The Life of Washington: A New Edition with Primary Documents and Introduction by Peter S. OnufWeems's Life of Washington was one of the first great bestsellers in American literature. Washington, you know is gone, wrote Mason Locke Weems to Philadelphia publisher Mathew Carey, and millions are gaping to read something about him. In responding to this market, Weems played an essential role in fabricating the image of Washington that has since dominated the American historical imagination and which, in its time, secured everlasting fame for the father of our country. This edition includes an introduction by Peter S. Onuf and documents from Washington's career that provide valuable insight into the construction of American national identity and that throw a provocative light on the mythmaking in which Weems engaged in writing one of the most enduring biographies in American folklore. |
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Page 8
... beloved Telemachus , than did Mr. Washington with George , to inspire him with an early love of truth . " Truth , George , " ( said he ) " is the loveliest quality of youth . I would ride fifty miles , my son , to see the little boy ...
... beloved Telemachus , than did Mr. Washington with George , to inspire him with an early love of truth . " Truth , George , " ( said he ) " is the loveliest quality of youth . I would ride fifty miles , my son , to see the little boy ...
Page 10
... beloved charge , soon to be a man , would be left exposed to numberless temptations , both from himself and from others , his heart throbbed with the tenderest anxiety to make him acquainted with that GREAT BEING , whom to know and love ...
... beloved charge , soon to be a man , would be left exposed to numberless temptations , both from himself and from others , his heart throbbed with the tenderest anxiety to make him acquainted with that GREAT BEING , whom to know and love ...
Page 14
... beloved father . But George was not long to enjoy the pleasure or the profit of such a companion ; for scarcely had he attained his tenth year , before his father was seized with the gout in the stomach , which carried him off in a few ...
... beloved father . But George was not long to enjoy the pleasure or the profit of such a companion ; for scarcely had he attained his tenth year , before his father was seized with the gout in the stomach , which carried him off in a few ...
Page 15
... beloved corse is let down to the stones of the pit , with streaming eyes he will rush to the brink , to take one more look , while his bursting heart will give thee its last trembling cry .... O my father ! my father ! But , though he ...
... beloved corse is let down to the stones of the pit , with streaming eyes he will rush to the brink , to take one more look , while his bursting heart will give thee its last trembling cry .... O my father ! my father ! But , though he ...
Page 36
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Common terms and phrases
American André apotheosis of Washington arms army Arnold battle beloved blessings blood Braddock brave Britain British British army brother called chapter character Colonel command congress countrymen danger dear death duty earth enemy equal eyes father favour Federalist fight fire Fort Duquesne Fort Necessity French friends gentlemen George Washington give glorious glory golden reign governor governor Dinwiddie hand happy heard hearing heart Heaven heroes Hessians honour hope human Indians instantly king labours land liberty look Lord Lord North ment mighty mind mother Mount Vernon nation never New-York noble Northern Neck numbers officers parties passions patriotism peace poor Pope's creek praise religion republican roaring sent ships smile soldier soon soul spirit Sullivan's Island sword Tarleton tears thing thousand thunder tion troops union victory Virginia virtue virtuous voice Washing Weems Weems's whigs wish young youth
Popular passages
Page 121 - Patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in Governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And, there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its...
Page 115 - Here, perhaps, I ought to stop. But a solicitude for your welfare, which cannot end but with my life, and the apprehension of danger, natural to that solicitude, urge me, on an occasion like...
Page 149 - Let it simply be asked, where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice ? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained •without religion.
Page 149 - ... that since he has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquillity, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government for the security of their Union and the advancement of their happiness, so his Divine blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the wise measures, on which the success of this government must depend.
Page 49 - They planted by your care! No, your oppressions planted them in America. They fled from your tyranny, to a then uncultivated and inhospitable country, where they exposed themselves to almost all the hardships to which human nature is liable, and, among others, to the cruelties of a savage foe, the most subtle, and I will take...
Page 150 - Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man. ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity.
References to this book
Myths in Stone: Religious Dimensions of Washington, D.C., Part 3 Jeffrey F. Meyer Limited preview - 2001 |
Presidential Places: A Guide to the Historic Sites of U.S. Presidents Gary W. Ferris No preview available - 1999 |