From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 36 man's misfortune, though there seem to be some cause. "Speak not injurious words, neither in jest nor earnest; scoff at none, although they give occasion. "Seek not to lessen the merits of others; neither give more than due praise. "Go not thither where you know not whether you shall be welcome. "Give not advice without being asked; and when desired, do it briefly. "Reprove not the imperfections of others, for that belongs to parents, masters and superiors. "Gaze not on the marks and blemishes of others, and ask not how they came. What you may speak in secret to your friend, deliver not before others. "Think before you speak; pronounce not imperfectly, nor bring out your words too hastily, but orderly and distinctly. "When another speaks, be attentive yourself, and disturb not the audience. If any hesitate in his words, help him not, nor prompt him, without being desired; interrupt him not, nor answer him, until his speech be ended. "Treat with men at right times about business, and whisper not, in the company of others. "Be not in haste to relate news if you know not the truth thereof. "Be not curious to know the affairs of others, neither approach those that speak in private. "Undertake not what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise. "Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust. "Make no show of taking delight in your victuals. Feed not with greediness. Cut your food with a knife, and lean not on the table; neither find fault with what you eat. "Be not a flatterer; neither play with any one that delights not to be played with. "Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another, though he were your enemy. "It is good manners to prefer them to whom we speak before ourselves, especially if they are above us; with whom in no sort ought we to begin. "Strive not with your superiors in an argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty. "Undertake not to teach your equal in the art him self professes, for it is immodest and presumptuous. "Before you advise or find fault with any one, consider whether it ought to be in public or in private; presently, or at some other time; in what terms to do it; and, in reproving, show no sign of anger, but do it with sweetness and mildness. "Use no reproachful language against any one, neither curse nor revile. "Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the injury of any.
Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 37 "Play not the peacock, looking everywhere about you to see if you be well-decked; if your shoes fit well; if your pantaloons sit neatly, and clothes handsomely. "Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for it is a sign of a kindly and commendable nature; and in all cases of passion, admit reason to govern. "Utter not base and frivolous things amongst grave and learned men, nor very difficult questions or subjects among the ignorant, nor things hard to believe." These are only a part of the Rules which George adopted for his instruction and guidance through life. In weighing them, the reader must feel the force of Everett's remarks, who said of them, "Among his manuscripts still in existence, there is one, written under thirteen years of age, which deserves to be mentioned as containing striking indications of early maturity. The piece referred to is entitled 'Rules of Behavior in Company and Conversation.' These rules are written out in the form of maxims, to the number of one hundred and ten." "They form," says Mr. Sparks, "a minute code of regulations for building up the habits of morals and manners and good conduct in very young persons." Whether they were taken in a body from some manual of education, or compiled by Washington himself from various books, or framed from his own youthful observation and reflection, is unknown. The first is, perhaps, the more probable supposition. If compiled by a lad under thirteen, and still more, if the fruit of his own meditations, they would constitute a most extraordinary example of early prudence and thoughtfulness. Some of the rules which form a part of this youthful code of manners and morals had their influence over Washington, and gave a complexion to his habits through life. That a boy of twelve or thirteen years should compile such a code of manners and morals, shows, unmistakably, the bent of his mind. We discover valuable elements of character in the formation and execution of such a purpose. It is equally true, also, that his book of prose and poetical extracts reveals his taste and aims no less surely than his "Rules." The following extract, taken from that manuscript volume, tells about the same story of the boy as his "Rules of Behavior" tell:-- "These are the things, which, once possessed, Will make a life that's truly blest; A good estate on healthy soil, Not got by vice, nor yet by toil; Round a warm fire a pleasant joke, With chimney ever free from smoke; A strength entire, a sparkling bowl, A quiet wife, a quiet soul; A mind, as well as body, whole; Prudent simplicity, constant friends, A diet which no art commends, A merry night without much drinking, A happy thought without much thinking. Each night by quiet sleep made short, A will to be but what thou art: Possessed of these, all else defy, And neither wish nor fear to die; These are the things, which, once possessed, Will make a life that's truly blest." His strong love for simple, pure, domestic life appears in this selection--a love for which he was distinguished to the day of his death. The school-days of George ended one month before he was sixteen years of age. Mr. Hobby and Mr. Williams were his only teachers, except his parents. "Not very rare opportunities," the reader will say. No larger opportunities for mental culture now would be considered meagre indeed. But he made the most of what he had, so that his small advantages did more for him than the best opportunities do for less industrious and noble boys. A strong bond united him to his teacher and schoolmates. It was not so much his scholarship as his character that endeared him to both teacher and pupils. The secret of it was found in his heart rather than his head. His school-mates were moved to tears on parting with him, and so was his teacher. And those tears were a sincere tribute to the unsullied character of the boy. V.
Page 1 and 2: Farm House to the White House, by W
Page 35: Farm House to the White House, by W
Page 87 and 88:
Farm House to the White House, by W
Page 89 and 90:
Page 91 and 92:
Page 93 and 94:
Page 95 and 96:
Page 97 and 98:
Page 99 and 100:
Page 101 and 102:
Page 103 and 104:
Page 105 and 106:
Page 107 and 108:
Page 109 and 110:
Page 111 and 112:
Page 113 and 114:
Page 115 and 116:
Page 117 and 118:
Page 119 and 120:
Page 121 and 122:
Page 123 and 124:
Page 125 and 126:
Page 127 and 128:
Page 129 and 130:
Page 131 and 132:
Page 133 and 134:
Page 135 and 136:
Page 137 and 138:
Page 139 and 140:
Page 141 and 142:
Page 143 and 144:
Page 145 and 146:
Page 147 and 148:
Page 149 and 150:
Page 151 and 152:
Page 153 and 154:
Page 155 and 156:
Page 157 and 158:
Page 159 and 160:
Page 161 and 162:
Page 163 and 164:
Page 165 and 166:
Page 167 and 168:
Page 169 and 170:
Page 171 and 172:
Page 173 and 174:
Page 175 and 176:
Page 177 and 178:
Page 179 and 180:
Page 181 and 182:
Page 183 and 184:
Page 185 and 186:
Page 187 and 188:
Page 189 and 190:
Page 191 and 192:
Page 193 and 194:
Page 195 and 196:
Page 197 and 198:
Page 199 and 200:
Page 201 and 202:
Page 203 and 204:
Page 205 and 206:
Page 207 and 208:
Page 209 and 210:
Page 211 and 212:
Page 213 and 214:
Page 215 and 216:
Page 217 and 218:
Page 219 and 220:
Page 221 and 222:
Page 223 and 224:
Page 225 and 226:
show all

From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?