05. Paysons Early Literary Training.

Paysons Early Literary Training. This was conducted principally by his parents, excepting the studies preparatory to college, which were pursued, in part, at least, at a neighboring academy. He entered Harvard College in 1800, at seventeen years of age, at an advanced standing, and with the reputation of being a magnanimous, honorable, generous youth. Here he was known and respected for the purity of his morals, the regularity of his habits, and his amiable disposition ; as also for his mental industry. He had at college the reputation of being a " great reader." His fellow-students, before knowing the rapidity with which he acquired knowledge, and the strength and tenacity of his memory, rallied him as having a machine to turn over the leaves ; and, at another time, as having left off taking out books, because he had read all of the thousands in the alcoves of Old Harvard. After graduating, in 1803, he spent three years as principal of an academy in Portland, and commanded the esteem and veneration of his pupils.