The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-23
MOUNT VERNON, ID Sep, 179S.

MOUNT \ ERNON, u SeP., 1'0o.
SIR: Your favor of the 18th ulto
with the accounts came duly to hand,
and T thank you for the trouble you
have had in paying and taking receipts
therefor. The balance II. 2s. SD. may,
if you please, be given to Mr.. Gusts.
1t was my intention to have written
fully to you by the return Of this young
Gentleman to College, but the deblll-
tated state into which [ have been
thrown by a fever, with which [ was
seized on the 18th, and could produce
no remission of until the 25th past,
rendered writing equally irksome and
improper. Were the case otherwise
should, I confess, be at loss to point
out any precise course of study for MI
Gusts for Mr.. Gusts [sic.l My views
with regard to him have already been
made known to you, and therefore 1t IS
not necessary to repeat them on this
occasion;-but it is not merely what
the best course is, for him to pur-
sue, that require consideration, but
such an one as be can be Induced TO
pursue, and will contribute to his I'M
provement, and the objects in view.
In directing the first, to the subjects,
gentleman Of your literature, discern
ment, and knowledge Of the world,
would be at no loss, without any sug-
gestion, if there was as good dlsposl-
ton to receive as there are talents to ac-
uuire knowledge: but as there seems to
be in this youth an unconquerable IN
dolence of temper, a disinclination IN
fact to all study, it 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
NAV be serviceable to himself ana,
eventually, beneficial to his country
hereafter.
French, from having become in a
manner the universal language, l
wished him to be master of, but do
not find from enquiry that he has made
much progress in the study oft. Some
of the practical branches OF mathe-
matics, particularly surveying, he
ought, possessing a good deal OF landed
property, to be well acquainted WITH
as he may have frequent occasion Tor
the exercise of that art.
I have already exceeded the limits l
had prescribed to myself when 1 began
this letter, but will trespass yet lit
tie more while I entreat that you Will
examine him, as often as you can make
it convenient, yourself, and admonish
him seriously Of his omission and de-
fects; and prevent, as much as 1t can
be done without too rigid a restraint,
devotion of his time to visitatlons 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 all, let me re-
quest, if you should perceive any ap-
pearance of his attaching himself, by
visits or otherwise, to any young lady
of that place, thatyou would admonlsh
him against the measure on account of
his youth and incapability Of appreciat-
ing all the requisites for connection
which, in the common course OF things,
can terminate with the death of one
Of the parties only; and if it Is done
without effect, to advise me thereof.
II in lis reading he was to make
commonplace notes, as is usual; copy
them fair and show them 20 you, two
good purposes would be answered by 1t
i, YOU would see with what Judgment
thev were done: and ,, it might be
means to improve his handwriting,
which requires nothing but care and
attention to render itgood. Atpresent
all of his writing that 1 have seen is
hurried scribble, as if to get to the end
speedily was the sole object Of writing.
With very great esteem ard regard,
Your Obedt Hble Servt
Go Washington.
p. S.-Kuowledge in Book keeping