New-York tribune., 1841-04-14
GOOD ADVICE FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON TO
BUSHROD WASHINGTON.
NEwrrRcn. January Is. l1SS.


DEAR BrsBRoD: You will be surprised, perhaps,
ceivng letter but ii the end is answered for
which shall not think my misspcnt. Your
father who seems '-''~--~'~ "lh"H ui
you, hope merit of his let
speaks of the difficulty he under make YOU
Whether tins arises from the of his
funds the of your demands. Of
conjecture with hope iris the latter; because
prudence and every other consideration which ought
have weight in reticcng mind opposed to your
qumg than his convenience and regard to his other
children will enable hnn paw and bcase be holds up
idea in the letter which would support rhe conclusion
Yet when take a view of the neXpclicnce OF youth, the
temptations and vices of cities. and the d>irce, which
our Virginia gentlemen driven BY accumulation Of
taxes and the want of 4 market almost inclined
crbc it in part TO both Therefore friend give you the
following advice Let the Object which carried Phla
lcphia be always before Your eyes Remember lat is
NOT the mere study of the law but become eminent the
profession of it, that Weld honor and profit The first
was your choice; let the second be- your ambition Dsspa
ton il Incompatible with both the company in which YOU
will improve will be Least expensive 10 you; and yet
such s:oc suppose that WILL or TO think
right that YOU should always be company with Senator'S
and Philosophers but OF the Juvenile kind let advise yo
be choice 1t easy make acqminances, but very dit
fcu To shake them Off huwcycr rksomc and Improbable
they are found after have committed oarseves
them The nd,crctions which, very often, they nyonarily
lead one INTO prove equally distressing and dsgracetu
Be courteous to all but intimate with few and let those
few be we'll tried before you give them your confidence
True friendship plant of Slow growth and must undergo
and withstand the shocks of adversely before entitled
the nppelIation.
Let your heart feel for the Affections and dsresscs OF every
one and let hand iye in proportion to your purse re-
mcmbcrng always the estimation OF rhe widow mite, but
that it not every who asketh that dcsery charity;
all however, worthy of inquiry, the deserving may
suffer.
Do not conceive that fine clothes make fine men, any
than fine feather, make fine birds. plain, gcneel dress, is
more admired and obtains credit than lace and cmbroi-
lerv in the eyes of the judicious and sensible.
The last thing which shall rneron is first in importance;
and that il TO AVOID GAMING. This i, vice which pro-
uctyc Of every possible evil equally injurious the
ais and health 1t the child of ayarcc the
brother of inquty and the father of mischief 1t has been
the ruin many worthy families the loss OF many mans
honor and the cause suicide To all those who the
lists equally fascinating The successful gamcser pushes
his good fortune ill ii Is overrakcn by The losing
gancstc hopes of retrieving past misfones, goes
from bad to worse till grown desperate he pushes every
thing and loses his all In word, few gam by ri, abomna
bic practice, while thousands are injured.
Perhap- you will say my conduct has anticipated the ad
vice and OF the applies to me. shall be-
heartily glad oft 1t will add little my happiness
find those whom am nearly connected pursuing the
right walk of life twill be road my favor, and
those and places of profit which hel country be-
stow, as merit rarely goes unrewarled.
am 5a,hrod, your aiecionate uncle,
GEORGE WASHINGTON