From: Andrea Pawlowski
Date: 2/8/00
Time: 12:30:58 AM
Remote Name: 155.247.156.224
For my assignment I chose to answer two of the questions dealing with George Washington and “The Exercise of a Schoolboy”. The first question is “What do the rules say about his attitudes on good manners and personal hygiene?” Washington is expressing his strong feelings of being polite and courteous. He feels that we, the people, should behave in public and always be respectful. A few examples of this are; the 13th rule talks about if someone removed a bug from your clothing, for example, never forget to be thankful. This rule suggests that we should always say thank you. It is important to thank those who have helped you and do not forget to help others, as they have done for you. This concept also goes along with rule #91 which states “...lean not on the table neither find fault with what you eat.” By saying this Washington means that we should always be grateful and not take what we have for granted. “Reprehend not the imperfections of others for that belongs to Parents Masters and Superiours” is rule #70. He is saying that it is not our job nor our place to correct people and find their faults. If they are under our care than it is acceptable but if not that simply we should stay out of their business. In rule #15 Washington states that you should always have short and clean nails and the same goes for the hands and teeth. This is referring to when people meet each other. They often shake each other’s hand and give a smile because it is a polite gesture, therefore people should be well groomed and look their best. All of his rules demonstrate that he was a man of gratitude and thankfulness. I feel that Washington was so concerned with these rules at the age of sixteen because even though that is considered a teenager in today’s society back then if a child lived to the age of sixteen he was lucky and old. Because of such a high rate of disease and the conditions of living it was difficult to live a long life. I think that Washington felt that these rules were important right from the beginning of one’s life. That people should be aware of how lucky they are to have what they have and be grateful for it.