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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGlenn Wiggins (2)George ♦ 1 Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour eorge Washington, sometime before the age of 16, transcribed Rules of Civility& Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation. Original. errors in numbering have been corrected; original spelling is unchanged. For reprints or for more information, please contact: %�'j��JC/?L�Cf�llllf ��:�L��r�l�q ��C�C{7ZllClr <fll Pott Office Bos 1776 • Williamsburg, Virginia 23187 1 -888 -CWF -1776 • www.history.org V2011 The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation GEORGE WASHINGTON'S RULES OF CIVILITY & DECENT BEHAVIOUR IN COMPANY AND CONVERSATION I st Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present. 2d When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usualy Discovered. 3d Shew Nothing to your Freind that may affright him. 4th In the Presence of Others Sing not to yourself with a humming Noise, nor Drum with your Fingers or Feet. 5th If You Cough, Sneeze, Sigh, or Yawn, do it not Loud but Privately; and Speak not in your Yawning, but put Your handkercheif or Hand before your face and turn aside. M 6th Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop. 7th Put not off your Cloths in the presence of Others, nor go out your Chamber half Drest. 8th At Play and at Fire its Good manners to Give Place to the last Commer, and affect not to Speak Louder than Ordinary. 9th 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. 10th When you Sit down, Keep your Feet firm and Even, without putting one on the other or Crossing them. 11 th Shift not yourself in the Sight of others nor Gnaw your nails. Page z 12th Shake not the head, Feet, or Legs rowl not the Eys lift not one eyebrow higher than the other wry not the mouth, and bedew no mans face with your Spittle, by approaching too near him when you Speak. 13th 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 Cloths of your Companions, Put it off privately, and if it be upon your own Cloths return Thanks to him who puts it off. 14th Turn not your Back to others especially in Speaking, Jog not the Table or Desk on which Another reads or writes, lean not upon any one. 15th Keep your Nails clean and Short, also your Hands and Teeth Clean yet without Shewing any great Concern for there. 0 16th 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 too Close. 17th Be no Flatterer, neither Play with any that delights not to be Play'd Withal. 18th 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 unless desired or give your opinion of them unask'd also look not nigh when another is writing a Letter. 19th Let your Countenance be pleasant but in Serious Matters Somewhat grave. 20th The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourse you are upon 21st Reproach none for the Infirmaties of Nature, nor Delight to Put them that have in mind thereof. 22d Shew not yourself glad at the Misfortune of another though he were your enemy. 23d When you see a Crime punished, you may be inwardly Pleased; but always shew Pity to the Suffering Offender. 24th Do not laugh too loud or too much at any Publick Spectacle. 25th Superfluous Complements and all Affectation of Ceremonie are to be avoided, yet where due they are not to be Neglected. 26th 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 the Person. Amongst your equals expect not always that they Should begin with you first, but to Pull off the Hat when there is no need is Affectation, in the Manner of Saluting and resaluting in words keep to the most usual Custom. Page 4 Page 5 27th Tis ill manners to bid one more eminent than yourself be covered as well as not to do it to whom it's due Likewise he that makes too much haste to Put on his hat does not well, yet he ought to Put it on at the first, or at most the Second time of being ask'd; now what is herein Spoken, of Qualification in behaviour in Saluting, ought also to be observed in taking of Place, and Sitting down for ceremonies without Bounds is troublesome. 28th If any one come to Speak to you while you are are Sitting Stand up tho he be your Inferiour, and when you Present Seats let it be to every one according to his Degree. 29th When you meet with one of Greater Quality than yourself, Stop, and retire especially if it be at a Door or any Straight place to give way for him to Pass. 30th In walking the highest Place in most Countrys 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 middest Place is the most Honourable the wall is usually given to the most worthy if two walk together. 31 st If any one far Surpassess others, either in age, Estate, or Merit yet would give Place to a meaner than himself in his own lodging or elsewhere the one ought not to except it, So he on the other part should not use much earnestness nor offer it above once or twice. 32d To one that is your equal, or not much inferior you are to give the cheif Place in your Lodging and he to who `tis offered ought at the first to refuse it but at the Second to accept though not without acknowledging his own unworthiness. Page G Page 7 33d They that are in Dignity or in office have 38th In visiting the Sick, do not Presently in all places Preceedency but whilst they play the Physicion if you be not are Young they ought to respect those Knowing therein. that are their equals in Birth or other Qualitys, though they have no 39th In writing or Speaking, give to every Publick charge. Person his due Title According to his 34th It is good Manners to prefer them to Degree & the Custom of the Place. whom we Speak before ourselves especially if they be above us with whom in no Sort we ought to begin. 