Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-11-13
oEoRoE WASHINGTON.
IIis Fiftv-seven Ru1es 81 BehaYIor.

HIS Fifty-seven Rules OF BehavIOr.
Through the instruction of his
mother, Washington early became in
terested In matters classed under the
general name of etiquette. His father
was a gentleman of courtly manners,
and his half brothers, Augustine and
Lawrence, had homes in which all the
observances of polite society were
kept. Washin gton, too, was often
visitor at the home Of Hon. William
Fairfax, the m anager of the American
estates of Lord Fairfax after whom
Fairfax County, Virginia, was
named. Youn Washington attended
such schools as the neighborhood af-
forded, but entered early upon bust
ness for himself. He began land sur
veying at sixteen; at nineteen he was
a Major, and at twenty-three a Colonel
upon the staff of Gen. Braddock, and
did much to prevent that officers de-
feat from becoming a slaughter of
every one connected with the COM
mand. Before he was thirteen years
of age Washington had compiled, and
carefully formulated his observations
and teachings into a code of rules,
fifty-seven in number, which iuhu-
enced all his future conduct in his
large intercourse with his fellow-men.
Washington Irving says that @a better
manual of conduct could not De put
into the hands of a youth" Many lads
of this generation will, no doubt, be
glad to place these rules in their scrap
books for study and reference. They
are as follows:
I. Every action in company ought to be with
some sign OF respect to those present
faan1r 9th 11Ny in
speaking jog notsthe desk or table on which
another reads or writes lean not on any one.
3. In the presence OF others, sing not to your
self with humming noise nor drum with
your fingers or feet.
4. Sleep not when others speak; sit not when
others stand; speak not when you should hold
your peace walk not when others stop.
5. Be hatterer neither play with any one
that delights not to be played with.
6. Read no letters, books, or papers In com
pany; but, when there Is necessity Tor doing
1t, you must ask leave. Come not near the
books or writings of any one as to read them,
unless desired, nor give your opinion OF them
unasked; also, look not nigh when another is
writing letter.
7. Let your countenance be pleasant. but in
serious matters somewhat grave.
g. Show not yourself glad at the misfortune
OF another, though he were your enemy.
9. When you meet with one of greater quality
than yourself. stop and retire especially If it be
at door or any strait place, to give way for
10. They that are in dignity or in Office. have
in all places, precedency; but, whilst they
young, they ought to respect those that are their
have no other public charge.
IL. 1t is goodlmanners to prefer them to whom
we speak before ourselves, especially if they be
above US, with whom in no sort we ought to
begin.
u; Let your discourse with men OF business
be short aSld comprehensive.
Is. In visiting the sick do not presently play
the physician If you be not knowing therein.
Il. In writing or speaking give 10 every per-
son his due title. according to his degree and
the custom of the place.
Is. Strive not with your superiors in argu-
ment, but always submit your Judgment TO
16 Undertake not to teach your equal in the
art himself processes; it savors Of arrogance.
II. When a man does all he can, though it
succeeds not well, blame not him that did it.
is. Being to advise or reprehend any ono,
consider whether it ought to be in public or pri-
vate, presently or at some other time, in what
terms to do it, and, in reproVing, show no signs
OF choler, but do it with sweetness and mild
ness.
10. Take all admonitions thankfully in what
time or place so ever given; but afterwaEd. not
to let him know it that gave them
20. Mock 1Sot nor jest at any hing of i'm
portance break no jests that are sharp biting,
and. If you deliver anything witty and pleas
ant abstain from laughing thereat yourself.
able yourself, for example is more prevalent
than precepU5.
%. Use no reproaehfuI language against any
one neither curse reVile.
%. Be not hasty to believe flying reports to
the disparagement OF any.
"A. In your apparel, be modest. and endeavor
to accommodate nature rather than to procure
admiration keep to the fashion of your equals,
times and places.
Is. Play not the peacock, looking everywhere
about you to see if You be we'll decked-if your
shoes MT well, II your stockings set neatly, and
clothes handsomely
70 associate yourself with men OF good
for it is better to be alone than in bad COM
pany.
81. Let your conversation be without malice
or envy, Tor it is sign of tractable and com
mendable nature; and, in all causes Of passion,
admit reason to govern.
%. Be not immodest in urging your friend to
discover a secret.
%. Utter not base and frivolous things among
grave and learned men; nor very difficult ques-
lions or subjects among the ignorant nor things
80. Speak not of doleful things in time of
Inirth' nor at the table; speak not OF melan-
others mention them. change if you can the
alseourse; Tel not your dreams but to your
81. Break not a Jest where none takes pleas
ure IN mirth laugh not aloud, nor at al with
out occasion. Deride mans misfortune.
though there seem to be some cause.
3D. Speak not injurious words, neither in Jest
nor earnest; scoff at none. although they give
occasion.
80. Be not forward. but friendly and court
eousj the hrst to salute, hear and answer and
be not pensive when 1t is time to converse.
81. Detract not from others, neither be ex-
cessiVe in commanding.
30. 20 not th1ther, where you know not
whether you shall be welcome or not. Give not
edy1ce without being asked, and. when desired,
So. If two contend together, take not the part
OF either unconstrafned, and be not obstinate
in your own opinion; in things Indifferent, be
OF the major side.
81. Reprehend not the imperfections of others.
for that belongs to parents, masters and SUI
periors.
80. Gaze not on the marks or blemishes of
| others, and ask not how they came. What YOU
may speak in secret to your friend, deliver not
| before others.
SO. Speak not in an unknown tongue in COM
pany, but m your own language, and that as
| those of quality do, and not as the vulgar /;
| sublime matters treat seriously.
20 Think before you speak, pronounce not
hTi urrda to
hastily, but orderly and distinctly.
| Al. When another speaks. be attentive your
/ self and disturb not the audience If one hest
4 tate In his words help him not nor prompt him
/ without being desired; interrupt him not nor
! answer him till his speech is ended.
~. Treat with men at ut times about bu ST.
rasa and rrIisr,ar not in tlna 49,,