Letter (number unidentified). To Lorenzo de Cepeda, Toledo, July 24, 1576

Advice about the education of his sons and management of his household,

1NOTE one matter which I do not wish you to forget. I greatly fear that unless you supervise the boys carefully at once they may get into the most dissipated set in Avila, therefore you should send them now to the College of the Company of Jesus. I will write to the rector, as he will tell you when he sees you. If the good Francisco and Master Daza think well, let the boys wear college

caps. Rodrigo's daughter had six children, only one of whom is a boy, and, fortunately for him, they have always kept him at his studies. He is now at the university of Salamanca. A son of Diego del Águila also went to his classes in a college cap However, you will learn what is the custom at Avila. May God grant that my brother's sons may not be proud and haughty !

You will not see much of Francisco de Salcedo or the Master Daza unless you call on them as they live at some distance from Peralvarez' house, and you require to be alone for such interviews. Do not forget that, for the present, you had better not choose any special confessor, nor keep more servants than can be helped; it is better not to add to their number than to dismiss them. I will write to Valladolid for the page but it does not matter much if the boys go to college for a few days without him as there are two of them. However, I will write and tell them to send him.

You are inclined to be, and have even proved that you are fond of display. You must mortify yourself on this point; do not listen to every one, but be guided in everything by the two whom I mentioned, also by Father Muñoz of the Company of Jesus, if you like, although the advice of the first two will suffice in grave matters. But content yourself with them. Remember, one may begin to do things without realizing what harm they may lead to: you will gain greater favour with God

(and even with men) by keeping your money to bestow in alms, and your children will reap the benefit.

I do not wish you to buy a mule just at present, but a cob which you can ride and use for the house. There is no reason why the boys should not walk; let them go on with their studies.