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
... thought of relating such a story in connection with the boyhood of Napoleon Bonaparte.24 With similar equivocations , this approach is evident in a children's book published as recently as 1954 : Stories about George Washington as a boy ...
... thought of relating such a story in connection with the boyhood of Napoleon Bonaparte.24 With similar equivocations , this approach is evident in a children's book published as recently as 1954 : Stories about George Washington as a boy ...
Page 56
... thought , he threw down his mimic plough , and ran to me saying , " High ! Ma ! what makes you call so angry ! ' an't I a good boy - don't I always run to you soon as I hear you call ? ” I could make no reply , but just threw up my arms ...
... thought , he threw down his mimic plough , and ran to me saying , " High ! Ma ! what makes you call so angry ! ' an't I a good boy - don't I always run to you soon as I hear you call ? ” I could make no reply , but just threw up my arms ...
Page 64
... thoughts are not there they are travelling like sun - beams over all the earth . Britain and America , with all their ... thought of this most desirable of all events , the parent soul of the great orator is stirred within him ; his aged ...
... thoughts are not there they are travelling like sun - beams over all the earth . Britain and America , with all their ... thought of this most desirable of all events , the parent soul of the great orator is stirred within him ; his aged ...
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