The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-02-02
HOW OUR PRESIDENTS WERE
EDUCATED.

Washington's early education ex-
tended only to the elementary English
branches and the higher mathematics,
of which he was very fond. He was
not especially studious, but excelled in
feats of agility and strength, and was
fond of military exercises. He followed
the calling of a surveyor from sixteen
until nineteen, when he entered the
military service.
John Adams enjoyed the best facili-
ties of his day of education, graduating
from Harvard College at nineteen. He
then engaged in teaching, and at the
same time studied law. He was admit
ted to the bar at twenty-three, and his
success was soon made certain by the
signal ability which he displayed.
Thomas Jefferson entered an ele-
mentary school at five years of age,
and began the study Of Latin. Greek
and French at nine. AT seventeen he
entered William and Mary College,
where he remained two years only.
After leaving college, he studied law,
and was admitted to the bar at twenty
four.
James Madison's early life was con-
slant struggle with i'll health, which
seriously interfered with his desire to
gain an education. He nevertheless
graduated from Princeton College at
twenty-one, after which he studied law.
He was devoted to mental improve
ment, was a thorough Bible student,
and of religious turn OF mind.
James Monroe entered William and
Mary College at sixteen, but left it at
eighteen, to join the Continental army,
where he soon rose to the rank of col
onel. Leaving the army, he studied law,
and was elected to the Legislature when
only twenty-three years of age.
John Quincy Adams education was
conducted in good measure abroad,
during his fathers residence in Paris,
Leyden, Amsterdam, and other Eu-
ropean cities. At fourteen, he was
private secretary to the United States
Minister to Russia. Returning home,
he graduated from Harvard College at
twenty-one. He then studied law and
practiced it IN Boston.
Andrew Jackson studied literature
and the dead languages at Waxhaw
Academy. At eighteen he abandoned
the idea of entering the ministry, for
which he was intended by his mother,
and studied law. He was admitted TO
the bar at nineteen, and chosen repre-
sentative to Congress at twenty nine.
Martin VanBuren received a good
academic education, and early showed
great mental vigor and quickness of
comprehension. He was especially
fond of composition and public speak
ing. He began the study of law at
fourteen, and was admitted to the bar
at twenty-one.
William Henry Harrison was educat-
ed at Hampden Sidney College, and
afterwards began the study OF medicine.
He was diverted from this to JON the
army, serving against the savages on
the western frontier.
John Tyler was a brilliant student,
and graduated at William and Mary
College at seventeen, with the reputa-
ton of having delivered the best COM
mencement Grafton ever heard by the
faculty. He then read law and began
to practice it at nineteen, meeting with
unusual success.
James X Polk, though reared on
back woods farm, at an early age mani
tested decided literary tastes. HIS
father desired him to be a merchant,
but finally consented to his entering
the University OF North Carolina, from
which he graduated with the highest
honors at twenty.three. He then stud
led law, and began practice at Colum-
bia.
Zachary Taylor's boyhood was spent
IN wilderness, surrounded by hostile
Indians, and with decidedly limited
educational advantages. He early en-
tered the army, and was commissioned
lieutenant at twenty-four.
Millard Fillmore's father was poor
farmer unable to educate him. At four
teen he was apprenticed to a clothier,
but found time to crafty his thirst for
knowledge by spending his evenings in
reading and study. His studious habits
attracted the attention of a neighboring
lawyer, who assisted him to study law
and general literature. AT twenty three
he was admitted to the bar and rose
rapidly to distinction.
Franklin Pierce graduated at Bow
doin College at sixteen, being a class