George Washington's Rules - #28

This week's Rule is Rule #28:

28th	If any one come to Speak to you while you are are Sitting Stand up though he be your Inferior, and when you Present Seats let it be to every one according to his Degree.

Which seems to mean - if someone comes to speak to you while you are sitting, stand up to speak to him (even if he is your inferior). And when you seat guests who are visiting you, seat them according to their level of importance.

This reflects the thinking of levels of aristocracy that was practiced in Great Britain before the American Revolution, since the colonies were at that time part of Great Britain.