Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-12-24
( Great Mans Advice to a Young
Lady,

1t was in the year 1903, long before the
war of Independence, that Colonel Wash
ington, as he who was to be the founder
! of the American Republic was then called,
crossing on business ferry of Pamunka
branch of the York River, was stopped
| by request to partake of the hospitalities
OF Mr.. Chamberlayne, the owner of a
domain in Virginia. Amphitryon would
take no denial; urging among other temp
tations, that he would introduce his friend
to charming widow, then beneath his
roof This was Mrs. Custis (nee Dam
dridge) aged twenty-six, who had mar
ried a gentleman who was both Colonel
and an eminently successful painter. By
his premature death, Mrs. Custis found
herself very young widow, and among
the wealthiest in the Colony" .ae +
Col. Washington came to dine, and re-
manned to WOO. He was fascinated by the
widow, and marrying her, lived never to
repent the step, The new Mrs. Wash
ington had step-son-Mr. George Wash
ington Parke Custis-is the author OF
certain Memoirs" of the great man, just
issued, and he and his sister were adopted
by Washington. This young lady, Nelly
Custis, when sixteen, and after her first
ball, had told her revered guardian that
she cared nothing for the youth of the
present day" The sound and sensible
advice then given by Washington, at that
time President of the United States, to
his adopted daughter, is of universal ap=
plication to those who, as she then was,
are unengaged. .r .r -.
Love is said to be an involuntary pas
sion, and it is therefore contented that it
cannot be resisted. This is true in part
only, for like all things else, when nour-
ished and supplied plentifully with
aliment, it is rapid in its progress: but let
these. be withdrawn, and it may be stiied
in its birth, or much stinted in its growth.
For example, a woman, (tEe same may
be said of the other sex) all beautiful and
accomplished, will, while her hand and
heart are undisposed of, turn the heads.
and set the circle in which she moves on
fire. Let her marry, and what is the
consequence! The madness ceases and !
all is quiet again. Why? Not because |
there is any dimunition 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 guild |
ance of reason: for although we cannot |
avoid first impressions, we may assuredly |
place them under guard; and my motives
for treating on the subject are to show
you that while you remain Eleanor Parke |
Gusts, spinster, and retain the resolution |
to love with moderalion-the propriety |
of adhering to the latter resolution, at
least until you have secured your game,
and the way by which it may accomplish
ed.
When the fire is beginning to kindle.
and your heart growing warm, PROFOUND |
these questions to it, Who is the inva-
der2 Have l competent knowledge of
him? Is he a man of good character? |
man of sense? For, be assured, sensible |
woman can never be happy with fool |
What has been his walk of Iife?' Is he
a gambler, a spendthrift, or drunkard? |
Is his fortune sufficient to maintain me in |
the manner | have been accustomed to
live, and my sisters do live; and is he one
TO whom my friends can have no reason
able objectionp If these interrogations
can be satisfactorily answered, there will
be but one more to be asked. That, how
ever, is an important one. Have / suf-
fcient ground to conclude that his affec-
tions are engaged by me?' Without this,
the heart of sensibilitiy will struggle
against passion that is not reciprocated
-delicacy, custom, or call it by any epi-
thet that you VIII, having precluded all
advances on your part The declaration,
without the most indirect invitation by
yours, must proceed firm the gentleman.
to render it permanent and valuable; and
nothing short of good sense and an easy,
conduct can draw the line be-
tween prudery and coquetry. 1t would
be no great departure from the truth to
say that it rarely happens otherwise than
that thoroughly bred coquette dies in
as punishment for her attempts
to mislead others by encouraging looks,
words. or actions, given for no other pur- (
pose than to draw men on to make oyer
lures that may be rejected" I,