Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1860-09-29
CONTROL THE AFFECTIONS.
A GREAT MANS ADVICE TO A YOUNG LADY.

1t was in the year 175s, long before the
War of Independence, that Colonel Wash
ington--as he who was to become the foun-
der of the American Republic was then
called - crossing on military business fer
ry of "Pamunkoy, ii branch of the York
Riyer,' was stopped by a request to par.
take of the hospitality of Mr. Chamber
layuc, the owner of domain in Virginia,
where the coloncls name was honored -
The strict Washington insisted on press.
ing forward, but the Virginia Amphitryon
would take no denial, urging, among other
temptations, that he would introduce his
friend to young and charming widow,
then beneath his roof This was Mrs.
Gusts, (ncc Dandridgc,) aged twenty-six,
who had married gentleman who was
both colonel and an eminently successful
planter. BY his premature death Mrs.
Gusts "found herself at once very young
and among the very wcalthiest widows in
the colony"
Col. Washington came to dine and re.
nained to WOO He was facinated by the
widow, md marrying her, never lived to
repen, the step, The new Mrs. Washing
tou had step-scn, whose son, Mr.. George
Washington Parkc Gusts, is the author of
certain "Memoirs" of the great man, just
issued and he and his sister were adopted
by Washington. This young lady, "Ncl.
ly Custis," when sixtcnn, ,and after her first
ball, had told her revered guardian that
she cared nothing for "thc youth OF the
present day" The sound and sensible
advice then given by Washington, at that
time President of the Unitad States, to his
adopted daughter, is of universal appllca.
ton to those who, as she then was, are un-
engaged
Glove is said to be an involuntary pas
sion, and it is therefore. contcnded that it
cannot be resisted. This is true in part
only for like all things else when nourshed
and supplied plentifully with alimcnt, it is
rapid in its progress; but let these be with
drawn and it may be stifed in its birth or
much stintcd in its growth. For example,
a woman, (the same may be said of the
other sex all beautiful and accomplished
will, while her hand and heart are undis-
posed of, turn the heads and set the circle
around on fire. Let her marry, and
what is the consequence The madness
cea'eS, and all quiet again. Why? Not
because there is any diminution in the
charms of the lady, but because there is an
end of hope. Hence it follows that love
may, and therefore ought to be, under the
guidance of reason; for although we can
not avoid first impressions, we may as
surcdly place them under guard and my
motives for treating Oh the subject are to
show you-whilc you remain Eleanor
Parke Custis, spinster, and retain the res
olution to love with ation-the pro.
priety of adhering to the latter resolutions,
at least until you have secured your game
and the way by which it may be accom-
pli,hed.
"When the fire is beginning to kindlc,
and your heart growing warm, PROFOUND
these questions to it Who is invader -
Have l competent knowledge of him -
Is he a man of good character, a man of
sense ? For, be assured, sensible wo-
man can never be happy with fool
What has been his walk of life Is he a
gambler, a spendthrift, or drunkard -
Is his fortune sufficient to maintain me in
he manner | have been accustomed to live
md my sisters do live, and is he one to
whom my friends can have no reasonable
objection ! If these interrogations can be
satisfactorily answered, there will remain
,ut one more to be asked. That however
5 an important one Have l sufficient
ground to conclude that his affections are
ugaged by me Without this the heart
If scnsibilty will struggle against pass
on that is not reciprocated dclicacy, Gus
ON, Or call it by what epithet you will,
aying precluded all advances on your
art, The declaration, without the most
Indirect invitation of yours, must proceed
rom the man to render it permanent and
aluable and nothing short of good sense
nd an easy unaffected conduct can draw
he line between prudury and coquctry.-
t would be no great departure from the
ruth to say that it rarely happens other
rise than that thorough placed coquette
les in celbacy, as punishment for her
Itempts to mislead others, by encouraging
ooks, words, or actions given for no other
urpose than to draw men on to make
ventures that they may be rejected"