May 26 True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation. George Washington, 1st President, 1789-1797, from a letter written to his nephew, Bushrod Washington, January 15, 1783. Apparently, Bushrod was on his way to Philadelphia to study law and his father was concerned about Bushrod's youth and protecting his limited financial resources, as well as developing good friendships and maintaining his focus and reputation. George had been asked to write to Bushrod to give a guiding hand. (Who would be better to give advice than "The Father of our Country"?)..."Dear Bushrod: You will be surprised perhaps at receiving a letter from me; but if the end is answered for which it is written, I shall not think my time miss-spent. Your Father, who seems to entertain a very favorable opinion of your prudence, and I hope you merit it: in one or two of his letters to me, speaks of the difficulty he is under to make you remittances...when I take a view of the inexperience of Youth, the temptations in, and vices of Cities...as a friend, I give you the following advice. Let the object, which carried you to Philadelphia, be always before your Eyes; remember, that it is not the mere study of the Law, but to become eminent in the Profession of it (and)let the second be your ambition. and that dissipation is incompatible with both. That the Company in which you will improve most, will be least expensive to you...of the young and juvenile kind let me advise you to be choice. It is easy to make acquaintances, but very difficult to shake them off, however irksome and unprofitable they are found after we have once committed ourselves to them; the indiscretions, and scrapes which very often they involuntarily lead one into, proves equally distressing and disgraceful. Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence; true friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation. Do not conceive that fine Clothes make fine Men, any more than fine feathers make fine Birds. The last thing I shall mention, is first of importance. and that is, to avoid Gaming...It has been the ruin of many worthy familys; the loss of many a man's honor. ...It will add not a little to my happiness, to find those, to whom I am so nearly connected, pursuing the right walk of life; it will be the sure road to my favor, and to those honors, and places of profit, which their Country can bestow, as merit rarely goes unrewarded.