35th Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive. 36th Artificers & Persons of low Degree ought not to use many ceremonies to Lords, or Others of high Degree but Respect and highly Honour them, and those of high Degree ought to treat them with affibility & Courtesie, without Arrogancy. 37th In Speaking to men of Quality do not lean nor Look them full in the Face, nor approach too near them at lest Keep a full Pace from them. Page 8 40th Strive not with your Superiers in argument, but always Submit your Judgment to others with Modesty. 41st Undertake not to Teach your equal in the art himself Proffesses; it Savours of arrogancy. 42d Let thy ceremonies in Courtesie be proper to the Dignity of his place with whom thou conversest for it is absurd to act the same with a Clown and a Prince. 43d Do not express Joy before one sick or in pain for that contrary Passion will aggravate his Misery. Page 9 44th When a man does all he can though it 49th Use no Reproachfull Language against Succeeds not well blame not him that any one neither Curse nor Revile. did it. 50th Be not hasty to beleive flying Reports to 45th Being to advise or reprehend any one, the Disparagement of any. consider whether it ought to be in 51 st Wear not your Cloths, foul, unript or publick or in Private; presently, or at Dusty but See they be Brush'd once Some other time in what terms to do it & every day at least and take heed that you in reproving Shew no Sign of Cholar but approach not to any Uncleaness. do it with all Sweetness and Mildness. Stokings sit neatly, and Cloths handsomely. 46th Take all Admonitions thankfully in what Time or Place Soever given but afterwards not being culpable take a Time & Place convenient to let him him know it that gave them. 52d 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. 47th Mock not nor Jest at any thing of 53d Run not in the Streets, neither go too Importance break no Jest that are Sharp slowly nor with Mouth open go not Biting and if you Deliver any thing witty Shaking yr Arms kick not the earth with and Pleasent abstain from Laughing yr feet, go not upon the Toes, nor in a there at yourself. Dancing fashion. 48th Wherein wherein you reprove Another 54th Play not the Peacock, looking every be unblameable yourself; for example is where about you, to See if you be well more prevalent than Precepts. Deck't, if your Shoes fit well if your Stokings sit neatly, and Cloths handsomely. Page 10 Page I1 55th Eat not in the Streets, nor in the House, 59th Never express anything unbecoming, out of Season. nor Act agst the Rules Moral before your inferiours. 56th Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own j 60th Be not immodest in urging your Freinds Reputation; for `tis better to be alone to Discover a Secret. than in bad Company. 61st Utter not base and frivilous things 57th In walking up and Down in a House, amongst grave and Learn'd Men nor only with One in Company if he be very Difficult Questians or Subjects, Greater than yourself, at the first give among the Ignorant or things hard to be him the Right hand and Stop not till he believed, Stuff not your Discourse does and be not the first that turns, and with Sentences amongst your Betters when you do turn let it be with your face nor Equals. towards him, if he be a Man of Great Quality, walk not with him Cheek by 62d Speak not of doleful Things in a Time Joul but Somewhat behind him; but yet of Mirth or at the Table; Speak not of in Such a Manner that he may easily Melancholy Things as Death and Speak to you. Wounds, and if others Mention them Change if you can the Discourse tell 58th Let your Conversation be without not your Dreams, but to your Malice or Envy, for `tis a Sign of a intimate Friend. Tractable and Commendable Nature: And in all Causes of Passion admit 63d A Man ought not to value himself of his Reason to Govern. Atchievements, or rare Qualities of wit; much less of his riches Virtue or Kindred. Page 12 Page 13 16 64th Break not a Jest where none take pleasure in mirth Laugh not aloud, nor at all without Occasion, deride no mans Misfortune, tho' there Seem to be Some cause. 65th Speak not injurious Words neither in Jest nor Earnest Scoff at none although they give Occasion. 66th Be not forward but friendly and Courteous; the first to Salute hear and answer & be not Pensive when it's a time to Converse. 67th Detract not from others neither be excessive in Commanding. 70th Reprehend not the imperfections of others for that belongs to Parents Masters and Superiours. 71st Gaze not on the marks or blemishes of Others and ask not how they came. What you may Speak in Secret to your Friend deliver not before others. 72d Speak not in an unknown Tongue in Company but in your own Language and that as those of Quality do and not as the Vulgar; Sublime matters treat Seriously. 73d Think before you Speak pronounce not imperfectly nor bring out your Words too hastily but orderly & distinctly. 68th Go not thither, where you know not, 74th whether you Shall be Welcome or not. Give not Advice without being Ask'd & when desired do it briefly. 69th If two contend together take not the part of either unconstrained; and be not obstinate in your own Opinion, in Things indiferent be of the Major Side. When Another Speaks be attentive your Self and disturb not the Audience if any hesitate in his Words help him not nor Prompt him without desired, Interrupt him not, nor Answer him till his Speech be ended. Page 14 Page 15 Fe 75th In the midst of Discourse ask not of what one treateth but if you Perceive any Stop because of your coming you may well intreat him gently to Proceed: If a Person of Quality comes in while your Conversing it's handsome to Repeat what was said before. 