iron works, situated in various parts of Virginia and Maryland. To Augustine, the second son, he left an estate in Westmoreland County. To George, the lands and mansion in Stafford County, where his father died; and to each of his other sons an estate of six or seven hundred acres. Betty, his only surviving daughter, was handsomely provided for; and every thing was placed in the hands of Mrs. Washington, until her children should respectively become of age. Thus was George Washington, at the early age of eleven years, left to the guardianship of his mother.

*

Well did Mrs. Washington fulfil her trust. It is impossible for the human race to estimate the debt which they owe her for the manner in which she trained the young hero. Mrs. Mary Washington has been described by those who were intimately acquainted with her, as being of the ordinary stature, and possessing great personal beauty; indeed, her beauty was so great that she was known throughout the colony as "the belle of the Northern Neck." She was high-spirited, and possessed uncommon strength of mind and decision of character, coupled with great simplicity of manners. Washington's inflexible regard to the performance of the minute duties of life, on which the happiness of himself and all who were connected with him depended; and his strict punctuality in keeping his word, and discharging all the obligations of justice, may be traced back to the early influence and example of his mother. She was remarkable for her truth of purpose, her hospitality, and for all those domestic habits and qualities which are so much more becoming to women than the most fashionable accomplishments of the present day. She was distinguished for her good sense, the control which she exercised over her children, her great and exemplary piety; and she was well calculated to complete that work which her husband had commenced, the religious training of her offspring. She had always, no doubt, united cordially with him in his attempt to bring up her children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord;" but now the whole burden falling upon her, the fidelity with which she exercised her trust, and her fitness for the delicate office, approved by her success, stand out in bolder characters. Of the harmony of sentiment existing in this respect between her and Mr. Washington, and of the high estimate in which she held the virtue of truth, let the following incident, resting on undoubted authority, bear witness.

66

Mrs. Washington was at all times fond of fine horses. Shortly * Sparks's Life of Washington.

after the death of her husband she owned a colt, which, on account of its many fine qualities, was a particular favourite, and had never been broken to the saddle, though it was old enough to have been broken long before. George had frequently admired this colt, as it pranced around the field, proudly snuffing up the air, wheeling and halting, and displaying its fine proportions, and more than once he wished that he was upon its back. It happened one day, that he told his wishes to some of his companions, and engaged them to meet him early the next morning, when, with their assistance, he would have a ride. Accordingly, the little party assembled the following day, soon after sunrise, and repaired to the field where the young Arabian was kept, at no great distance from the house. With some effort they contrived to pen him, and with still more effort to put a bridle upon him. Several took hold of the bridle, while the athletic youngster, with a single leap, vaulted upon his back. The necessary consequences of such an undertaking now took place. A desperate struggle followed between the horse and his rider. For a long time, the contest continued doubtful, till at length in the fury of his plunges, the noble animal falling headlong, burst a bloodvessel, which produced almost instant death. By this fall, George received no injury. But it grieved him to see lying before him the lifeless body of the spirited animal, whose death he was now sensible had been occasioned by his censurable folly and rashness. His mother too, and her fondness for this animal, came crowding upon him, to render his trouble still more distressing. Shortly after, a call to breakfast was heard. Some of the companions of George had been invited to breakfast with him that morning; and now, however much they might 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. At length, Mrs. Washington, breaking the silence, inquired whether they had seen her fine sorrel colt in their rambles. To this none of the boys replied, and the question was 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, that it was 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. Washington, with much 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 then 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 time arisen upon the cheek of Mrs. Washington, 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."

Such was the mother of our great Washington. She daily laboured to teach her children the first principles of religion, as laid down and established in the Bible, and in the formularies of the Church of England, and to inculcate upon them the fear of God, and the strict observance of the moral virtues, such as truth, justice, charity, humility, temperance, and industry. In these laudable and pious efforts she was aided by the daily use of a volume with the title of "Contemplations, Moral and Divine, by Sir Matthew Hale, Knight, late Chief Justice of the King's Bench." She made it her daily practice to read extracts from that book to her children. From her the book passed to George, but at what time is not known. It was found after his death, in his library at Mount Vernon, with his mother's name, "Mary Washington,' written in it with her own hand, and is now in the possession of the owner of Mount Vernon. It bears the marks of having been much used, and particular chapters are designated by marks of reference. This book, filled with lessons of virtue and wisdom, clothed in the language of sincerity and truth, is the work of a pious and enlightened sage, whose whole life exemplified his precepts; and without doubt it contributed much in forming the character of a man whose actions, great as they were, scarcely conferred greater benefit upon his country than posterity is now deriving, and will always continue to derive, from his example. In contemplating this circumstance, we feel that a debt of gratitude is due to the illustrious man who gave himself to the labour of writing such a book in the midst of the duties of his high office. Though he had been abundantly rewarded by the fruits which have been gathered from the good seed which he has sown, even if his work had been blessed in but this single instance, yet the debt of gratitude which America owes him can never, till the end of time, be fully paid. Neither should we forget what we owe to the mother of Washington, who stored the mind of her son with the inestimable wisdom contained in this book, and then gave it to him, to constitute, along with his Bible, "a light to his feet and a lamp to his path.'

She also had her reward: for she lived to see all her children filling the stations allotted to them, with honor to themselves and her,

A few months after the death of his father, George was sent to Westmoreland to reside with his half-brother, Augustine, principally for the purpose of attending a respectable school in the neighbourhood, kept by Mr. Williams. While a pupil of Mr. Williams, he maintained the good character which he had already gained. He soon acquired such a reputation for veracity, impartiality, and sound judgment, among his schoolmates, that he was

made umpire in all their disputes; and his decision was almost always satisfactory. He never quarreled with any of them, nor would he consent to see them fight among themselves; if he could prevent it in no other way, he would notify the teacher of their brutal design. For this the boys were often angry with him, but his reputation for courage and firmness, being as well founded. as it was for veracity, he never received either insult or injury. His companions, afterwards, when the anger of the moment had passed away, and their passions had time to cool, felt doubly grateful to him for preventing them from whipping each other; and their love for him was continually on the increase. He inherited from his father great bodily strength and activity, and not only while at school, but long afterwards, did he delight in the sports which strengthen the frame and swell the muscles. It was

a favourite amusement, during the hours of relaxation at Mr. Williams's school, for the boys to divide themselves into two parties, which they dignified with the name of armies; and calling the one French, and the other American; with cornstalks for muskets, and calabashes for drums, they would form into line, and march and counter-march, and file off, or fight their harmless battles with great interest. George always led the American army, and there was no sport in which he so much delighted as training his young soldiers.

But there was something besides playing to be done at Mr. Williams's school. That gentleman was an excellent teacher, and by him George was instructed in mathematics and in surveying. While studying these important branches of education, he kept a blank book in which he entered the examples in a fair round hand. These manuscripts have been preserved from the time of his thirteenth year. They occupy several quires of paper, and are remarkable for the care with which they were kept, the neatness of the handwriting, the clearness and beauty of the diagrams, and the precise method in which tables and columns of figures were copied.* They also contain what he calls Forms of Writing, such as notes of hand, bills of exchange, bonds, indentures, deeds, mortgages, wills, bills of sale, land warrants, leases, and receipts, written out with care. Then follow selections in rhyme, distinguished for their religious character. But the most interesting and significant part of these books was that which he called Rules of Behaviour in Company and Conversation. This contained maxims or rules of conduct for the government of young persons, drawn from sources which are not known, and arranged with much care. We present the reader with a specimen of these rules, that it may be seen upon what principles certain parts of the character of Washington were formed.

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

2. Be no flatterer.

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

* Sparks.