The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-06-18

The Time ofLsvers nj N onnt Vernon
--Georgc Washington's Advice In
Love Matters.
From Washington Irving's concluding volume Of
ths'life Of Washington, in press, but not pub
lished
The place INT. Vernon) at this time pos
| ssssed attractions for gay as we'll as grave,
| and was often enlivened by young company.
One great attraction was Miss Nelly Custis,
Mrs. Washington's granddaughter, who,
with her brother, Geo. w. P. Custis, had been
adopted by the General at their fathers death,
when they were quite children, and brought
up by him with the most affectionate CARE
He was!fond OF children, especially girls as to
boys, with all the spirit of command, he
found them at times somewhat unmanagea-
BILE. can govern men, would he say, but
cannot govern boys. Miss Nelly had grown
up under the especial eye OF her grandmoth-
or, to whom she was devoutly attached, and
who was particular in enforcing her observ-
ance OF all her lessons, a. well a. instructing
her in the arts Of Housekeeping. She was q
great favorte with the General; whom, as
we have before observed, she delighted with
her gay whims and sprightly sallies, often
overcoming bis habitual gravity, and surpri-
sing him into hearty laugh.
She WAS now maturing into lovely and
attractive woman, and the attention she re-
ceived began to awaken some solicitude in
the Generals mind. This is evinoed in Q
half sportive letter Of advice, written to her
during temporary absence from Mt. Vernon,
when she Was about to make her first appear
ance at ball at Georgetown. 1t is curious
as specimen OF Washington's counsel in
love matters. 1t would appear that Miss
NIL. liar Al ind had al ~ -.
her correspondence, professed "a perfect
apathy toward the youth Of the present. day,
and determination never to give herself any
uneasiness on account OF any Of them."--
Washington doubted the frmness and con-
stancy OF her resolves. "Men and women, !"
writes he, tsfeel the same inclination toward
each other s,osD that they have always done,
and which they will continue to do, until
there is new order Of things and you, "a
others have done, may find that the passions
of your sex are easier raised than allayed.--
DO not, therefore, boast too soon, or toe
strongly Of your insensibility.
| Love is said TO be en- involuntary passion.
and it is, therefore, contended that it cannot
| be resisted.
This is true in part only, for like all thing.
else, when nourished and supplied plentiful
" with aliment, it is rapid in it's progress
but let these be withdrawn, and it may b.
stified in it's birth, or much stintsd in i'll
growth. - Although we oanno
avoid FIRST impressions, we may assured,
place them under guard. Whel
the 6re 10 beginning to kindle, and you
heart growing warm, PROFOUND these ques
tons to it.: Who 10 this invader? Have
competent knowledge Of him? lie he maj
Of good character A man of sense? For
be assured, q sensible woman can never b,
happy with fool. What has been his wall
in life Is his fortune suficien
to maintain me 10 the manner have beer
accustomed to live, and as my sisters d,
live? And is he one to whom my friend
can have no reasonable objection? II oil
these interrogatories oan be sstisfactoril,,
answ cred, there will remain but one more t
be asked; that, however, is an importan
one Have | sufficient ground to conclud
that his affections are engaged by me?-
Without this the heart Of sensibility viii
struggle against passion that is not reciip
rocated.
The sage councils Of Washington and tn
susceptible fcolngs Of Mics Nelly were 500
brought to the test by the residence Of Law
renee Lewis at Mount Vernon. A strong at
tachment for her grew up on his part, or per
haps already existed, and was strengthens,
by daily intercourse. 1t was favorably view
ed by his uncle. Whether it was fully recip
rocased wac uncertain. A formidable riva
to Lewis appeared in young Carroll Of Gar
rolton, who had just returned from Europe
adorned with the graces Of foreign travel
and whose suit was countenanced by Mrs
Washington. These were among the poet
days OF Mount Vernon, when it's halls echoes
to the tread of lovers. They were halcyoI
days with Miss Nelly, as she herself declared
in after years, to q lady from whom We havv
the story: 81 was young and rom .zss'
said she, "And fond OF wandering alone b,
moonlight in the woods OF Mount Vernon
/ Grandmamma thought it was wrong and un
safe, and scolded and coaxed me into prom
Use that | would not wander in the wood
again undccomp0nied. But was missin
: one evening, and was brought home from til
7 interdcted woods to the drawing r. ON
where the General was walking up and dow
with his hands behind him, as was his won,
Grandmamma, seated in her great arm chat
: opened severe reproof.'
Al Poor Miss Nelly was reminded Of hs
: promise, and tasked with her delinquency.
9 She knew that she had done wrong-admi,
|. ted her fault, aud essayed no excuse; blu
: when there was slight pause, moved to r,
( tire from the room. She was just closjn
i the door when she overheard the Geners
attempting, in low voice, to intercede
her behalf.o
''My dear, observed he, 81 would say q
i more perhaps she was not alone"
His intercession stopped Nelly in her RI
i treat. She opened the door and advanced
q the General with firm step. .sSir." sal
q she, "you brought me up to always spes
a the truth, and when told grandmamm
I; that was alone, hope you. believed 70.
:, alone"
]. The General made one Of his most maj
: unanimous bows. "My child" replied he, 6
! beg your pardon"
We will anticipate dates, and obser,
y that the romatic episode of Miss Nelly Gust