He unmistakably gave his preference to men of learning and refinement, at least he put these above other recommendations.
Mr. Jefferson, however, was not consistent with himself, for he frequently called General Washington "Your Excellency," during the war, and also when he was a private citizen at Mt. Vernon.
EVIL YOUTHFUL COMPANIONS.
Just after his college days Mr. Jefferson fell into company, as so many young men do, of a most undesirable sort.
According to his own statements it was a source of amazement even to himself that he ever escaped to be worth anything to the world. He realized in later years what a dangerous risk he had run.
READ LITTLE FICTION.
While he was an extensive reader in his early days, going into almost every field of literature, including poetry, he read very little fiction.
In fact, there was comparatively but little fiction then worth the name. Not from any sentiment of duty or moral impropriety, but from simple aversion he let it alone.