From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

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.