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.] EXTRACTS FROM A DIARY. 503
No. XI. p. 402.
BRIEF EXTRACTS FROM A DIARY.
Although Washington could hardly be considered a man of reading, or one who gathered knowledge from a deep study of books, yet
few were better informed on all the practical topics of life, or had a
more perfect understanding of the political principles on which the
English government was founded, and of the true merits of the controversy between Great Britain and the colonies. No gentleman
associated more constantly and intimately with men of the first talents and attainments, or was more eager or better qualified to profit
by such an intercourse. At Mount Vernon he lived in the exercise
of an open and generous hospitality, which drew to his house the
best part of the society of Virginia' and Maryland, as well as strangers
from other colonies. He also spent a portion of every year at Williamsburg,. as a member of the House of Burgesses, where he frequented the circles of wealth and fashion, at the same time that he
was brought into contact with men of powerful minds in the transaction of public affairs. His manner of life was a school, in which
every day increased his insight into human character, and sharpened
his faculties of observation and judgment, always acute and always
active.
The following meagre hints from his Diary, during the whole time
of his attendance at the first Congress in Philadelphia, are of no other
value, than as showing how he passed his time while not occupied
with his public duties. It will be seen, that he was constantly abroad,
in company with the most enlightened society, and thus in a condition
to collect the sentiments of all parties on the great subjects, which
then agitated the country. This trait in his habits is worth recording,
and worth remembering, as it is a key to many incidents in his
career, not easily explained without it. In the present instance, also,
these entries in his Diary afford an evidence of the high consideration in which he was already held, if we may judge from the eagerness with which his company was sought.
Mr. Pendleton and Patrick Henry spent a day and night with him
at Mount Vernon, on their way to Philadelphia, and they all set off
together for that place on the 31st of August.
"September 4th. — Breakfasted at Christiana Ferry; dined at
Chester; and lodged at Dr. Shippen's in Philadelphia, after supping
at the New Tavern.