76th While you are talking, Point not with your Finger at him of Whom you Discourse nor Approach too near him to whom you talk especially to his face. 77th Treat with men at fit Times about Business & Whisper not in the Company of Others. 78th Make no Comparisons and if any of the Company be Commended for any brave act of Vertue, commend not another for the Same. 79th Be not apt to relate News if you know not the truth thereof. In Discoursing of things you Have heard Name not your Author always A Secret Discover not. 80th Be not Tedious in Discourse or in reading unless you find the Company pleased therewith. 81st Be not Curious to Know the Affairs of Others neither approach those that Speak in Private. 82d Undertake not what you cannot perform but be carefull to keep your promise. 83d When you deliver a matter do it without passion & with discretion, however mean the person be you do it too. 84th When your Superiours talk to any Body hearken not neither Speak nor Laugh. 85th In Company of these of Higher Quality than yourself Speak not til you are ask'd a Question then Stand upright put of your Hat & Answer in few words. R,;z 16 P�,,e 17 86th In Disputes, be not So Desireous to Overcome as not to give Liberty to each one to deliver his Opinion and Submit to the Judgment of the Major Part especially if they are Judges of the Dispute. 87th Let thy carriage be such as becomes a Man Grave Settled and attentive to that which is spoken. Contradict not at every turn what others Say. 88th Be not tedious in Discourse, make not many Digressigns, nor repeat often the Same manner of Discourse. 89th Speak not Evil of the absent for it is unjust. 90th Being Set at meat Scratch not neither Spit Cough or blow your Nose except there's a Necessity for it. 91st Make no Shew of taking great Delight in your Victuals, Feed not with Greediness; cut your Bread with a Knife, lean not on the Table neither End fault with what you Eat. 92d Take no Salt or cut Bread with your Knife Greasy. 93d Entertaining any one at table it is decent to present him wt. meat, Undertake not to help others undesired by the Master. 94th If you Soak bread in the Sauce let it be no more than what you put in your Mouth at a time and blow not your broth at Table but Stay till Cools of it Self. 95th Put not your meat to your Mouth with your Knife in your hand neither Spit forth the Stones of any fruit Pye upon a Dish nor Cast anything under the table. 96th It's unbecoming to Stoop much to ones Meat Keep your Fingers clean & when foul wipe them on a Corner of your Table Napkin. 97th Put not another bit into your Mouth til the former be Swallowed let not your Morsels be too big for the Gowls. Page 18 Page 19 98th Drink not nor talk with your mouth full neither Gaze about you while you are a Drinking. 99th Drink not too leisurely nor yet too hastily. Before and after Drinking wipe your Lips breath not then or Ever with too Great a Noise, for its uncivil. 100th Cleanse not your teeth with the Table Cloth Napkin Fork or Knife but if Others do it let it be done wt. a Pick Tooth. 101 st Rince not your Mouth in the Presence of Others. 1024 It is out of use to call upon the Company often to Eat nor need you Drink to others every Time you Drink. 103d In Company of your Betters be not longer in eating than they are lay not your Arm but only your hand upon the table. 104th It belongs to the Chiefest in Company to unfold his Napkin and fall to Meat first, But he ought then to Begin in time & to Dispatch with Dexterity that the Slowest may have time allowed him. 105th Be not Angry at Table whatever happens & if you have reason to be so, Shew it not but on a Chearfull Countenance especially if there be Strangers for Good Humour makes one Dish of Meat a Feast. 106th Set not yourself at the upper of the Table but if it Be your Due or that the Master of the house will have it So, Contend not, least you Should Trouble the Company. 107th If others talk at Table be attentive but talk not with Meat in your Mouth. 108th When you Speak of God or his Atributes, let it be Seriously & wt. Reverence. Honour & Obey your Natural Parents altho they be Poor. Page ZO Pag,�21 109th Let your Recreations be Manfull not Sinfull. 110th Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Celestial fire Called Conscience. Finis ©The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation 2011. From www.history.org/Almanack/life/manners/rules2 cfm, reprinted from Washington, George. Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation: a Book of Etiquette. Williamsburg, VA: Beaver Press, 1971. �hrilliamsburg was the thriving capital of Virginia when the dream of American freedom and independence was taking shape. For 81 formative years, from 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg was the political, cultural, and educational center of what was then the largest, most populous, and most influential of the American colonies. It was here that the fundamental concepts of our republic — responsible leadership, a sense of public service, self-government, and individual liberty — were nurtured under the leadership of patriots such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, and Peyton Randolph. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation continues to tell the timeless story of our nation's founding to the people of today. Our mission, "That the Future May Learn from the Past," is built upon our Founding Fathers' legacy of freedom and liberty. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational institution. Ra,e 22 Page 23 Post Office Box 1 776 • Williamsburg, Virginia 23187 1-888-CWF-1776 • «vww.history.org