GEORGE WASHINGTON

Utopian_Raindrops

At the end of last summer my parents took the children and I on an amazing RV vacation.

For 3 weeks we drove from our home to our Nations Capital.

One of the most fascinating things we learned on our trip was the caliber of people our nations settlers were as well as our founding fathers. The majority of people at that time period are what we call Self Made Men And Women.

Now and again I will post something about these people from our countries past. Starting with..

George Washington -- born 1732; died 1799

chairman of the Constitutional Convention, first president of the United States

George Washington, by contrast to Benjamin Franklin, went to one-room "Latin schools," which were tutorial sessions with a single teacher, again with a heterogenous age mix. Like Franklin, he learned to read at home before attending any school. Washington got in only two years of Latin school because his father died and the family couldn't afford to keep sending him.

On our trip I purchased a little book Washington wrote of which I will share in its entirety with you. It is entitled.

George Washingtons Rules Of Civility And Decent Behaviour

George Washington, the father of our country , exhibited notable manners throughout his life. Diligence in social matters was common practice in decent society the world over, during his lifetime.

At the age of 14, George Washington wrote 110 rules under the title Rules Of Civility And Decent Behaviour In Company And Conversation. These rules were drawn from an English translation of a French book of maxims and were intended to polish manners, keep alive the best affections of the heart, impress the obligation of moral virtues, teach how to treat others in social relations, and above all, inculcate the practice of perfect self control.

1 st Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present.

2 nd When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body, not usually discovered.

3 rd Show nothing to your friend that may affright him.

4 th In the presence of others sing not to yourself with a humming noise , not drum with your fingers or feet.

5 th If you cough, sneeze, sigh, or yawn, do it not loud but privately; and speak not in your yawning, but put your handkerchief or hand before your face and turn aside.

6 th Sleep not when others speak, sit not when others stand, speak not when you should hold your peace, walk not on when others stop.

7 th Put not off clothes in the presence of others, nor go out your chamber half dressed.

8 th At play and at fire it is good manners to give place to the last comer, and affect not to speak louder than ordinary.

9 th Spit not in the fire, nor stoop low before it. Neither put your hands into the flames to warm them, nor set your feet upon the fire, especially if there be meat before it.

10 th When you sit down, keep your feet firm and even , with out putting one on the other or crossing them.

11 th Shift not yourself in the sight of others nor gnaw your nails.

12 th Shake not your head, feet, or legs; roll not the eyes; lift not one eyebrow higher then the other; wry not the mouth; and bedew no mans face with your spittle by approaching too near him when you speak.

13 th Kill no vermin as fleas, lice, ticks &c in the sight of others; if you see any filth or thick spittle, put your foot dexteriously upon it; if it be upon the clothes of your companions, put it off privately; and if it be upon your own clothes, return thanks to him who puts it off.

14 th Turn not your back to others especially in speaking; jog not the table or desk on which another reads or writes; lean not upon anyone.

15 th Keep your nails clean and short, also your hands and teeth clean, yet without showing any great concern of them.

16 th Do not puff up the cheeks; loll not out the tongue, rub the hands, or beard, thrust out the lips, or bite them, or keep the lips too open or close.

17 th Be no flatterer; neither play with any that delights not to be played with.

18 th Read no letters, books, or papers in company; but when there is a necessity for the doing of it, you must ask leave. Come not near the books or writings of another so as to read them or give your opinion of them unasked; also look not nigh when another is writing a letter.

19 th Let your countenance be pleasant , but in serious matters somewhat grave.

20 th The gestures of the body must be suited to the discourse you are upon.

These are the 1 st 20 and I will be adding more to this thread throughout the day.

Hope you enjoy this little time travel to the past.

Bendrr

Thanks UR. Looking forward to the rest of them.

Mike.

Utopian_Raindrops

21 st Reproach none for the infirmities of nature, nor delight to put them that have in mind thereof.

22 nd Show not yourself glad at the midfortune of another, though he were your enemy.

23 rd When you see crime punished, you may be inwardly pleased, but always show pity to the suffering offender.

24 th Do not laugh too much or too loud in public.

25 th Superfluous compliments and all affectation of ceremony are to be avoided, yet where due, they are not to be neglected.

