Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-24
THE GAZETTE.
TUESDAY MORNING. MAY -. 1889.

From Washington lrvug's concluding volume "i
the Life vi Washington, III press, but not pub
hshed.
The rla.. Mt. Nerncn) at this time pos
sessed attractions for gay as well as grave,
and was often enlyened by young company.
One great attraction was Miss Nelly Custis,
Mrs. Washington grand daughter, who with
her brother, George W. p Gusts, had been
adopted by the General at their fathers
death. when they were quite children, and
brought up by him with the most affection
ate care. lie was fond of children, especial
" girls; as to boys. with all the spirit Of
command, he found them at times somewhat
unmanageable. i can govern men, would
lac say. but | cannot govern boys. Miss
Nelly had grown up under the special eye of
her grandmother. to whom she was devoted
" attached and who was particular in en-
forcing her observance of all her lessons,
housekeeping She was great iavorite
with the General; whom. rs We have before
observed, she delighted with her gay whims
and sprightly sallies, often overcoming his
habtual gravity. and surprising him into IA
hearty laugh.
She was now maturing into lovely and
attractive woman, and the attention she
received began to awaken some solicitude in
the Generals mind. This is evinced in a
half sportive letter of advice, written to her
during temporary absence from Mount
Vernon when she was about tG make her
first appearance at a ball at Georgetown.-
tits curious as specimen Of Washington's
counsel in love matters 1t would appear
that Miss Nelly to allay his solctude, had al
ready, in her correspondence. protessed "a
perfect apathy toward the youth Of the present
day, and determination never to give herself
IA moments uneasiness on account any of
them" Washington doubted the frmness
and constancy of her resolves. "Men and
women" writes he, "feel the same inclina-
ton toward each other noe. that they have al
ways done, and which they will continue 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 raised than
allayed. DO not, therefore. boast too soon,
or too strongly of your insensibility.
Love is said to be an in
voluntary passion, and it is, therefore. con-
tended that it cannot be resisted. This is
true in part only, for like all things else,
when nourished and supplied plentifully
with aliment, it is rapid in its progress,
but let these be withdrawn, and it may be
sttled in its birth or much stinted in its
growth. Although
we cannot avoid first Impressions We may AS
suredly place them under guard. \
\ When the fire is beginning to kindle, and
Your heart growing warm, propoand these
questions toit: Who is this invader? Have
| a competent knowledge of him? Is he n
man Of good character? \ man ofsense?-
For. be assured, sensible woman can new
er be happy with fool: What has been
his walk in life? Is his
fortune sufficient to maintain me in the man
ner have been accustomed to live, and as
nv sisters do live2 And ishe one to whom
my friends can have no reasonable oblec-
ton? If all these interrogatories can be sat
isfactorily answered. there will remain but
one more to be asked; that, however, is an
important, one: Have | sufficient ground
to conclude that his affections are engaged
hy me? Without this the heart of sensi-
bility will struggle against passion that is
not reciprocated."
The sage counsels of Washington and the
susceptible feelings of Miss Nelly were soon
broush 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
perhaps already existed, and was strengthen
ed by daily intercourse. 1t was tavOrably
viewed by his uncle Whether it was fully
reciprocated was uncertain. formidable
rival to Lewis appeared in young Carroll OF
Carrolton, who had Just returned from Europe
adorned with the graccs oftoreign travel, and
whose suit was countenanced by Mrs. Wash
incton. These were among the poetic days OF
Mount Vernon, when it's halls echoed to the
tread of lovers. They were halcyon days
with Miss Nelly, as she herself declared IN
after years. to a lady from whom we have
the story: 81 was young and romantic then,
said she, "and fond of wandering alone by
moonlight in the woods of Mount Vernon
Grandmamma thought it wrong and unsafe
and scolded and coaxed me into promise
that would not wander in the woods again
uaQccompanied. But was missing one even,
ing, and brought home from the lnterdlcted
woods to the drawing-room. where the Gen
eral was walking up and down With his
hands behind him, as was his wont. Grand
mamma seated in her great armchair, open
ed a severe reprOof.
Poor Miss Nelly was reminded Of her pro-
mise, and taxed with her delinquency. She
knew that she had done wrong-admitted
her fault, and eSsayed no excuse; but when
there was slight pause, moved to retire
from the room. She was just shutting the
door when she overheard the General attemp-
ting in a low voice, to intercede in her behalf
INV DEAR" observed he, 81 would say no
more-perhaps she was not alone"
His intercession stopped Miss Nelly IN
her retreat She reopened the door and adj
vanced up to the General with Il firm step.
Sir" said she, "you brought me up to
speak the truth, and when told grandmam-
ma was alone, hope you believed ] ~ds
aiORs"
The General made one ofhis most magnanl-
mous bows. MY child" replied ne, Il beg
your pardon"
We will anticipate dates, and observe that
The romantic episode of Miss Nelly GUSTS
terminated to the Generals satisfaction
she became the happy wife of Lawrence Lewis.
CAUTI0N.-We beg leave to caution pureha-
scrs of our choice OLD M0NONGAHELA
WHISTLES against the deception and petty fraud
which is practiced by certain parties in this city
and in Baltimore, who have appropriated to them,
selves exact copies of the Star Brands. ling "'ed
and de.ianed by us to distinguish our Old "hiskeys.
We can assure our friends and customers, that the
unrivalcd quality. everywhere acknowledged, oi