As it was I attended a school in Philadelphia--the Protestant Episcopal Academy--came home to Tennessee in 1856, and after a season with private tutors found myself back in the national capital in 1858.
It was then that I began to nurse some ambitions of my own.

I was going to be a great man of letters.

I was going to write histories and dramas and romances and poetry.

But as I had set up for myself I felt in honor bound meanwhile to earn my own living.
III I take it that the early steps of every man to get a footing may be of interest when fairly told.

I sought work in New York with indifferent success.