Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-05-23
LETTER OF GEN. WASHINGTON'S.
From the Fredericksburg Herald.

The following is copy Of letter from Gen.
Washington to his nephew, which has never
before been published. 1t contains most ex
cellent advice, and will be read with great in-
terest, as everything is, which has come from
the pen of that immortal man. The original
is 10 the haods of Mr.. VIM. L. Washington,
great nephew Of the General now living near
Fredericksburg
MOUNT VERNON, 23d March, 1889.
Dear George AS it is probable [ shall soon
be uuder the necessity of quitting this place,
and euterlog once more into the hustle of pub
lick life in conformity to the voice of my coun-
try, and the earnest entreaties of my friends,
however contrary it is to my own desires or in-
cllnations; thiok it incumbent Oh me as your
uuce and frieud, to give you some advisory
hints, which, if properly attended to, will, l.
conceive, be found very useful to you in regu-
latlug your conduct and giving you respecta-
bility, not only at present. but through every
period of life.
You have now arrived to that age when you
must quit the trlhing amEsemeuts of boy,
and assume the more dignifed manners Of a
man. At this crisis your conduct will attract
the notice of those who are about You; and as
the first impressions are generally the most
lasting, your doings now may mark the lead
iug traits of character through lille.
Ii is therefore absolutely necessary, if you
mean to make any figure upon the stage, that
you should take the first steps right. What
these Steps are, aud what general line is to be
pursued TO lay the foundation of an honorable
aud happy progress, Is the part OF age and ex
D, rieuce TO point out. This | shall do, as far
as is 10 my power, with the utmost cheerfulness;
aud | trust that your own good sense will show
you tie necessity of following it,
Tho frst up1 uroat nhiaot NTH Won at praS.
eut is TO acquire, by industry and application,
such knowledge as your situation enables yuu
to obtain, and as will be useful to you in life.
la doing this TWO other important objects
will be gained besides the acquisition of knowl
edge. namely: A habit OF industry and dis
relish of that protuslon ofmoney and dlsslpa-
,iou OF time which are ever attendant upon
idIeDess | do not mean by close application
to your studies that you should never enter in
10 those amusements which are suited TO your
age and station They may be made to 60 hand
in hand with each other, and used in their
PROPER seasons, will ever be found to be mu-
tuaI assistance to each other. But what amuse-
mcuts are to be taken, and when is the great
matter to be attended to? Your own Judge
meut, with the advice Of your real friends who
may have an opportunity of a personal inter-
course with you, can point out the particular
maoner in which you may best spend your mo-
meuts Of relaxation much better than can at
i distance.
One thing, however, [ would strongly im-
press upon you, VIZ: that when you have leiz-
ure to 70 into company that it should always
b. of the best kind that the place you are 10
will afford; by this means you will be constant
ly improving your manners, aud cultlvanng
YOU mind, while you are relaxing from your
books; and good company will always be found
less expensive than bad.
You cannot offer, as au excuse for not using
it, that you cannot gain admission there, or
that you have not a proper attention paid you
III ii; this Is an apology made only by those
whose manners are disgusting or whose charac-
ter is exccplionable; neither of which L hope
will ever be said of you. cannot enjoin too
strongly upon you due observance OF economy
and frugality, as you we'll know yourself the
present state Of your property and finances
will not admit OF any unnecessary expense.
The article OF clothiug is now one of the
chief expenses you will incur and 10 this, l
fear you are not so economical as you should
BE-. Dccency aud cleanliness will always be
the first objects in the dress of judcious,
sensible man. A conformity to the prevailing
fashion in a certain degree Is necessary; but II
docs uot follow from thence, that man should
always get new coat or other clothes upon
every trihug change in the mode when, per-
haps. he has two or three very good ones by
him. \ person who is anxious to be a leader
Of the fashion, or one of the first to follow 1t,
will certainly appear in the eyes OF judlclous
men to have nothing better than frequent
change Of dress to recommend him to notice.
would always wish you to appear sufficiently
deceut to entitle you to admission iuto any
company where you may be; but l caonOt too
;n,,, .,pI npp Ennu
ledge must convince you OF the truth Oft, that
you should be as little expensive in this respect
as you properly can; YOU should always
keep some clothes to wear to church, or
ou particular OCCASIONS which should not be
Worn every day. This can be done without any
additional expense, for whenever it is neces-
sary to get new clothes those which have been
kept for particular occasions will then come 10
as every day ones, unless they should be of q
superior quality to the new. What | have said
with respect to clothes will apply perhaps more
poutcdly TO Lawrence than to you, and as you
ase much older than he is, and more capable
0tu igiug Of the propriety Of what have here
Observed, you must pay attention to him 10
this respect, aud see that be does not wear his
Clothes improperly or eXtravagantly.
Much more might be said to you as young
Mau, upon the necessity of paying due atten-
j H0n to the moral virtues; but this may, per-
4 Gaps, more properly be the subject Of future
N'ter, when you are about to enter into the
world. If you comply with the advice herein
i gwen, to pay dilligent attention to your stud
les and empoy your time of relaxation in
proper company, you will find but few oppor-
,aOAleS, aud little inclination, while you con-
nuue at ap Academy, to enter into those scenes
" HssNnd dissipation which too often present
Me1lsseS @ to youth in every place and par
,su, "suIstI III towns. Ii you are determined to
uss'ect your books and plunge into extrava-
s'uce aud dissipation, nothing that l could
n" nSS say would prevent it, for you must be EN-
pOssa, nv and if 10 pursuit OF those y.
eu'a0,e' are 1t must be in pursuit Of those which
81 son ASyGur Ss, time of continuing with MIR. Han.
I INV una' VIII expire the last of this month and
"A IIvtSIand noIan that 'Dr. Craik has expressed an
viii IOsUon ~ to take You and Lawrence TO board
81 WI ulln, shall knnyp rho ,}otormipatio ra-