Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-08-13
G55J9J411M G9UJa
Letter of John Randolph of Roanoke.

Written 10 J. X. Bryan, Esq, ~ years
ago, which "imparts lessons of wisdom
which can never cease TO apply TO the
youth Of every age -
LONDON, Dec. %, 1880,
0iy Dear Godson Although | have
90 lately written 10 your better half, and
a, such tedious length, TOO, yet |
canno, relran from the attempt to engralI
an oil head upon young shoulders, not
wlhsl1ndng my belief that no man was
ever the wiser for anolher's experience.
There are too maay who are unable 10
prof by their own witness the game
ser, and the spenAlhGiIt, not TO mention
anorher class Of victims of licentlous pro
pensi.ies matured into habilual indulgence.
Each Of those wretched votarjes of MA
darling vice is more sensible Of the ruin
ous effects Of his folly than any preacher
who eXhorts him against the consequent
ces. lie thai wears The chain best knows
how and where the feuer gals. They
that decIaim against the fixed and rooted
ill-habirs of their neighbor, under the eX
pec,aUon Of reforming him, only sho
that they themselves are coxcom
Rather senenlious and flat This, yUn VII
say. and you Will tell The truth.
Having established yourself in Glou-
cesler, lei me remind you "not TO put off
unil tomorrow what may be done to-
dqv - and "a forfiori," not TO leave ill
next ear what could be done his, 1881.
Plant I'll SORTS of trees. Man and boy /
knew John Lewis for some forty years OF
so, although never was in his house.
Ii is probable he NAV have saved you the
trouble Of rearing orchards. But, be that
as ii nav, fail not TO have good apple
orchard, especially, and banlsh ardent
spirits as beverage from your table. |
have serious fears on this head FOR a GER
tain young 4. If. at
the beginning. YOU are obliged TO resort
TO spiTi,s, let your wife make the punch
or toddy by measure, Of certain strength
never to be increased, according 10 the
good old Virginia fashion.
g. Have no dealing that can possible be
avoided with your neighbors. The disre-
gard of this caution will certainly lead to
squabbles and strife.
g. Take 10 receipts on loose pieces Of
paper. Garry receipt book in your
pocket. and take all receipts in il if yon
are afraid Of losing it, keep it in your
desk, Always have the receipts wlInes-
sed, when practicable.
4. Copy or have copied, all your bil's
in book. so that you may; at glance.
see the cost OF any article or branch Of
expense. Without accurate accounts
you must fill behind hand. What voy-
age would ship make without obserVa-
lion or reckoning You ale now en-
barked upon the voyage Of life, without
good look out you must be cast away.
5. Form no inlimaces with yonr neigh
bOrs under q seven years acqualntance-
"g'h UuH dicipiafur." The rigid obser-
vance Of my own maxims did not prevent
III blood between some of my neighbors
and myself. My maAims preserved me
from strife, and from loss by those.
With the rest was on the best of terms
q. Economy the adapting your sup
plies judiciously to their intended end.
This is a gift of God. Ii canno, be
taught, al least have tried to learn it all
my life, without success. My mother
had it in perfection.
7. Frugsliry :"Non Intelligent hom.
ines guam m0gnum UsctigaL si parsi.
monia." 1t iS n the power Of every
honest man, who means 10 retain his hon.
esty, 10 refrain from induIgng in expen-
sts which lie cannot afford. A disregard
Of This maxim. the result of their indoleni
Ignorance Of their own affairs, has ruined
all my name and race /; they did not know
what they could afford, and some. | fear,
did noi care.
shall send you some acorns Of an oak
IIom Turkey. and also a few English.
Plant them in beds. keep clean. and
transplant at eighteen inches or TWO feet
,nlgh' Hope ,hs. yoa will not forget
O'0'd'nus. English walnuis, (and black i