"DEAR WASHINGTON: Yesterday's mail brought me your letter of the
twelfth instant, and under cover of this letter you will receive a
ten dollar bill, to purchase a gown, &c., if proper. But as the
classes may be distinguished by a different insignia, I advise you
not to provide these without first obtaining the approbation of
your tutors; otherwise you may be distinguished more by folly than
by the dress.

"It affords me pleasure to hear that you are agreeably fixed; and I
receive still more from the assurance you give of attending closely
to your studies. It is you yourself who is to derive immediate
benefit from these. Your country may do it hereafter. The more
knowledge you acquire, the greater will be the probability of your
succeeding in both, and the greater will be your thirst for more.

"I rejoice to hear you went through your examination with
propriety, and have no doubt but that the president has placed you
in the class which he conceived best adapted to the present state
of your improvement. The more there are above you, the greater your
exertions should be to ascend; but let your promotion result from
your own application, and from intrinsic merit, not from the labors
of others. The last would prove fallacious, and expose you to the
reproach of the daw in borrowed feathers. This would be inexcusable
in you, because there is no occasion for it, forasmuch as you need
nothing but the exertion of the talents you possess, with proper
directions, to acquire all that is necessary; and the hours
allotted for study, if properly improved, will enable you to do
this. Although the confinement may feel irksome at first, the
advantages resulting from it, to a reflecting mind, will soon
overcome it.

"Endeavor to conciliate the good will of _all_ your
fellow-students, rendering them every act of kindness in your
power. Be particularly obliging and attentive to your chamber-mate,
Mr. Forsyth; who, from the account I have of him, is an admirable
young man, and strongly impressed with the importance of a liberal
and finished education. But, above all, be obedient to your tutors,
and in a particular manner respect the president of the seminary,
who is both learned and good.

"For any particular advantages you may derive from the attention