I have described enough of my early life to give an impression of the whole. I did not like to work, but I did as much of it, while young, as grown men can be hired to do in these days, and attended school at the same time. I had as many privileges as any boy in the village, and probably more than most of them. I have no
recollection of ever having been punished at home, either by scolding or by the rod. But at school the case was different. The rod was freely used there, and I was
not exempt from its influence. [...] John D. White the school teacher
now, with his long beech switch always in his hand. It was not always the same
one, either. Switches were brought in bundles, from a beech wood near the school house, by the boys for whose benefit they were intended. Often a
whole bundle would be used up in a single day. I never had any hard feelings against my teacher, either while attending the school, or in later years when
reflecting upon my experience. Mr. White was a kindhearted man, and was much respected by the community in which he lived. He only followed the universal
custom of the period, and that under which he had received his own education.
In the winter of 1838-9 I was attending school at Ripley, only ten miles distant from Georgetown, but spent the Christmas holidays at home. During this vacation my
father received a letter from the Honorable Thomas Morris, then United States Senator from Ohio. When he read it he said to me, "Ulysses, I believe you are
going to receive the appointment." "What appointment?" | inquired. "To West Point, I have applied for it. "But I won't go," said.
To which of the senses do the lines in bold appeal?
O Seeing
O Feeling
O Hearing
Tasting