Lawrence continued to read, "In your apparel, be modest, and endeavor to accommodate yourself to 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. "Wherein you reprove another, be unblamable yourself, for example is better than precept. "When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it." "Not many men reduce these rules to practise very thoroughly," remarked Lawrence. "To square one's life by these rules requires uncommon circumspection and decision. Few are equal to it." "I think that George comes as near doing it as any one," suggested Mrs. Washington. "I was just thinking of that," replied Lawrence. "I am not sure but his manly bearing is owing to these rules. No one can think enough of them to write them down carefully in a book without being more or less influenced by their lessons." "It would seem so," remarked Mrs. Washington; "but are there no rules relating to our higher duties to God among the whole number?" "Yes, several; but you should remember that these are rules of behavior in company and conversation alone, and not our religious duties. But here is one rule that lies in that direction": "Labor to keep in your heart that little spark of celestial fire called conscience." "And here is another": "If you speak of God or His attributes, let it be seriously, in reverence; and honor and obey your parents." "George has done that to perfection," remarked Lawrence. "Profanity and disobedience, even in their least offensive form, he was never guilty of. And here is still another rule having reference to our higher obligations, which he has observed with commendable carefulness": "Let your recreations be manful, not sinful." "I think it is remarkable, as you say, that one so young as George should make such a collection of rules," said Mrs. Washington. "May it not be that a remarkable future is before him?" "It may be, and I am inclined to think it will be," answered Lawrence. "If a bright spring-time is the harbinger of an ample harvest, such a youth must foreshadow noble manhood." Thus were George's "Rules of Behavior in Company and Conversation" discussed at Mount Vernon, and the young author of them was more admired in consequence. We will furnish our readers with more of his "Rules," since all of them are important, and had much to do, doubtless, with the formation of George's character. "Speak not of doleful things in time of mirth, nor at the table; speak not of melancholy things, as death and wounds; and if others mention them, change, if you can, the discourse. Tell not your dreams but to your intimate friend. "Break not a jest when none take pleasure in mirth; laugh not loud, nor at all, without occasion; deride no man's misfortune, though there seem to be some cause. "Speak not injurious words, neither in jest nor earnest; scoff at none, although they give occasion.