Thus much haue I marked in clipping of, of that multitude which oppresseth learning with too too many, as too too many wheresoeuer they be, ouercharge the soile in all professions. For the matter wheron to liue iustly and truly being within compasse, and the men which must liue vpon it, being still without ende, must not desire of maintenaunce specially if it be ioyned with a porte, wring a number to the wall, to get wheron to liue? I neede pinch no particular wherethe generall is so sore gauled. Marke but those professions and occupations, which be most cloyed vp with number, whether they be bookish or not, and waye the poorer sort, wheron at the last the pinching doth light, though it passe many handes before, if to great a multitude making to great a state do not proue a shrew, then am I deceyued: so that it were good there were stripping vsed, and that be time in yonger yeares. For youth being let go forward vpon hope, and chekt with dispaire while it rometh without purueyaunce, makes marueilous a doe before it will die. And if no miserable shift will serue at home, verie defection to the foe, and common enemie will send them abrode, to seeke for that, which in such a case they are sure to finde. Wherefore as countenaunce in the ouerflowing number, which findeth place in a state doth infect extremely, by seeking out vnlawfull and corrosiue maintenaunce: so roming in the vnbestowed offaull, which findes no place in a state, doth festure fellonly, by seeking to shake it, with most rebellious enterprises.
THAT YOUNG MAIDENS ARE TO BE SET TO LEARNING, WHICH IS PROUED, BY THE CUSTOME OF OUR COUNTREY, BY OUR DUETIE TOWARDES THEM, BY THEIR NATURALL ABILITIES, AND BY THE WORTHY EFFECTES OF SUCH AS HAUE BENE WELL TRAINED. THE ENDE WHERVNTO THEIR EDUCATION SERUETH WHICH IS THE CAUSE WHY AND HOW MUCH THEY LEARNE. WHICH OF THEM ARE TO LEARNE, WHEN THEY ARE TO BEGIN TO LEARNE. WHAT AND HOW MUCH THEY MAY LEARNE. OF WHOM AND WHERE THEY OUGHT TO BE TAUGHT.
When I did appoint the persons, which were to receiue the benefit of education: I did not exclude young _maidens_, and therefore seeing I made them one braunche of my diuision, I must of force say somwhat more of them. A thing perhaps which some will thinke might wel enough haue bene past ouer with silence, as not belonging to my purpose, which professe the education of boyes, and the generall traine in that kinde. But seeing I begin so low as the first _Elementarie_, wherin we see that young _maidens_ be ordinarily trained, how could I seeme not to see them, being so apparently taught?