Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-18
WASHINGTON ON EDUCATING YOUTH.

WASHINGTON ON EDUCATING YOUTH.
An unpublished Letter Giving His Views
Upon . Gentieman's Cultivation.
Prom the Athen~um
Twice Washington had TO provide for the
training and education Of youth. Having mar
ried the widow Gusts he adopted her only son.
John Gusts. whom he confded to the care Of
the Rev. Jonathan Boucher. Mr.. Frederick
Loeker-Lampson, grandson Of Jonathan
Boucher, possesses . number Of washington's
letters to that clergyman. washingson's letters
show his ideal Of q cultivated gentleman (it was
before the revolution) to be one who knows
some little Greek and Latin and has q thorough
knowledge Of "Arithmetick." He IL very par
ticular to have the youth taught TO dance
wen, and he must know French perfectly,
ignorance of that language having been the de-
rect In Washington's own education which he
ieit most deeply through his entire career,
which, indeed. caused the breaking up Of his
cabinet IN 1875, when . fictitious translation of
French dispatch led to the fall Of Randolph,
ms Secretary OF State. Tho study Of seome-
Try, he writes Boucher. "snd the msthe-
equally advantageous. The principles Of philo.-
osphy, mora natural, &C, should think .
very desirable knowledge for . gentleman"
houng Gusts was at this time seventeen.
Two yesrr later, as the general was considering
TO what college he should be sent the youth
settled the question by marrying Eleanor CAL
vert, aged sixteen, whose proximity to Mr.
souchers house in Annapolis Maryland may
explain the clergymans poor success in trying
70 make the generals adopted con q scholar
John Custis died at twenty -seven Of camp fever
caught at Yorktown, Va, where he was WASH
ington's aide during the siege Of Cornwsllis
he left son, George Washington Parke Gus
ts, for whom the general hoped 70 do what be
would fsin have done for the father. Al the
age OF seventeen this youth was at college in
Annapolis, and IL il amusing to observe how
anxious the general had become about the
young ladies' of that town. The name Of the
teacher TO whom the letter wns addressed does
not appear.
MouSr VERNON. ID. Sep. 1873.
Sin: Your favour Of the 18th ulto with the &C.
counts came duly to hand, and l thank you for
the trouble you have had in paving and taking
receipts therefor. The balance OF II, Is, sid
may, II you please. be given to Mr.. Custis.
IL was my intention to have written fully to
you by the return of this young Gentleman to
College, but the debilitated state into which
have been thrown by fever, with which was
seized on the 18th, and could procure no re-
mission OF until the 25th past rendered writ
ing equally irksome and improper. We're the
case otherwise L should, 1 confess. be at loss
70 point out any precise course Of study for Mr..
Gusts lsic.l Ny views with respect to him
have already been made known to you. and
therefore II is not necessary to repeat them on
tins occasion-but il 10 not merely what the
best course Is for him to pursue that require
consideration, but such an one as he can be
Induced to pursue, and will contribute TO
his improvement and the objects in view
In directing the frst to the subjects gentle
man OF your literature. discernment and knowl-
edge OF the world would be at no loss without
any suggestion OF mine if there good &
disposition to receive as there are talent to az
quire knowledge; but as there seems to be in
this youth an unconquerable Incidence of tenn
per, disinclination in fact to all study il must
rest with you to lead him in the best manner
and by the easiest modes you can devise to the
study OF such useful requirements as may be
| serviceable to himself and eventually beneficial
to his country hereafter.
French. from having become in Q manner
the universal language, l wished him 10 be
master OF, but do not find from enquiry that
he has made much progress in the study of it,
Some OF the practical branches Of mathemat-
les, particularly surveying, he ought, possess
ing good deal OF landed property. TO be well
acquainted with. as he may have a frequent CO.
casion for the exercise of that art.
have already exceeded the limits 1 had pre-
seribed to myself when l began this letter. but
l wiii trespass yet little more while entreat
that you Will examine him, as often as YOU can
make 1t convenient, yourself, and admonish
him seriously OF his omissions and defects and
prevent. as much as il can be done without too
rigid restraint, devotion of his time to Wis
ltations OF the families in Annapolis, which.
when carried to excess or beyond a certain
point, cannot fail to take his mind from study
and turn his thoughts to very different
objects Above oil, let me request, if you
should perceive any appearance Of his attach
ing himself, by visits or otherwise to any
young lady Of that place. that you would ad-
monish him against the measure on account
Of his youth and incspability Of appreciaGng
all the requisites in a connection which in the
| common course Of things can terminate With
the death Of one Of the parties only and II 10 is
done without effect to advise me thereof
IL In his reading he was to make common
place notes, as is usual, copy them fair and
snow them to You, two good purposes would
be answered by i'll. you would see with what
Judgment they were done; and 2. il nigh, be
a means to improve his handwriting, which
requires nothing but and attention TO rem
der 1t good. At present all of his writing that
have seen is a hurried scribble. as il to get TO
the end speedily was the sole object Of writing
With very great esteem and regard,
lam. Sir,
Your Obedt Hbe Servt
Go Washington.
p. S.-knowledge in Book keeping is essen
tial to all who are under the necessity OF keep
ing accounts.
George W. p. Gusts, concerning whom this
letter was written, married Mary Lee Fitzhugh
OF Chatham, Fredericksburg, and these were
| the grandparents of Gen. Robert E. Lee Cu,-