The Life of WashingtonThe effect of this "single, immortal, and dubious anecdote," and others like it, has made this book one of the most influential in the history of American folklore. Originally published as an eighty-page pamphlet entitled The Life and Memorable Actions of George Washington, it quickly attained immense popularity. In 1806 a so-called fifth edition was published which contained for the first time the tale of George Washington and the cherry tree; the book has survived to this day, although largely on the basis of that episode. This volume follows the text of the ninth (1809) printing, which included all the famous anecdotes. This republication is unique in its detailed commentary on Mason Weems and other biographers of Washington. |
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Page x
... Weems appealed for help to the American Minister at The Hague , John Adams . This was late in 1783 , or possibly ... Parson Weems : A Biographical and Critical Study ( Baltimore , 1911 ) , a rather slight work ; Harold Kellock , Parson ...
... Weems appealed for help to the American Minister at The Hague , John Adams . This was late in 1783 , or possibly ... Parson Weems : A Biographical and Critical Study ( Baltimore , 1911 ) , a rather slight work ; Harold Kellock , Parson ...
Page xiii
... Weems was on the road , selling his own and other works wherever there prom- ised to be a likely audience . He died ... Parson Weems , " William & Mary Quarterly , 2nd series , 23 : 272-277 ( July 1943 ) . Weems writes that he is " very ...
... Weems was on the road , selling his own and other works wherever there prom- ised to be a likely audience . He died ... Parson Weems , " William & Mary Quarterly , 2nd series , 23 : 272-277 ( July 1943 ) . Weems writes that he is " very ...
Page lx
... Parson Weems ? It is of a man of varied and un- focussed talents , of exuberant and unwinking assurance — and yet in political and other matters a trimmer , a Vicar of Bray more than a Vicar of Wakefield . He expresses himself dash ...
... Parson Weems ? It is of a man of varied and un- focussed talents , of exuberant and unwinking assurance — and yet in political and other matters a trimmer , a Vicar of Bray more than a Vicar of Wakefield . He expresses himself dash ...
Contents
CONTENTS | xvi |
Introduction by Marcus Cunliffe ix | lxii |
Birth and Education | 6 |
Copyright | |
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Aaron Bancroft American André anecdotes arms army Arnold battle beloved biography blessings blood Braddock brave British brother called Carey character cherry-tree Colonel command congress countrymen dear death Douglas Southall Freeman duty edition enemy equal eyes father favour fight fire Fort Duquesne French friends gentlemen George Washington give glorious glory governor governor Dinwiddie hand happy heard hearing heart Heaven Henry Cabot Lodge heroes honour human Indian industry instantly Jared Sparks John John Harvard labours land letters liberty look Lord Lord North man-the Mathew Carey mind mother Mount Vernon nation never officers Parson Weems parties passions patriotism Payne peace Philadelphia poor religion roaring sent ships Skeel soon soul spirit story sword Tarleton tears thing thousand thunder tion troops true Virginia virtue virtuous Washing Washington Irving Weems Weems's Weemsian whigs wish York young youth