st_
common Subjects; and conversing with Persons belonging to Trade and
Navigation from _London_, for the most Part they are much civilized, and
wear the best of Cloaths according to their Station; nay, sometimes too
good for their Circumstances, being for the Generality comely handsom
Persons, of good Features and fine Complexions (if they take Care) of
good Manners and Address. The Climate makes them bright, and of
excellent Sense, and sharp in Trade, an Ideot, or deformed Native being
almost a Miracle.

Thus they have good natural Notions, and will soon learn Arts and
Sciences; but are generally diverted by Business or Inclination from
profound Study, and prying into the Depth of Things; being ripe for
Management of their Affairs, before they have laid so good a Foundation
of Learning, and had such Instructions, and acquired such
Accomplishments, as might be instilled into such good natural
Capacities. Nevertheless thro' their quick Apprehension, they have a
Sufficiency of Knowledge, and Fluency of Tongue, tho' their Learning for
the most Part be but superficial.

They are more inclinable to read Men by Business and Conversation, than
to dive into Books, and are for the most Part only desirous of learning
what is absolutely necessary, in the shortest and best Method.

Having this Knowledge of their Capacities and Inclination from
sufficient Experience, I have composed on Purpose some short Treatises
adapted with my best Judgment to a Course of Education for the Gentlemen
of the Plantations; consisting in a short _English Grammar_; an
_Accidence to Christianity_; an _Accidence to the Mathematicks_,
especially to _Arithmetick_ in all its Parts and Applications,
_Algebra_, _Geometry_, _Surveying of Land_, and _Navigation_.

These are the most useful Branches of Learning for _them_, and such as
they willingly and readily master, if taught in a plain and short
Method, truly applicable to their _Genius_; which I have endeavoured to
do, for the Use of _them_, and _all others_ of their Temper and Parts.

They are not very easily persuaded to the Improvement of useful
Inventions (except a few, such as Sawing Mills) neither are they great
Encouragers of Manufactures, because of the Trouble and certain Expence
in Attempts of this kind, with uncertain Prospect of Gain; whereas by
their staple Commodity, Tobacco, they are in hopes to get a plentiful
Provision; nay, often very great Estates.

Upon this Account they think it