Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-05-03
GOOD ADVICE OF GEO. WASHINGTON
TO BusHRoD WASHINGTON.

Newburgh, 10Th Jan. 1853.
Dear Bushrod-You will be surprised, perhaps,
at receiving letter from Inc but If the end is
answered for which it is written, shall not think
my time lnisspent. Your father, who seems TO
entertain very favorable opinion of your pru-
dence, and hope you merit il, in one or two Of
his letters TO the speaks OF the difficulty he is un-
der to make you remiitances. Whether this aris-
rs from the scantiness of his funds or the exten
sivcness OF your demands is mutter of conjec-
lure with me. hope it is not the latter because
common prudence, and every other consideration
winch ought to have weight in rejecting mind,
ure opposed to your requiring more than his con-
Vehlepce aud a regard TO his other children will
enable him to pay aud because he holds up no
idea in the letter which would support me in the
conclusion. Yet when take view of the mex
perIence of youth, the temptations and vices of
Cities and the disresses 90 which our Virginia
| gentlemen arc driven nv All accumulation oftaxes
ana the want of Market am almost inclined TO
ascribe il in part to both Therefore as friend
give you the following advice. Let the object
which carried you to Philadelphia, he always be
tore your eyes. Remember that 1t IS not The mere
s"hJ OF the law, but TO become eminent in the
pafTr~apJa ct II, that is 70 yield honor aud profit
| The hsst was your choice let the second I've your
ambition. Dissipation is incompatible with both
the company in which you will improve most
will he least expensive to you; aud yet am not
such u stole as to suppose that you will, or to
think it right that YOU should, always he in the
company of Senators and Philosophers; but of
the Juvenile kind let me advise you TO be choice.
1t IL easy to make acquaintaices but very difficult
to shake them of, however irksome and upprof-
able they are found, after we have once commit
ted ourselves TO them. Those indiscretions which
very often, they Involuntary lead one into, prove
equally distressing and disgracelul.
BE courteous 10 all but Intimate with few and
let those be well tried before you give them your
confidence. True friendship is a plant Of slow
Withstand
shocks OF adversely before it is eu,ied to the APP
lpeutiou.
Let your heart feel for the Affections and dis
tresscs of every one, and let your hand give in
proportion t. your purse remembering always
the estimation of the widows mite, but that it is
not every one who aslielh that teserveth charity ;
all, however are worthy after inquiry, the de-
serving may suffer.
Do not conceive that fne clothes make fac men
any more than fine feathers make fine birds. A
pain gen!ee dress is tnore adn,ired, aud obtains
more credit, than lace and embroidery, in the
eyes Of the udciOUs sHd sensible.
Tae last taing which SHAH mention is first in
importance; and tha, is To aroid gaming. This is
vice, which il productive Of every possible evil
equally injurious 10 the u0ras aud health oil its
vothrles. Ii is tie Guild OF avcrke, the brother Of
liniquity AMI the father of mischief! 1t has been
the ruin of many worthy families, the loss OF many
II mas honor, aud the cause Of suicide. TO all
those VINO enter the lists it is equally fascinating.
The successful gaines'er pushes his good fortune,
ill it is overtaken hya reverse. TIE losing game
sler, in hope OF retrieving past nisforlanes, goes
Oh from bad to worse, till grown desperate, he
pushes at every thing and loses his all. Ia word,
few gain by tins abonlinable practice, while thou
sands are injured.
Perhaps you will say "my conduct has ansici-
patcd the advice" and "not one of the cases ap-
plies to me" ! shall he heartily glad of it. 1t
will add not lille to my happiness TO find those
buD cd iipy
ee& walk %. .its. ID Wlll is tis sire road To n,,i
flavor, and TO those honors and places of profit,
which their country can bestow; as merit rarely
goes unrowarded.
am, dear Buslrod, your affectiopaie uncle,
GEO. WASHINGTON,