Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-04-16
GOOD ADVICE FROM GEORGE
WASHINGTON.
TO DUSHROD WASHINGTON.
Ne,uburgh. 18th Jan, 1893.

Dear Bushrod.-You will be surprised,
perhaps al receiving letter from me but
if the end is answered for WHICH it is written,
| shall not think my time misspent. Your
father, who seems to entertain very favo-
rable opinion of your prudence, and hope
you merit it, in one or two of his letters TO
me speaks of the difficulty he is under to
make you rcmtanccs. Whether this arises
from the scantincss of his funds or the extern
sivcness of your demands, is matter of
conjecture with me. hope it is not the
latter; because common prudence, and
every other consideration, which ought to
have weight in rejecting m,nd, arc oppos-
ed to your requiring more than his conve-
nicnce and "a regard to his other children will
enable HIM to pay; and because he holds up
no idea in the latter winch would support
me in the conclusion. Yet when take IA
view OF the ncXpericnce of youth, the temp
tations and vices of cities, and the distresscs
to which our Virginia gentlemen are driven
by an accumulation of taxes and the want of
"A market, | am almost inclined to ascribc it
in part TO both. Therefore as friend rive
you the following advice. Let the object
which carried you to Philadelphia, be al
ways before your eyes. Remember that it
is not the mere study of the law, but to be-
come eminent in the profession of it, that is
to yield honor and profit. The first was
your choice; let the second be your ambi-
ton. Dissipation is Incompatible with both
the company in which you will improve
most will be least expensive to yon !; and We,
| am not such a store as to suppose that you
will, or to think it right that YOU should, al
ways be in company with Senators and Phi
losophcrs; but of the juvenile kind let me
advise to be choice. |, is easy to make ac-
quaintancrs, but very difficult to shake then
off, however irksomc and Improbable they
are found, after we have once committc,
ourselves to them. These indiscrc,ion.
which, very oftcu, they nvolnntariIy LEAF
one into prove equally distressing aud dis.
graceful.
BE courteous to all but intimate will, few
and let those few be well tried before vo,
: give them your confidence. True friend
ship is plant of slow growth, and mus
r undergo and withstand the shocks of advcr
D s'ty before it is entitled to the appcllatIon.
Let your heart feel for the affections am
distreSscs of every one, and let your hant
give IN proportion to your purse; remember
z, ing always the estimation of the widow
mite, but that it is not every one who askctl
, that dcserveth charity; all however arr
worthy after inquiry, or the deserving ma,
suffer.
Do not conceive that fine clothes make finn
men any more than fine fathers make fin
birds, A plain, gcnteel dress is more ad
; mired, and obtains more credit, than lac
and embroidery, in the eyes of the Judiciou
! and sensible.
The last thing Which shall mention is frs
= in importance; and that is 70 AVOID GAMING
D This is a vice, which is productive q
j every possible evil equally injurious to II,
d morals and health Of its votarics. 1t is tn
e child of avaricc, the brother of iniquity
y and the father of mischief 1t has been tn
!, ruin of many worthy families, the loss G
u many a mans honor, and the cause of sui
J., eide. To all those who enter the lists il
:, equally fascinating. Tie successful game
G ster pushes his good fortunes, till i, is over
taken by a reverse. The losing gamcster, i
!, hopes of retrieving past mistorluncs, goes o
Il from bad to worse, till grown desperate |,
n pushes at every thing and loses his all. In
|, word, few gain by this abomnable practic.
/, while thousands are Injured.
:. Perhaps youwill say "my conduct has an
ticipated the advice" and "not one of
cases applies to me- shall be hearth
/ glad Of it. 1t will add not IA little TO m
= happiness to find those to whom am so neal
!, ly connected pursuing the right walk of lif
ID twill be the sure road to my favor and
those honors and places of profit, which the
:, country can bcstow as merit rarely 20,
"a unrewardcd.
rs am, dear Bushrod,
le your affcctionate uncle,
= GEO. WASHINGTON,