Washington's Boyhood

A wli o was much at Mount Vernon and at Mr. Fairfax'3 Beat, Relvolr, migtit expect to see not a little that was worta seeimg of the life of tho coiony. George w kept at school untü he was close upon Bixteen : but there was ampie vaction time for visiting. Mrs. "Washington did keep him at her apron strings. He even lived, When it was necessary, with his brother Augustine, at the oíd heme on Bridges Creek, ia order to bo near the best school that was accessible, while hi3 mother was far away on the farm that lay upon the Rappahannock. Mrs. Washinston saw to it, nevertheless, that the stiOTild not lose sight of him altogether. AVhen he was fourteen. it %vas proposed that he should be sent to sea, U3 somany lads Vvere, noi doubt, froin that maritime province ; but the prudent mother preerred he should aot leave Virginia, and the schocling went on as bsfore- the schooling of books and manly sports. ETory lad learned to ride- to ride ooit or horse, regardless of training, gait, er temper - in that country, where no eme went afoot except to catea his mount in the pastu'-'e Every lad. black or white, bond or iree, knew where tO find and how1 to take the roving game in the forests. And youn Washington, robust boy that be was, not to be daunted while that BtroiKT spirit sat in him whlch hegot from his fathor and motlior alïke, took his appreoticeship on horscb.ick aiid in ttoe tansled wood-i with cluwactoristic zsst and ardor. II (i was, above all things clsc, a capablo executive boy. He loved mastery, and he reli-shed acquiring the mo-t effecth'e means of mastery ín all practical aftairs. UU very exercise books used at school gave proof of it. They were filled, not only wlth the lules, formulae, diagram-, and exercb.es of surveying, which he was takins special pains to learn, at the advic-e of hts friends, bufc nlso with oareful copies oí legal and jnercantile papers, bilis oí exciiange, bilis o; sale, bonds. indentui'es land warrant, lea.se.s deeds, and wills, as ii lie [ineant to be a lawyer'.-s or a mercfaant's clei'k Ifc would seem ttoat, passionate and full oí warm Wood tvs lie was, lie canned these tliings as he istudied the use and stnicture oí liis fowling piece, the bridle h.e used {or hls colts, hls saddle girth, aadthe tst wayB of mouinting. He copied theee Scerms of businesa as ha 'rnight liaTe copu?J. Beverley's account of the to-ay fox ov 'possum or beaver was to be taken or the wild turkey trapped. The nien he most admired, his eider brothere, Mr. Fairiax, and the gentlemen plantere who were bo much at tbelr house, were most of them souiicl men of business, who valued good Burveying as mucn as they admirtd good horsemanship and skill in sport. They were their owm merchaaits, and looked upon i'orm of business paper as quite as uselul as ploughs and hogsho:ids. Careful exorcise in sucli inatters might well enovjih aceonipany pracitce iu oqually fonnal minuto in Virginia. Anti bo this boy loaraod to show iu-almost övervtaims he did the careful