The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-06-24


George w. p. Curtis, had Lcen adopted by
the General at their fathers death, when
they were quite children, and brought up
by him with the most affc,onate care.
Lie was fond Of children, especially girls;
as to boys, with all his spirit Of command,
he found them at times somewhat unman-
ageabIe. can govern men, would he say,
but cannot govern boys. Miss Nellie had
grown up under the special eye of her
granomother, to whom she was dcvotedly
attached; and who was particular in enforc-
iHg her observance of all her lessons, as
we'll as insttucting her in the arts Of house
keeping. She was great favorite with the
General whom, .as we havefore observed,
she delighted with her whims and spright!y
sallies, often overcoming his hab,ua
gravity, and surprising him into hearty
laugh.
She was now maturing into lovely and
attractive woman, and the attention she re-
ceived began to awaken some soicitude in
the Generals mind. This is cvinccd in a
half sportive letter Of advice written to her
during a temporary absence from Mount
Vernon, when she was about 10 make her
first appearance at ball at Georgetown. 1t
is curious as specimen Of Washngton's S
counsel in love matters. 1t would appear
that Miss Nelly, to allay his soIici,ude, had
already, in her correspondence, pro fesscd
IA perfect apathy toward the youth Of the
present day, and determination never to
give herself moments uneasiness on ac-
count ofany Of them" Washington doubt
ed the firmness Of her resolves. "Nlcn and
women" writes he, "fcel the same inclina.
t'on towards each other no,o that they have
always done, and which they will contin-
ue to do, until there is a new order of things :
and you as others have done, may find that
the passions of your sex are easier raised
than allayed. DO not, therefore, boast too
soon, nor too strongly Of your inscnsibility'
Love is said to be an invol-
untary passion, and it is, therefore, contend
ed that it cannot he resisted. This is true
in part only, for like all things else, when
nourshed and supplied plent:fully with ali,
ment, it is rapid in its progress but le,
these be Withdrawn, and it may be stifed
in its birth, or much stinted in its growth
Although we cannot avoid
first impressions, We may assuredly place
them under guard. When the
fire is beginning to kindle, and your heart
grows warm PROFOUND these questions to it,
Who is this invader? Have 7 a com.
petent knowledge ofhim! Is he man OF
good character? a man Of sense! For,
be assured, sensible woman can mover be
happy with fool. What has been his
walk in life? Is bis fortune
sufficient to maintain me in tho manner |
have been accustomed to live, and as my sis
ters do live? And is he one to whom nv
friends can have no reasonable objcction 2
If all these interrogatories can be satisfacto
rily answered, there will remain but one
more to be asked; that, however, is an i'm
portant one. Have I sufficient ground te
conclude that his affection are engaged BY
me2 Without this the heart of sensibilit,
will struggle against a passion that is no
reciprocated."
The sage counsels Of Washington ane
the susceptible feelings Of Miss Nelly were
soon brought to the tast by the residence o.
Lawrence Lewis at Mount Vernon.
strong attachment for her grew up on hi
part, or perhaps already existed, and was
strengthened by daily intercourse. 1t wa
favorabIy viewed by his uncle. Whethe
it was fully reciprocated was uncertain. 4
formidable rival to Lewis appeared in tb
young Carroll of Carrolton, who had jus
returned from Europe, adorned with tn
graces Of foreign travel, and whose sui
was counteDanced by Mrs. Washington
These were among the poetic days of Noun
Vernon, when It's halls echoed to the treat
Of lovers. They were halcyon days witt
Miss Nelly, as she herself declared, in afte
years, to lady from whom we have the
story: Il was young and romantic .hen,
said she, "and fond Of wandering by moon
light in the woods of Mount Vernon
Grandmama thought it wrong and unsafe
and scolded and coaxed me into promis
that l would not wander in the woods sgai
unacccmpanied. But WAS missing on
evening, and was brought home from th
interdicted woods to the drawing. room
where the General was walking up ap
down with his hands behind him, as wa
his wont. Grandmama seated in her grea
armchair. opened a severe reproof."
Poor Miss Nelly was reminded of he
promise, and taxed with her delinquenc,
Cha bpau tbok ILL., l.l 49,.