calmly, "He has been a good son, and I believe has done his duty as a man."

There was an old book which George cherished all his life, because the name "Mary Washington " was written by his mother on the fly-leaf, and because she used to read from it to him and his brothers and sisters when they were children. It was Sir Matthew Hale's 66 Contemplations, Moral and Divine." A grave book to be read aloud to a boy! But its ponderous lessons, whose effect was heightened by his mother's voice and earnest manner, sunk down deeply into his heart, to bear fruits in after years by which his country was to profit.

It soon became necessary that George should have more instruction than Hobby could give him, and so he was sent to live with his brother Augustine, at his birthplace, Bridges Creek, where he attended the school of a Mr. Williams. Even here he did not receive a very finished education; merely that which would fit him for a life of business. He copied bills and legal papers for his own self-improvement, and everything he did was done with extreme care and

neatness.

But he was not entirely devoted to his books; he still preferred the free, out-of-door life. He liked running, leap

He was also very fond

ing, wrestling, and playing quoits. of horses, and his horsemanship was extremely good. Many stories are told of his being able to manage restive horses that others could not even mount.

At school he became a general favourite, both for his athletic feats and for his high sense of honour and fairness, and he made many friends for himself. But the great friend of his boyhood still continued to be his brother Lawrence, and Lawrence took a deeper interest than ever in the boy

RULES OF BEHAVIOUR.

19

after their father's death; he had him at Mount Vernon as much as possible, and it was here that George formed a friendship with Lawrence's relations, the Fairfaxes, who lived at Belvoir, a beautiful estate a few miles below Mount Vernon.

It is said that after his death there was found amongst his papers one which was written about this time, in a quaint, schoolboy handwriting, and entitled "Rules for Behaviour in Company and Conversation." It was probably an extreme desire to acquit himself as Lawrence would have him do in the presence of his friends that made the boy spend his time in copying or compiling these "Rules."

"RULES OF BEHAVIOUR."

"I. Every action in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those present.

"2. In the presence of others sing not to yourself with a humming noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet.

"3. Sleep not when others speak; sit not when others stand; speak not when you should hold your peace; walk not when others stop.

"4. Turn not your back to others, especially in speaking; jog not the table or desk on which another reads or writes; lean not on any one.

"5. Be no flatterer; neither play with any one that delights not to be played with.

."6. Read no letters, books, or papers in company; but when there is a necessity for doing it you must ask leave. Come not near the books or writings of any one so as to read them, unless desired, nor give your opinion of them unasked; also look not nigh when another is writing a letter.

"7. Let your countenance be pleasant, but in serious matters somewhat grave.

"8. Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another, though he were your enemy.

"9. When you meet with one of greater quality than yourself, stop

and retire, especially if it be at a door or any strait place, to give way for him to pass.

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12. Let your discourse with men of business be short and comprehensive.

"15. Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.

"16. Undertake not to teach your equal in the art himself professes; it savours of arrogancy.

"17. When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it.

"20. Mock not in jest at anything of importance; break no jests that are sharp-biting; and if you deliver anything witty or pleasant, abstain from laughing thereat yourself.

"21. Wherein you reprove another be unblamable yourself, for example is more prevalent than precept.

"22. Use no reproachful language against any one, neither curse nor revile.

"23. Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any.

"24. In your apparel be modest, and endeavour to accommodate nature, rather than to preserve admiration. Keep to the fashion of your equals, such as are civil and orderly, with respect to times and places.

"25. Play not the peacock, looking everywhere about you to see if you be well decked; if your shoes fit well, if your stockings sit neatly, and clothes handsomely.

"26. Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.

"27. Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for it is a sign of a tractable and commendable nature ; and in all cases of passion admit reason to govern.

"29. Utter not vain and frivolous things among the grave and learned men; nor very difficult questions or subjects among the ignorant, nor things hard to be believed.

"30. Speak not of doleful things in time of mirth, nor at the table; speak not of melancholy things, as death and wounds, and if others

RULES OF BEHAVIOUR.

21

mention them, change if you can, the discourse. Tell not your dream to your intimate friend.

"32. Speak not injurious words, neither in jest nor earnest; scoff at none, although they give occasion.

*

"34. Detract not from others, neither be excessive in commending. "35. Go not thither, where you know not whether you shall be welcome or not. Give not advice without being asked; and when desired, do it briefly.

"40. Think before you speak; pronounce not imperfectly, ncr bring out your words too hastily, but orderly and distinctly.

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'42. Treat with men at fit times about business, and whisper not in the company of others.

"43. Make no comparisons; and if any of the company be commended for any brave act of virtue, commend not another for the same.

"46. Undertake not what you cannot perform; but be careful to keep your promise.

*

"51. Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust.

"52. Make no show of taking great delight in your victuals; feed not with greediness; cut not your bread with a knife; lean not on the table; neither find fault with what you eat.

"53. Be not angry at table, whatever happens; and if you have reason to be so, show it not: put on a cheerful countenance, especially if there be strangers, for good-humour makes one dish of meat a feast.

"55. When you speak of God and His attributes, let it be seriously, Honour and obey your natural parents, although they

in reverence.

be poor.

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"56. Let your recreations be manful, not sinful.

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'57. Labour to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial life called Conscience."

But, besides the Fairfaxes, George met other friends of his brother's, whose influence over his life was very great.

Lawrence liked to see at his table any one who had been connected with that brief military service to which he looked back with so much pride and pleasure.

Ships of war sometimes came up the broad Potomac. Their officers would partake of the hospitalities of Mount Vernon; and the eager, earnest boy would sit listening to their stories of bombardments, and cruisings, and fights with pirates, until his whole heart was aflame with a passion for the seafaring life. The desire was told with his other secrets to his brother Lawrence; and Lawrence saw no objection to the idea. He knew what the British service was, he knew also the good material there was in his young brother for that service; and so he promised George to use his influence with Mrs. Washington, to obtain consent for his becoming a midshipman.

Mrs. Washington did not like the scheme. George was her eldest son; already she had begun to depend on him, and feel him to be trustworthy and a support to her, and very reluctantly she gave in to the boy's persuasions and those of Lawrence. But at last she did consent, and George was happy. Bright visions came before him of the free ocean life, the countries he should see, the glory he would win; he believed nothing of his mother's predictions. If the life was hard, that did not matter to him, so long as it was life, and motion, and action. If there was severe discipline he need not fear, he would do nothing to deserve it. How gay and bright the officers at Mount Vernon had always been; what good stories they told, what adventures they had, what delightful company they were !—that was the kind of man he would be. The great ship lay in the Potomac, he could see it from Mount Vernon. His warrant was obtained, his luggage was put on board; nothing was left to do