by them." To unbend
after this serious study, some other short and agreeable books that have
a relation to it may be read: such as _Ecclesiasticus_, the _Wisdom of
Solomon_, _Theognis_, _Phocilides_, the _Golden Verses ascribed to
Pythagoras_, _Epictetus's Enchiridion_, _Hierocles_, and the
_Commentaries of Arrian_; not omitting the _Characters of Theophrastus_.
What the Poets have written on Morality may also be perused; with some
select Tragedies of Euripides, _Terence's Comedies_, and _Horace's
Epistles_. Young people and grown persons admire different things in
these writings: the beauty of the style pleases the first: the others
learn by them to know men. To these works may be added _Cicero's
Offices_, a piece not enough esteemed, purely because it is in the hands
of every one; some of _Seneca's Epistles_, the Tragedies that go under
his name; and the best of Plutarch's smaller pieces. After having gone
through _Aristotle's Politics_, the excellent extract by Polybius of
Republics is to be read; with the _Harangues of Mecaenas and Agrippa to
Augustus_, in Dion; and _Sallust's Letter to Caesar_. _Plutarch's Lives
of Pericles_, _Cato_, _the Gracchi_, _Demosthenes_, _and Cicero_, must
not be omitted: much may be learned too from _Cicero's Letters to
Atticus_, if they were translated by one well acquainted with the Roman
History of that period.

After this would be the proper time for reading _Aristotle's Rhetoric_:
for, as is well remark'd by that great man, who possessed all the arts
and sciences in an eminent degree, from Morals and Politics must the
arguments be drawn that are to convince mens understandings; that is to
say, it is impossible to be truly eloquent without extensive knowledge.
The better to perceive