y, think seriously of the advantages which are to
be derived, on the one hand, from the steady pursuit of a course of
study to be marked out by your preceptor, whose judgment,
experience, and acknowledged abilities, enables him to direct them;
and, on the other hand, revolve as seriously on the consequences
which would inevitably result from an indisposition to this
measure, or from an idle habit of hankering after unprofitable
amusements at your time of life, before you have acquired that
knowledge which would be found beneficial in every situation--I say
_before_, because it is not my wish that, having gone through the
essentials, you should be deprived of any rational amusement
_afterward_; or, lastly, from dissipation in such company as you
would most likely meet under such circumstances, who but too often
mistake ribaldry for wit, and rioting, swearing, intoxication, and
gambling, for manliness."

Young Custis was placed in the college at Annapolis in the spring of
1798, when Washington wrote to Mr. M'Dowell, the president, as
follows:--

"Mr. Custis possesses competent talents to fit him for any studies,
but they are counteracted by an indolence of mind which renders it
difficult to draw them into action. Doctor Stuart having been an
attentive observer of this, I shall refer you to him for the
development of the causes, while justice from me requires I should
add, that I know of no vice to which this inertness can be
attributed. From drinking and gaming he is perfectly free; and if
he has a propensity to any other impropriety, it is hidden from me.
He is generous, and regardful of truth.

"As his family, fortune, and talents (if the latter can be
improved), give him just pretensions to become a useful member of
society in the councils of his country, his friends, and none more
than myself, are extremely desirous that his education should be
liberal, polished, and suitable for this end."

Young Custis did not remain long at Annapolis. He was now eighteen years
of age, and his mind was filled with visions of military glory. He
received the appointment of cornet of horse, early in January, 1799, and
was soon afterward promoted to the position of aid-de-camp to General
Pinckney. As the army was not called to the field, he remained at Mount
Vernon, awaiting orders. Meanwhile, W