A New Method of Educating Children: Or, Rules and Directions For the Well Ordering and Governing Them, During Their Younger Years. Shewing That they are capable, at the Age of Three Years, to be caused to learn Languages, and most Arts and Sciences; which, if observ'd By Parents, would be of greater Value than a Thousand Pounds Portion. Also, What Methods is to be used by Breeding Women, and what Diet is most proper for them, and their Children, to prevent Wind, Vapours, contusions, &c. Recommended to Parents, Nurses, Tutors, and all others concerned in the Educating of Children.

First edition of this humane educational treatise, opposing corporal punishment and outlining an early defence of women's education. Thomas Tryon (1634-1703) pivoted from a prosperous hat-making business to a new career as a popular author in late Stuart London, during which he became an early and prominent advocate of several forward-looking causes, including ethical vegetarianism. Aphra Benn praised his mystically informed writings on health, as did, a century later, Benjamin Franklin. At least one biography of Franklin has attributed to Tryon a broader influence on the young founding father: "it is not to be doubted that this obscure Pythagorean had an incalculable effect upon the tone of Benjamin's young and eager mind" (Scudder, p. 26). Franklin would have found much to agree with in Tryon's contention that "Females are naturally as fit for, and capable of all excellent Learning, as Men, even the Mathematicks it self; and if there be any difference, the Advantage is on the Womens side" (pp. 15-16). ESTC R34678. Evarts Seelye Scudder, Benjamin Franklin, a Biography, 1939. Duodecimo (130 x 76 mm), pp. [viii], 102, [10]. Recent red panelled calf, spine lettered and ruled in gilt, edges sprinkled red. With 20th-century bookplate of the Fox Pointe Collection, a substantial library of 16th- and 17th-century English books. Contemporary ink manuscript excision of author's name on final page. Light rubbing, minor browning and offsetting to contents, margins trimmed, touching many headlines: a very good copy.…