Historians and poets, statesmen and orators, have ever accorded to the mother of Washington a signal influence to determine his character and career. And so universal is this sentiment, that the American people consider that the noblest tribute to her memory is the inscription upon her monument:
MARY,
THE MOTHER OF
WASHINGTON.
VII.
YOUNG SURVEYOR.
"George can make his home with me, now that his school-days are over," said Lawrence to his mother, anxious to keep his young brother in his own family at Mount Vernon.
"But I need him more than you do," objected Mrs. Washington; "you can hardly imagine how I miss him."
"So do we miss him when he is not here," responded Lawrence. "George is good company, as much so as a man of twenty-five years of age. I want very much that he should make his home with me."
"I thought he might be of service to me in running the farm, and, at the same time, pursue his studies by himself," continued Mrs. Washington.
"He can study better with me," suggested Lawrence, "because I can assist him as well as not."