The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-05-25
THE TINE OF LOVERS AT MOUNT VERNON
GEORGE wAsHINGroN's ADVICE IN LOVE
MATTERS.

OFrom Washington Living. concluding volume Of
the Lite of Washinton." in press, but not pub
lishcd)
The place mt. veruon) a.sthis time possessed
attractions for gay we'll grave, and WAS often
eulivened by young company. 0ae great attrac-
ton was Miss Nelly Clstis, Mrs. Washington
grand daughter, who, with her brother, George
W. P. Gusts, had bcen adopted by the General at
their fathers death, when they were quite chill
dren, and brough, up By him with the most affec-
tionate care. He was fond OF children, especially
girls; as 20 boys, with all the spirit OF command
he found them at times souiewhpt upmsnageable
can govern men, would he say, but cannot gov
ern boys Miss Nelly had grown up under the
special eye of her grandmother, to whom she was
devotedly attached, and who was particular in en-
forcing her observance0f all her lessons. as we'll
She wssa great favorite with the General; whom
as We have before observed, she delighted with
her gay whims and sprightiy saHes, often over
coming his habitual gravity, and surprising him
into o hearty laugh.
she wa. nov maturing into a lovely and at.
trsctive woman, and the attention she receive be
gan to awaken some solicitude in the Generals
mind This is eviDced in q halt sportive letter OF
advice, written 10 her during temporary absence
from Mount Vernon, when she was ABOUT TO maze
her first appearance at ball at Georgetown. 1t
is curious as a specimen Of Washugton's counsel
10 love matters. II would appear that Miss Nelly,
to allsy his sociude, had already, in her cores
pondenca, PROPOSED - perfect apathy toward the
youth Of the resent day. aad deter minatio never
TO give herself any uneasiuess account Of any OF
them" Washington doubted the firmness and
copstancy of her resolves. "Men and women."
writes he, feel the same inclination toward each
other now tina: they have always DONE and which
they will continue to d. until there is new order
of thipgs; and you, as others have done, may I'D
that the passions Of your sex are easier raised
than allayed Do not, therefore, boast too soon or
too strongly Of your iuseusibility.
Love is said to be an involuntary passion aud it lie,
therefore contended that it cannot be resisted.
"rhis Is true in part only, for like all things else
when nourished and supplied plentiully with
aliment, it is rapid in its progress but let these
be withdrawn and it may be stuffed in its birth,
or much stinted in it's growth. = Although
We cannot avoid first impressonswe may assured'
~ place them under guard. When tho
first IL beginning to kindle, and your heart grow
ing warm, PROFOUND these questions to it: Who
is the invaderf Have | a competent knowledge
of him, Is he man OF good character! mau
OF seuse2 For, be assured, a sensible woman can
never be happy with fool. What has been bis
walk in life! Is his fortune sufficient to
maintain me in the manner have been accus'
toned to live, aud as my sisters do live! And Is
he Que to whom my friends can have 30 reasonable
objectioa! If all these interrogstories be
ssts fsctorily answered, there will remain but one
more to be asked: that, however, is au important
one. Have sufficient ground TO conclude that biz
affections engaged b. me! without this, the
heart of sensibiiity will struggle against a pas
sion that 10 not reciprocsted."
The sage counsel. Of Washington and the sus-
cep;ible feelings of Miss Nelly were soou brought
TO the test by the residence of Lawrence Lewis at
Mount Vernon. A strong attachment for her grew
mp on his part, or perhaps already existed, and
was strengthened by daily intercourse. 1t wa'
favorabiy viewed by his uncle. Whether 1t wat
fully reciprocsted was uncertain. formidable
rival to Lewis appeared 10 young Carroll of Car
rollton, who had just returned from Europe
adorned with the graces of foreign travel, and
whose suit was countenauced by Mrs. Washington
These we're among the poetic days of Mt. Vernon
when ita haiIA aohOpd a the tread of fOyer6 They
were haIcyou days with Miss Nelly, and as she
herself declared in after years to lady from
whom we have the story: Il was young and ros
mantle then" said she, 'and fond of wandering
alone by moonlight in the woods of Mount Yer.
non. Grandmamma thought 1t was wrong aud
unsafe, and scolded and coaXed me into a promise
that / would not wander 10 the woods again ua-
accompanied. But was missing one evening. AND
was brought home from the interdcted woods &c
the drawing room, where the general was walk
ing up aud down with his hands behind him, a,
was his wont. Graudm ANNA, seated in her great
arm chair, opened a severe reproot
Poor Miss Nelly was reminded of her promise
and taxed with her delinquency. She knew tina
she had done wrong-admistod hsr fault, and es.
sayed no excuse, but, when there was sligh
pause, moved to retire from the room. She wal
just shutting the door when she overheard tht
General attempting, in low voice, to intsrcede IL
her behalf "My DEAR" observed he, 81 would SAL
NO more; perhaps she was not aleDe''
His intercession stopped Miss Nelly In her re
treat. She re opened the door and advanced to tn
General with firm STEP "Sir," said she, "yo'
brought me up to speak the truth, and when tol'
grandmamma was alone, hope you believed
sods alone }"
The General made one of his most maganimou
bows. "My child" replied he, Il beg your par
don"
We will anticipate dates, aud observe that th
romantic episode of Miss Nelly Gusts terminate
to the GsDerais-satisfactio ion she baoene the hap
py wife of Lawrence Lewis.