Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-20

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NkSfK@ nate or acquired and
MNH IL 1t possible in the
"a Htlf child life of an indi-
~ vidual to discover in
~ and Of character? Dress,
education and the conventionallties Of an age
give almost as much sameness to the conduct
and appearance Of people a. does the brick.
makers mold to the clay he works. Want OF
intercourse with the world influences not only
the customs, but the mental and physical
| characteristics of communities, causing them
to become almost Is uniform as the dress they
| wear. Nevertheless it is, / apprehend, q
| universal vanity to think ourselves endowed
with special talents and SO commendable that
they ought to be INDUCED. Many, though
believe they have great aptitude for the affairs
| OF life; SUPERIOR indeed to their neighbors,
| which they could demonstrate if they tried or
| had the opportunity.
! People acquire the routine Of everyday life
almost automatically but under VARYING de-
grees Of moral concepts, ethical culture and
notions OF obligations and duty. vertheless,
| implanted in the minds Of all is the idea of a
greater than themselves and an admiration for
| the leader, the seer and the prophet. No
| chime. age or race has an exclusive prerogative
| to either the genius. the mental powers, the
! virtues or the vices which distinguish people
/ and alone elevate or degrade nations. Yet
while there is great sameness, when the race is
viewed as a unit, among individuals are much
| diversity OF brain power and aptness for pur-
suits. with degrees of reason and self control
which lie at the foundation of all the virtues
1t is not my purpose to inquire into the
mysteries OF that divinity that shapes our
ends, but to look backward and discuss some
OF the factors essential to greatness and which
| 1t is conceived must be either Unborn or ac-
| quired in very early childhood. From time
| to time characters possessing, to phenomenal
degree, the heroic and philanthropic virtues
| spring unexpectedly and without special train
| Ing into prominence and become leaders of
the world.
George Washington, whose birth we COM
memorate today, was one Of the most con-
splcuous illustrations Of this fact in history.
Many believe he was expressly created, pre-
served and directed by Providence for the
special work he performed for his country. A
people may have surprises of this nature, but
Providence is methodical and has no accidents.
wAsHINGToN's CHILD LIFE.
Was the child life and early youth Of George
Washington entirely commonplace and without
indication of the greatness of the coming man?
We think not. 1t would be hazardous to at
tempt to nix the age in days, months or years
in the life Of an individual when impressions
for good or evil may first be made as object
lessons and which exercise a dominating infiu-
ence in after life. 1t is believed precepts i'm
bibed i'll early youth possess a controlling in
huence over actions in mature and even in old
age. II the theory be correct that much of
what ID greatest In great men may be traced to
the nobility OF character in their mothers what
debt of gratitude the world owes to that
worthy Virginia matron, Mary Washington.
From his tenderest years his teacher by ex-
ample and precept was his firm, tender and
sensible mother, to whose benign influence he
attributed whatever Of virtue he possessed.
nj n 81
Washington than We could wish. The family
Bible records Georges birth and baptism. I'D
to his fathers last sickness, when George. then
In his eleventh year, was sent for at the dying
mans request, his name Is rarely referred to
except by his school teachers or by his mother
and brothers. The desire to supply incidents
to illustrate this period OF his life led one of
his first biographers to draw somewhat largely,
1apprehend, upon his fancy.
My desire is to assemble some data relative
to the youth, habits and personal characteristics
of George Washington. His services as patriot
and statesman are familiar to all.
HIS SCHOOL TEACHERS.
Biographers furnish the names of two of
Georges school teachers; it is, however, prob
able that he had others. The first was Mr..
Hobby, tenant Of his fathers, who was also
sexton Of the parish Oberwharton in Stafford
county, Va, and taught in one of the ''old field
school houses near BY Georges studies un-
as reading, writing and ciphering. but the
bright boy had at the same time the moral in
huence Of . good home aud the example and
instruction OF conscientious parents. He was
not born to or reared in any enervating luxu-
ries or the leading to efeminacy or evil environ
ments. Parental influence and his school tasks
satisfied his demands and prepared him for
the self-denials and hardships of the surveyors
tent, the frontier cabin and the camp Of the
patriot soldier.
he oth
Q more advanced school in Westmoreland. to
which George was sent shortly after his fathers
death. boarding meantime with his half
brother, Augustine. who married Miss Aylet.
and resided at the old homestead, where George
was born, on Pope's creek. It was at this
school that he made his greater advances and
acquired his proficiency in mathematics and
surveying. Notwithstanding the embarrass-
ment Of 9 limited education by force Of genius
and manly perseverance he supplied the def
ciencies and discharged with distinguished
ability thStrusts Of as heavy responsibilities as
ever rested upon any man. Az pupil he was
noted for his punctual attendance orderly con-
duct, devotion to study and his popularity with
his school-fellowa He was the preferred umpire
in their disputes, the leader In their sports Of
running, leaping, wrestling, pitching the bar
and other games.
When George was between seven and eight
years Of age his half brother Lawrence re-
turned from England with . good education
He possessed . fine, manly figure, and was the
beau ideal OF George, who saw in him the
model man OF business, with the manners Of q
gentleman. Lawrence, although fourteen
years older than George, looked with admira-
ton upon his brother, whom he found COM
panionable much beyond what his age might
suggest, and whose expanding intellect and
perfect rectitude of character merited his
highest regard.
1t is probable that the ensign's commission
In the British navy procured for George in
1746 was obtained through Maj Lawrence
Washington and his friends, but doubtless the
boyhstening to the tales Of brave deeds and glory
to be won, acquiesced in their views and would
have gone into navy service had not his mother
objected. Washington was already an sd-
vsnced pupil in the school Of self-control, and
gave no outward evidence of disappointment at
his mothers decision. No sulks or poutinRs;
no attempts to run away from home and 60 TO
sea in defiance Of maternal authority, but for
another year or more he continued at school
under the immediate influence Of his mother
and his elder brothers. Throughout all of
Washingtons writings whenever refernece il
made to his mother, either in his youth, ma
ture manhood or advanced age, it is done with
the most becoming and dutiful respect
HIS CARE AND METHOD.
Georges neatly kept school copy book. made
between the age Of thirteen and sixteen years.
still in good condition and preserved in the De.
partment Of State, exhibits his fne penm.n.
ship. proficiency and accuracy, q we'll a. his
aptness in mathematical demonstration and