"Shortly after a call to breakfast was heard. Some of the companions of George, I believe, had been invited to breakfast with him that morning; and now, however much they could have desired to have been excused, they went in, and were soon seated at the table.

"For a time, little was said-less than usual. Whether Mrs. Washington remarked this, I cannot say. But, at length, breaking the silence, she inquired whether they had seen her fine sorrel colt in their rambles.

"To this no one of the boys replied, and the question was therefore repeated.

"There was now no escape. The case was to be met, and met at once. The integrity of George had been tried in still younger days; and now again tried, it nobly stood the test. He replied to the question put by his mother.

"Your sorrel colt is dead, mother.'

"Dead! George,' exclaimed Mrs. W., with a good deal of surprise' dead, do you say?' her hands relaxing from some service which she was performing at the table. "Yes, he is dead.'

"How happened it, George?'

"I will tell you, mother. I am the only one in fault.' And now he proceeded to give her a circumstantial and correct account of the whole transaction.

"Before the story was ended, the flush, which had for a short space risen upon the cheek of Mrs. W., an evidence of her displeasure, had all passed away, and in conclusion she observed, quite kindly and calmly, 'While I regret the loss of my favourite, I rejoice in my son, who always speaks the truth,'"*

* Anonymous.

Soon after the above occurrence, the father having been dead some months, George was sent to Westmoreland to reside with his half-brother, Augustine, who, as heir thereof, occupied the family seat in that county. It was mainly with a view to the benefits of a respectable school in the neighbourhood, that George was removed from the maternal roof.

What the religious advantages were, which awaited him in his new situation, we have not the means of ascertaining. There is no doubt but he enjoyed the privilege of public worship at the parish church, known then and now as Pope's Creek Church. Here his attendance was probably habitual, as it was an age in which every body in that region frequented the House of God whenever divine service was performed. This fact, otherwise notorious, is also indicated by the size of the churches built in Virginia at that period, and by none more strongly than by the one above-named, which, from its vast extent, could once have accommodated a multitude of worshippers.

During his temporary residence in Westmoreland, and while the pupil of a Mr. Williams, the manifestations of good dispositions were numerous and striking. Such was his reputation, (as an old gentleman who had been at school with him once testified) such was his reputation for veracity, impartiality, and sound judgment, among his schoolmates, that in all their little differences and disputes he was ever called to act as their chosen umpire. And so great was their confidence in him, that his decisions were seldom called in question. With his companions he never quarrelled; nor would he ever consent to see them fight with each other. Instead of en couraging a practice so degrading, he would often inform

the teacher when he became acquainted with any such wicked design-for which, however, he was much censured by the boys.

By nature possessed of a resolute and martial spirit, how shall we account for his gentle and pacific conduct in the instances referred to. How, except on the ground of a very refined temper, or of a gracious state of mind. It is known that the Spirit of God does often, at a very tender age, secretly imbue the soul with generous feelings and kind affections. We are inclined to think that the traces of his hallowed agency were clearly apparent in the dispositions and conduct under consideration.

The few meagre records which have been spared us of this period of his life, enable us to form some idea of the particular direction of his mind, and of the manner in which his leisure hours were spent. When about thirteen years of age he kept a blank book for the reception, in manuscript, of such articles as he thought instructive and useful. Among other things we find him transferring to this book, from a source not signified, a number of maxims, or rules of conduct, for the government of a young person. We here present the reader with a selection from these rules. They are such as may afford profit to all if carefully considered.

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

"2. Be no flaterrer.

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

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

"5. When you meet with one of greater quality that

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

"6. They that are in dignity or in office, have in all places precedency; but whilst they are young they ought to respect those that are their equals in birth, or other qualities, though they have no public charge.

"7. It is good manners to prefer them to whom we speak before ourselves; especially if they be above us, with whom in no sort we ought to begin.

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

"9. In writing or speaking, give to every person his due title, according to his degree and the custom of the place.

แ 10. Strive not with your superiours in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty. "11. Undertake not to teach your equal in the art himself professes; it savours of arrogancy.

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

"13. Being to advise, or reprehend 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 signs of choler, but do it with sweetness and mildness.

"14. Take all admonitions thankfully, in what time or place soever given; but afterwards, not being culpable, take a time or place convenient to let him know it that gave them.

"15. Mock not, nor jest at any thing of importance; break no jests that are sharp-biting, and if you deliver

any thing that is witty and pleasant, abstain from laughing thereat yourself.

"16. Wherein you reprove another be unblamable yourself; for example is more prevalent than precepts. "17. Use no reproachful language against any one; neither curse, nor revile.

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

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

"20. Play not the peacock, looking every where about you to see if you be well decked, if your shoes fit well, if V your stockings sit neatly, and clothes handsomely.

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

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

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

"24. Be not immodest in urging your friend to discover

a secret.

"25. Break not a jest where none takes pleasure in mirth; laugh not aloud, nor at all without occasion. Deride no man's misfortune, though there seem to be some

cause.

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