These are only a part of the Rules which George adopted for his instruction and guidance through life. In weighing them, the reader must feel the force of Everett's remarks, who said of them, "Among his manuscripts still in existence, there is one, written under thirteen years of age, which deserves to be mentioned as containing striking indications of early maturity. The piece referred to is entitled 'Rules of Behavior in Company and Conversation.' These rules are written out in the form of maxims, to the number of one hundred and ten." "They form," says Mr. Sparks, "a minute code of regulations for building up the habits of morals and manners and good conduct in very young persons." Whether they were taken in a body from some manual of education, or compiled by Washington himself from various books, or framed from his own youthful observation and reflection, is unknown. The first is, perhaps, the more probable supposition. If compiled by a lad under thirteen, and still more, if the fruit of his own meditations, they would constitute a most extraordinary example of early prudence and thoughtfulness. Some of the rules which form a part of this youthful code of manners and morals had their influence over Washington, and gave a complexion to his habits through life. That a boy of twelve or thirteen years should compile such a code of manners and morals, shows, unmistakably, the bent of his mind. We discover valuable elements of character in the formation and execution of such a purpose. It is equally true, also, that his book of prose and poetical extracts reveals his taste and aims no less surely than his "Rules." The following extract, taken from that manuscript volume, tells about the same story of the boy as his "Rules of Behavior" tell:-- "These are the things, which, once possessed, Will make a life that's truly blest; A good estate on healthy soil, Not got by vice, nor yet by toil; Round a warm fire a pleasant joke, With chimney ever free from smoke; A strength entire, a sparkling bowl, A quiet wife, a quiet soul; A mind, as well as body, whole; Prudent simplicity, constant friends, A diet which no art commends, A merry night without much drinking, A happy thought without much thinking. Each night by quiet sleep made short, A will to be but what thou art: Possessed of these, all else defy, And neither wish nor fear to die; These are the things, which, once possessed, Will make a life that's truly blest." His strong love for simple, pure, domestic life appears in this selection--a love for which he was distinguished to the day of his death.