Though many of the rules deal with matters of etiquette--such as whom should rise for whom in mixed company--many concern far deeper matters that touch on personal philosophies about judgment honor success and conscience. As a peek into the manners of a bygone age this is an intriguing work. As a peek into a great mean in his formative years this is an extraordinary one. He was an American Founding Father and the new nation s first president but before that GEORGE WASHINGTON(1732-1799) was an excruciatingly correct child with a passion for propriety. At the age of 14 he copied out 110 rules for elegant deportment from a work created by Jesuits in the 16th century as a guide for young gentlemen of quality and through these rules which he took greatly to heart we can see the beginning of the man Washington would become taking shape.