The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-06-18
THE TIME OF LOVERS AT MT. VERNON.

THE TIME OF LOVERS AT MT. VERNON.
From Washington Irving's concluding volume of the
LITE Of Washington in press but not published
r,The place INT. Vernon) at this time Dos
sessed attractions for gay as well as grave,
md was often cnllvened by young Company.
One great attraction was Miss Nelly Curtis.
Mrs. Washngton's grand daughter, who,
with her brother, George ". P. Curtis, had
been adopted by the General at their fathers
death, when they were quito children, and
brought up by him with the most affection
ate care. He was fond of children, espe-
cially girls: as to boys, with all the spirit
Of command he found them at times some
what unmanaseable. | can govern men,
would he say, but l cannot govern boys.
Miss Nelly had grown up under the special
eye Of her grandmother, to whom she was
devotcdly attached, and was particular
in enforcing her observance OF all her les.
sons, as we'll as instructing her in the arts
Of housekeeping. She was n great favorite
with the General, whom, as we have before
observed, she delighted with her gay whims
and sprightiy saliies often overcoming his
habitual gravity, and surprising him into
hearty laugh.
She was now maturing into lovely and
attractive woman, and the attention she
in the Generals mind. This is evinced in
n half sportivc letter Of advice, written to
her during a temporary absence from Mt.
Vernon, when she was about to make her
first appearance at a ball at Georgetown.
1t is curious as specimen Of Washiugton's
counsel in love matters. 1t would appear
that Miss Nelly, to allay her solctudc, had
already. in her correspondence, professei
"a perfect apathy toward the youth of the
present dav, and determination never to
give herself any uneasiness ON account of
any of them" Washington doubted the
irmness aud constancy Of her resolves
"Men and women" writes he, 'feel the same
inclination toward each other no,D that they
have always done. and which they will con-
tnue to do. until there is new order Of
things; and YOU as others have done, may
find that the passions of your sex are easier
rlised than ailaycd. Do not, therefore,
boast too soon, or too strongly of your in
sensibilitv.
Love is said to be an Involuntary passion,
and is, therefore, contendti that it cannot
be resisted.
This is true 10 part only, for like all things
else. when norrished and supplied plentiful
Iy with almcrt, it is rapid IN its progress
but let these be withdrawn, and 1t may be
stided in its birth, or much stintcd in its
Although VIC cannot avoid first impress
sions, We may assuredIy place them under
guard.
When the first is beginning to kindle, and
your heart growing warm PROFOUND these
questions to it: Who is the invader p
Have competent knowledge of him p
Is he man Of good character A man of
sense? For, be assured, 4 sensible woman |
can never be happy with fool. Is his
fortune sufficient to maintain me in the |
manner have been accustomed to live, and |
as my sisters do live? And is he one |
to whom my friends can have no rta'-
enable obiection? If all these interro-
gntores can be satisfactorily answered,
there will remain but one more to be asked;
that, however is an important one: Have !
l sufficient ground to conclude that bis at
fections are engaged by ne! Without this
tho heart of sensIbilty will struggle against
u passion thai is not rcClproclted. !
The sage eounsels of Washington, and
the susceptible feelings Of Miss Nelly were
son fought to the test by tho residence
Of Lawrence Lewis at Mount Vernon. \
strong alta .,..llynt for her grew upon his
part, or perhaps already existed, and WAS
strengthened by daily intercourse. 1t was
favorahlv viewed by his uncle. Whether
it was fully reciprocated was uncertain
4 formidable rival to Lewis appeared in
Young Carroll, Of CarrOlton, who had just
returned from Europe adorned with the
sraces of foreign trnvcl. and whose suit
was countonanceI by Mrs. WashinCton.-
These We're among the poetic days of Mt.
Vernon, when its halls echoed to the tread
OF lovers. They were haIcyon days with
Miss Nelly, as she herself declared in af-
ter years to a lady from whom we have the
story.
II was young AID romantic them said
she, "auI fond Of. wandering ssalone by
moonlight in the woods Of NJ }unt Vernon.
Granamamma thought it was wrong and
unsafe, and scolIel ana c9a2ed me into
promise that would not wander mo the
woods again unlccompane1. But was
missing vnc evening, an! was brought home
from the intcrIictcl woods to the drawing
70 in, Wl"rc the General was walking
up and down with his hands behind him,
rs was h;s wont. GrauImamma, seated
IN her great arm chair, opened severe
rcproOf.
Poor Mss Nelly was reminded Of her
promise, AMI taxed with her delinquency.
She knew that sla had done wrons-ad
mit;cd her fault, AMI ossayed no excuse
but, there WAS slight pause, and Miss
Nelly moved to retire from the room. She
was Just shutting tic door, when she over
hanrd the General attempting, in a low
voice, to incercede in her behalf. My
DEAR" observed he, Il would. say no more:
perhaps she was not aiOne.'
His intcrccssion stopped Miss Nelly in