New York State Test Prep Social Studies 5 (Grade 4) Colonial and Revolutionary Period in NY

“Rules of Civility” from a text by John T. Phillips
as copied by George Washington

When George Washington was a young boy, in 1700's colonial America, he copied the 110 "rules of civility" found in a textbook. He copied them as neatly as he could with a quill pen and ink. He hoped that by copying them, it would help him to some day be a fine gentleman. Below are just a few of the rules he copied. Read these rules and follow the directions.

Note: Spelling and capitalization errors have been transcribed (copied) as they appeared in the original document.

2d    When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not
             usualy Discovered.
4      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.
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 them.
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.
24th   Do not laugh too loud or too much at any Publick Spectacle
97th   Put not another bit into your Mouth til the former be Swallowed [l]et not
             your Morsels be too big for the Gowls.
98th Drink not nor talk with your mouth full neither Gaze about you while you
             are a Drinking.

Directions: Base your answers to the questions below on the information above, and your knowledge of social studies.

1. How many of the 110 rules are shown here? _______________________

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2. What kind of rules are these? __________________________________________

3. Name two of these rules, using your own words, that you are expected to follow at your

house.____________________________________________________

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4. What do these "rules of civility" tell us about the customs, or way of life, of people living in colonial America in the 18th century?

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