Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/51



Have often thought that there could not be a pleasanter Entertainment to an inquisitive Man, than to run over the first Thoughts which he had in his Infancy, whilst he was gathering his Collection of Idea's, and labouring to express those Sounds, by which he perceived that his Mother and Nurse made themselves be understood. We should then see the true Gradations by which Knowledge is acquired: We should judge, perhaps, what is in it self hard, and what easie, and also what it is that makes them so; and thereby make a better Estimate of the Force of Men's Understandings, than can now be made. But this it is in vain to lament for, since it can never be had. Yet it may in general be observed, that the first Thoughts of Infants are of Things immediately necessary for Life. That being in some measure satisfied, they spend their Childhood in Pleasure, if left to their own Liberty, till they are grown up. Then they begin to reflect upon the Things