Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-27
ADVICE TO A YOUNG MAN.
a Letter from George Washington TO
His Nephew.

WEST CHESTER, PA, May 22.-The fol-
lowing is a copy of a letter written by
George Washington to his nephew, George
Steptoe Washington, son Of his brother,
Col Samuel Washington. The original is
in the possession OF Mrs. n. Steptoe FL
bridge, of Philadelphia. Mrs. Eldridge
was formerly resident of Virginia and is
| a lineal descendant of Col. Washington.
George Steptoe Washington, to whom the
/ letter is addressed, was one Of the eXecu-
/ tors of the will of the Father Of his Coun-
/ try" He has "A great -grandson-GeDrge
/ SteptOe hngtOn-residing in Phila-
/ delphia. The letter contains some eX-
/ celleut advice, and is one of the few
! private letters OF President Washington
eXtant:
"MOUNT VERNON, 23d March, 1882
"Dedr George: AS it is probable | shall
soon be under the necessity Of quitting
this place and entering once more into the
/ hustle of publick life, in conformity to the
voice of my country and the earnest en-
treaties of my friends, however contrary
/ it is to my own desires or inclnations, |
! think it incumbent on me as your uncle
and friend to give you some advising hints,
which, if properly attended to, will, con-
ceive, be found very useful to you in regu-
lating your conduct and giving you re-
spectaDlity not only at present but
through every period of life.
"YOu have now arrived at that age when
| you must quit the trining amusements of
boy and assume the more dignited
manners of a man. AT this crisis your
conduct will attract the notice of those
/ who are about you, and as the first i'm
I presslons are generally the most lasting.
/ your doings now may mark the leading
traits OF your character through life. 1t
/ is therefore absolutely necessary, If you
mean to make any figure upon the stage
of life, that you should take the first steps
right. What these steps are, and what
general line is to be pursued to lay the
! foundation Of an honorable and happy
progress, is the part of age and experience
to point out. This | shall do as far as in
my power, with the utmost cheeriulness,
and trust that your own good sense VIII
show you the necessity Of following it.
"The first and great object with you at
present is to acquire by industry and ap-
plicatiOn such knowledge as your sltua-
ton enables you to obtain and as will be
useful to you in life. In doing this two
other important objects will be attained
besides the requirement Of knowledge
| namely, a habit of industry and disrelsh
of that prOfusion of money and dissipation
/ Of time which are ever attended upon idle
ness. | do not mean close application to
! your studies; that you should never enter
| into those amusements which are suited 10
! your age and station. They may be made
to 90 hand in hand with each other, and
used in their proper seasons Will be found
to be a mutual assistance to each other.
But what amusements are to be taken
and what is the great matter to be attend
ed to? Your own judgment. with the adj
vice of your real friends, who may have
an opportunity of n personal intercourse
with you, can point out the particular
manner in which you may best spend
your moments of relaxation, much better
than | can at a distance. One thing. how
| ever, ! would strongly impress upon you,
namely, that when you have leisure to go
into company that it always should be of
the best kind that the place you are in will
afford. BY this means you will be con-
| stantly improving your manners and cut
! tivating your mind while you are relaxing
! from your books, and good company will
always be found much less expensive
than bad.
"You cannot offer as an excuse for not
using it that you cannot gain admission
there, or that you have not proper atten-
| ton paid to YOU in it. This is an apOl-
ogy made only by those whose man
ners are disgusting, or whose character is
exceptiOnable, neither of which | hope
will ever be said of you. ! cannot enjoin
| too strongly upon you due observance
Of economy and frugality AS you VIII
know yourself. the present state OF your
property and finances will not admit OF
any unnecessary expense.
''The article of clothing is now one Of
the chief expenses you will incur, and in
this l fear you are not so economical as
you should be. Decency and cleanliness
VIII always be the first objects In the
dress of judiciOus and sensible man. A
conformity to the prevailing fashion in
certain degree is necessary, but 1t does
not follow from thence that a man should
always get a new coat or other clothes
upon every trifling change in the mode,
when perhaps he has two or three very
good ones by him. A person who is anX-
ious TO be leader of the fashion or one of
the first TO follow it will certainly appear
in the eyes of judicious men TO have moth
ing better than a frequent change Of dress
to recommend him TO notice. | would
wish you TO appear sufficiently decent to
entitle you to admission into any COM
pany where you may be. | cannot too
strongly enioin it upon you, and your own
knowledge must convince you Of the truth
of it-that you should be as little eXpen-
sive in this object as you properly can;
you should always keep some clothes 20
wear to church or on particular occasions,
which should not be worn every day. This
can be done without any additional eX-
pense, for whenever it IS necessary to get
new clothes those which have been kept
for particular occasions Will then come in
as everyday clothes, unless they should
be of a superior quality to the new. What
have said with respect 70 clothes will
apply, perhaps, more pointedly 70 Law
renee than TO you. And as you are much
II 10 20 mo 10 of
Judging Of the prOprlety Of what have
observed, you must pay attention to him
in this respect and see that he does
not wear his clothes improperly or eX-
trayagantly.
"Much more might be said TO yOugas a
young man upon the necessity Of paying
a due attention TO the moral virtues; but
this may, perhaps, more properly be the
subject Of a future letter when you are
about to enter into the world. II you
comply with the advice herein given TO
pay a diligent attention 10 your studies
and employ your time Of relaxation in
proper company, you will find but few
opportunities and little inclination while
you continue at an academy 10 enter
those scenes OF vice and dissipation which
too often present themselves 20 youth
in every place and particularly in
towns. II you areidetermined 10 neg
lect your books and plunge into extraya-
gance and dissipation, nothing that
could now say would prevent 1t, for you
must be employed, and If IL is not in pur-