The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

APPENDIx.] EARLY PAPERS. 415
"48. When your superiors talk to any body, hearken not, neither
speak, nor laugh.
"49. In disputes be not so desirous to overcome, as not to give
liberty to each one to deliver his opinion, and submit to the judgment of the major part, especially if they are judges of the dispute.
"50. Be not tedious in discourse; make not many digressions,
nor repeat often the same manner of discourse.
" 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 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 humor makes one dish of
meat a feast.
"54. Set not yourself at the upper end of the table; but if it be
your due, or that the master of the house will have it so, contend
not, lest you should trouble the company.
" 55. When you speak of God, or his attributes, let it be seriously
in. reverence. Honor and obey your natural parents, although they
be poor.
"56. Let your recreations be manful, not sinful.' 57. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celes.
tial fire, called conscience."
The list might be extended, but these specimens will answer the
purpose here designed, which is to indicate the sources of some of
the impressions, that contributed to form the character of Washington.
His military propensities early discovered themselves, and at the
age of fourteen he was seized with a desire to enter the navy. His
brother Lawrence, who was himself a military man, approved this
choice, and procured for him a midshipman's warrant. At first his
mother seemed to consent, though reluctantly, to this project; but as
the time of separation approached, her maternal feelings, and more
mature reflection, caused her to waver in her decision, and finally to
oppose the wishes of her son and his friends. The following is an
extract from a letter written to Lawrence Washington by his fatherin-law, William Fairfax, and dated September 10th, 1746.
"George has been with us, and says he will be steady, and thankfully follow your advice as his best friend. I gave him his mother's
letter to deliver, with a caution not to show his. I have spoken to