the State, was still conspicuous. The Power of Manners and Maxims thus imbibed was so untractable, even in the declining Periods of the Spartan Commonwealth, that Philopæmen, after many fruitless Attempts to annihilate its Influence, declared, "that the only effectual Method of destroying Sparta, must be in dissolving the Education of their Youth.[1]"
This Analysis is clearly confirmed by Plutarch in the following Passages. "Since we may blame the Legislators of common Rank, who, through Want of Power or Wisdom, commit Mistakes in the Formation of fundamental Laws; how much more may we censure the Conduct of Numa, who for the Reputation of his Wisdom only, being called by the general Voice of an unsettled People to be their King, did not in first Place constitute Laws for the Education of Children, and Discipline of
- ↑ Plutarch: in Philopæm.