26 th In pulling off your hat to persons of distinction, as noblemen, justices, churchmen,&c, make a reverence, bowing more or less according to the custom of the better bred and quality of person. Among your equals, expect not always that they should begin with you first, but to pull off your hat when there is no need is affectation; in the matter of saluting and resaluting in words, keep to the most usual custom.

27 th Tis ill manners to bid one more eminent than yourself be covered as well as not to do it to whom its due; likewise, he that makes too much haste to put on his hat does not well, yet he ought to put it on at first, or at most the second time of being asked. Now what is herein spoken, of qualification in behavior in saluting, ought to be observed in taking of place, and sitting down for ceremonies without bounds its troublesome.

28 th If anyone come to speak to you while you are sitting, stand up, though he be your inferior; and when you present seats, let it be to everyone according to his degree.

29 th When you meet with one of greater quality than yourself, stop, and retire, especially if it be a door or any straight place to give way for him to pass.

30 th In walking, the highest place in most countries seems to be on the right hand, therefore, place yourself on the left of him whom you desire to honour; but if three walk together, the mid place I the most honourable; the wall is the usually given to the most worthy if two walk together.

Your welcome Bender! I would have posted more sooner but received some company!!

Here are 10 more and will be posting in groups of 10 or 20 till I am done!!

You can see the difference in time periods when reading these!!!

Double Edge

Very, Very interesting....THANKS!

Utopian_Raindrops

31 st If any one far surpasses others, either in age, estate, or merit, yet would give place to one meaner than himself in his own lodging, the one ought not to accept it; so he, on the other hand, should not use much earnestness nor offer it above once or twice.

32 nd to one that is your equel, or not much inferior, you are to give the chief place in your lodging; and he to who it is offered ought at the first to refuse it, but at the second to accept, though not without acknowledging his own unworthiness.

33 rd 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,through they have no public charge.

34 th 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.

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

36 th Artificers & persons of low degree ought not to use many ceremonies to Lords od others of high degree, but respect and highly honor them; and those of high degree ought to treat them with affability & courtesy, without arrogance.

37 th In speaking to men of quality, do not lean nor look them full in the face, nor approach too near them, at least keep a full pace from them

38 th In visiting the sick, do not presently play the physician if you be not knowing therein.

39 th In writing or speaking, give every person his due title according to his degree & the custom of the place.

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

Your welcome Double Edge!! I have had unexpected company in and out all day and have been trying to type this little book out!

I am glad some are reading it. I can not believe how class conscience they were back then! I guess thats why when Washington was an adult he did not want to be King or President! He probably grew to hate all ceremonies and false piousness that went along with it!

Well off to type some more!!

Utopian_Raindrops

41 st Undertake not to teach your equal in the art himself professes, it savours of arrogance.

42 nd Let they ceremonies in courtesy be proper to the dignity of his place with who thou converses, for it is absurd to act the same with a clown and a prince.

43 rd Do not express joy before one sick or in pain, for that contrary passion will aggravate his misery.

44 th When a man does all he can though it succeeds not well blame not him that did it.

45 th Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in public or private, presently or at some other time, in what terms to do it; and in reproving show no sign of cholar, but do it with all sweetness and mildness.

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

47 th Mock not nor jest at any thing of importance; break no jests that are sharp biting; and if you deliver any thing witty and pleasant, abstain from laughing thereat yourself.

48 th Wherein you reprove another be unblameable yourself, for example is more prevalent then precepts.

49 th Use no reproachful language against any one; neither curse nor revile.

50 th Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any.

Utopian_Raindrops

51 st Wear not your clothes foul, ripped or dusty, but see that they be brushed once every day, at least, and take heed that you approach not to any uncleaness.

52 nd In your apparel be modest and endeavour to accomodate 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.

53 rd Run not in the streets; neither go too slowly nor with mouth open; go not shaking your arms; kick not the earth with your feet; go not upon the toes nor in a dancing fashion.

54 th 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.

55 th Eat not in the streets nor in the house out of season.

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

57 th In walking up and down in a house, only with one in company if he be greater than yourself, at the first give him the right hand and stop not till he does and be not first that turns; and when you do turn let it be with your face towards him; if he be a man of great quality, walk not with him cheek by joul, but somewhat behind him, but yet in such a manner that he may easily speak to you.

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

59 th Never express anything unbecoming nor act against the rules moral before your inferiors.

60 th Be not immodest in urging your friends to discover a secret.