Douglas daily dispatch., 1926-02-23

could not be more plainly revealed
than by the establishment during
that period of only a little over 40
years Of no less than 10 additional
colleges. Then were laid the begin,
nngs of such great institutions as
Pennsylvania, Princeton, Columbia,
Brown and Dartmouth. When it is
remembered that a knowledge of the
truth has always been the maker Of
freedom, this remarkable quickening
of the religious and intellectual life
of the Colonies in these years just
prior to the Declaration of Independ-
ence becomes of enormous signifi-
canoe Rightly considered, it would
have been an ominous warning to the
British government that America had
long since begun to think for itself
and unless justly treated would soon
begin to act for itself.
While this intellectual and spiritual
awakening was taking place during
the youth and maturing years OF
Washington, he benef1tted by it not
so much from taking part in it as ils
later directing the results of it. Al
though he lived in one of the most
Colonies, popular education around
him was still undeveloped. Newspap-
ers were almost unknown in the New
World and permanent and regular
lines Of transportation did not exist.
About the only regular visitors to
his colony were foreign tobacco trad
ers, dealers in fur, and peddlers. The
clergy were almost the only profes :
ssonal class. The people were vers
largely engaged in agriculture.
At the early age of 8, however,
Washington was placed under The in
struction of tutor, who seems to have
confined his teaching to the most
rudimentary subjects. When he was
IL another man took charge Of his
education and began to instruct him
in the fundamentals of the forms OF
business. Some of his copy books of
that day are still in existence. There
is evidence that he was taught some
Latin, but his preliminary education
was virtually completed when he
was 13 years old Paul Leicester Ford
! says that:
..,rhe end of Washington's school
days left him good cipherer, a bad
speller, and still worse grammarlan
Dut fortunately the termination of in
struction did not by any means end
his education.
hfter this he studied surveying ana
pursued that occupation for several
years This was an exacting calling,
training hira in accuracy. But when
he was Is he came into close contact
with Lord Fairfax cultured gentle
man of CO years, who had consider.
able library. His diaries of that peri
Cd show him reading English history
and essays in the Spectator. But
these early opportunities constituted
only the beginning of his education,
which he continued in one form o.
another almost to the end of his days
His. experience, his power of obseryA-
tion and absorption finally oYercane
this lack of early training, so that
in his later days his writings, correct
in form and taste, adequately reveal
ed the great strength of character
which he had developed
Perhaps because of his own early
experience he was the more sollcltous
Tor the members of his family To
one who was charged with the care
fof John Washington he wrote as fol-
lows:
"In respect to the kinds and man
ner of his study, leave it wholly
to your better judgment. Had he be-
gun, or rather pursued his study OF
the Greek language, I should have
thought it no bad acquisition; but
whether if he acquire this now, he
may not forego some useful branches
of learning, is matter worthy Of
considerations 10 be acquainted with
the French tongue is become part OF
polite educat.on; and to man who
mas the prospect of mixing in large
circle absolutely necessary. Without
arithmetic, the common affairs OF
life are not to be managed with sue
cess. The study of geometry and
mathematics with due regard to the
limites of IT'D is equally advantageous.
The principles of philosophy, morals.
etc, 1 should think a very desirable
knowledge for. a gentleman
His practical interest in education
in his later life was further manifest
by his accepting the position OF
chalcellor of William and Mary Col
1ege in 1888.
In religion he conformed to- the
practice of his time. 1t is related
that he was baptized when two
months old and probably attended
church regularly until he was 16.
From that time until 1859 he was
largely engaged in expeditions. After
his marriage and settlement at Mount
Vernon he was made vestryman III
two parishes, for one CT which he
was instrumental in erecting a build
ing While he was not q constant
church attendant, he was q constant
and always gave respetc- |
full consideration to the religious be- !