Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-04-19
Letter of John Randolph, Of Roam
Olxp

Oke.
We copy, from the Washington Sentinel,
the following letter Of John Randolph OF
Roanoke, written to j. R. Bryan, ESQ, %
yeaIs ago, which "imparts lessons of wis
dom which can never cease to apply to the
youth of every age.'
LONDON December %. 1880.
NM Dear Godson Although | have so
lately written to your better half, and at
such tedious length, loo, yet ] cannot refrain
from the attempt to engralt an old head
upon young shoulders, notwithstanding my
belief that no man was ever the wiser for
anothers experience. There are too
manv who are unable to profit by their own;
witness the gamester, and the spendthriit,
not to mention another class of victims of
lIcentions propensltles matured into habltual
indulgence. Each of those wretched vota-
lies ol his darling vice is more sensible of
the rulnous effects Of his folly than any
preacher who exhorts him against the con-
sequences. He tina. wears the chain. best
knows how & where the fetter gals. They
who declaim against the fixed and rooted
il-habits other neigLbor under the expec-
tatlor of reforming him, only show that
they themselves are coxcombs. Rather
sententous and flat this, you will say and
you will tell the truth.
Having established yourselfin Gloucester,
let me remind you "not to put off until to
morrow what may be done to-day; and "d
foriiori," not to leave hl next year what
could be done this, 1881. Plant all sorts
of trees. Man and boy knew John Lewis
for some forty years or so, although never
was in his house. 1t is probable he may
have saved you the trouble of rearing or
chards. But, be that as it may, fail not to
have good apple orchard, especially and
Danish ardent spirits as beverage from
your table. have serious fears on tins
head for certain young
=. If at the beginning you are Obliged tc
resort to spirits let your wife make the punch
or toddy by measure, of certain strength
never to be increased, according to the good
old Virginia fashion.
Q. Have no dealing, that can possibly be
avoided with your neigh5ors. The dIsre'
gard of this caution will certainly lead tc
squabbles and strife.
8. Take no receipts on loose pieces o
paper. Garry receipt book i'll your pork'
ct, and take all receipts in it; If you are
afraid OF losing it, keeprt in your desk
Always have the receipts witnessed, where
practicable.
4. Copy or have copied all your bills IN
book SO that you may at 6 ance see the
cost of any article Or branch OF expense
Without accurate accounts you must ialI
behind.hand. What voyage would ship
make without observation or reckoning
You are now embarked on the voyage OF
life; without good look out you must be
cast away.
s. Form no intimaces with your neigh
bors under seven years acquaintance
'qui puit decipiatw." The rigid observance
of my own maxims did not prevent i'll blood
between some OF my neighbors and myself.
My maxims preserved me from strife, and
from loss by those. With the rest | was
on the best of terms
6. Economy: the adapting your supplies
iud;ciously to their intended end. This Is
gilt of God. 1t cannot be taught, at least
have tried TO learn it all my life, without
success. My mother had it in perfection.
7. Frugality :'.Non Intelligent homin's qnas
magnum reciigaI sit parSimonia.' 1t Is IN the
power of every honest man, who means to
retain his honesty, TO refrain from lndulg-
ing in expenses which he cannot afford
A disregard of this maxim, the resultot their
indoent ignorance of their own affairs, has
ruined all my name and race they did not
know what they could afford, and some.
fear did not care.
shall send you some acorns of an oak
from Turkey, and also few English
Plant them in beds, keep clean, and trans
plant at eighteen inches or two feet high.
hope that you will not forget broad nuts,
English walnuts, (and black walnuts too }
fberts haze-nuts, and chestnuts, | will
bring or send you. | saw trees OF this sort
planted about century ago at Houghtol.
Hall, by the great Sir R. WaIpole, from two
or three feet in diameter. This wash Au-
gust 1926. They afford noble shade as
well as valuable fruit
Get Cobbett's American Gardener. Ii
can be had at Pishey Thompson's, in Wash
ington. Spare no expense or labor Tor good
enclosures and tight, warm house. The
parsimony preach up does not extend to
the exclusion of comforts. | hope never
to see fire place in your house without
shovel and tongs and fender, nor with bro
ken windows. When was on visit to
poor B. he had eight or ten sponglng visitors
and their horses and it was with difficulty
that could get basin or towel even the
most necessary article IN bed chamber
was missing. do not mean the bed, Tor
there was one, although most uncomfortable.
No; furnish your rooms well, however
plainly. It's first expense for your whole
life. Plate and china, and glass, you will
have no occasion 10 buy.
shall probably never see how You and
nv darling niece succeed as houseketpers.
Daily and every day find that | am sink
ing. To be laid by the side ofmy honored
parents at old Matoax, Is now The only
wish that have personally to myself No
tombstone, no monument for me. Let
"spring with dewy fingers cold" dress the
turf that shall cover my no longer feverish
head or throbbng heart. If there be any
memorial ofme. letit be plain head stone
with this inscription John Randolph,
of Roanoke, son of John Randolph of
Roanoke, the elder, and Frances Bland, his
wife, an stepson of Virginia, born June 2d
1773 died 1881. Beyond
this last period feel thatt is impossible,
short of miracle, for my existence to be
prolonged. Thy will be DONE
am now close ly confined to my apart
ment, with faithful Johns aid. / have all
the comforts that am now capable Of en-
loving my life hangs upon his.
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