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 xxiii
... Virginia F. Townsend writes of her efforts in 1887 : The material for a biography is , at this early period , rather scanty . The story of the hatchet and the cherry sapling , whether true or not , is singularly characteristic . It ...
... Virginia F. Townsend writes of her efforts in 1887 : The material for a biography is , at this early period , rather scanty . The story of the hatchet and the cherry sapling , whether true or not , is singularly characteristic . It ...
Page lv
... Virginia . It was unfortunate for him that the Episcopalians were so closely tied with the mother country ; for this made his ordination difficult , and the situation in Maryland chaotic . More credit to him , we might say , for ...
... Virginia . It was unfortunate for him that the Episcopalians were so closely tied with the mother country ; for this made his ordination difficult , and the situation in Maryland chaotic . More credit to him , we might say , for ...
Page 7
... Virginia , the 22d of February , 1732. His father , whose name was Augustin Washington , was also a Virginian , but his grandfather ( John ) was an Englishman , who came over and settled in Virginia in 1657 . His father fully persuaded ...
... Virginia , the 22d of February , 1732. His father , whose name was Augustin Washington , was also a Virginian , but his grandfather ( John ) was an Englishman , who came over and settled in Virginia in 1657 . His father fully persuaded ...
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