Adventures and achievements of Americans; a series of narratives illustrating their heroism, self-reliance, genius and enterprise

Front matter

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Preface

Since when, by the right of birth and the lapse of years, we were privileged to walk up, take the freeman's oath, and drop a ballot in the little box, so potent in this government of " the people," we have been almost wholly engaged in the preparation and in the publication of books for circulation by traveling agents exclusively.

In the meanwhile, we have attained to a point where it has become " past meridian " with us, and we now pen the preface to our sixth octavo. All of these, derived from varied sources, original or published, in our own or in the language of others, have been constructed with an especial reference to the wants of that class, who, either from habit or their isolation, rarely or never enter a bookstore, and who would, in a measure, be destitute of the information imparted by books, were they not brought for purchase to their very doors. We have the gratifying evidence that among these our publications have been widely popular; and have proved the means, as we believe, of lasting pleasure and instruction to the inmates of many a humble cabin that dots the prairies or skirts the forests of the more remote West.

The title of this book was made before the book itself was begun. We have endeavored to adapt the contents to the name, in a collection of articles exhibiting national character, and mainly by individual examples. Such as are already sufficiently familiar to the public are, in general, not inserted, from a desire to render the work more attractive to our readers by its novelty. We have further aimed to gratify a variety of tastes, and to make this such, that it will be a favorite volume with every American family that may possess it.

This work, in its variety, is adapted to all classes ; both male and female, young and old, the Christian, the philanthropist, those who read simply for excitement and those who read solely for information, will all find it a source of pleasure. We believe there is no work of our day that tends so greatly to gratify one's patriotism — to make one glad that he is an American citizen — as this ; which shows so well the Heroism, Self-reliance, Genius and Enterprise of our Countrymen, in the Olden Time and in Our Time — in Peace and in War — on Land and on Sea — at Home and Abroad. Those who obtain it will be proud of the facts it contains, for there is much, very much in it to send a thrill of exultant joy to the heart of every American.

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iv PREFACE.

We terminate the book in the twenty-third article, by a choice collection of about one hundred specimens of American Poetry, selected with reference to diversified tastes and mental conditions. Contrary to general oiDinion, we believe that Poetry — giving that word a broad definition — is universally liked ; that is, some ideas expressed by versification please all, better than the same given in prose, though we do think that Poetry, usually, relishes and digests easier, if, like sweetmeats, it is taken in small quantities at a single sitting.

Our engravings, in the highest style of art, are by eminent American artists, and were designed expressly for the book. We add, for the information of certain of our readers, a fact which, as a publisher, it becomes us to state, that the expense of these alone, in cash, was to us more than the cost, at government price, of a square mile of our national domain ; yet, to many, this will be considered a u.seless expenditure, in view of the general want of appreciation of the excellent in Art, especially with the very large mass who judge of bulk, and not quality, in their guage of the cost of books, and who would be content with crude and cheap illustrations. But the " will do " is not our standard. We trust there is a vein of common sense, running through the great public, that in its final judgment duly appreciates those generous in their endeavors to render their offerings every Avay excellent.

But, not resting satisfied with even these, we have, at an additional expense of some four hundred dollars, had designed, ex^sressly for the subscribers of this work, by that Artist of surpassing skill, Mr. F. 0. C. Darley, and engraved in the mezzotint style, one of the most sublime and tragic scenes in American History, entitled, " The Last Words of Captain Nathan Hale, the Hero-Martyr of the American Revolution —

' Mij only reyret is, that I have but one life to lose for my country.' "

On the left in this beautiful steel engraving, is shown the fatal Tree, with the Ladder, Eope, CofiSn, and Negro Executioner. In front stands the majestic figure of the young Patriot^ and that of the brutal Provost Marshal, the infamous Major Cunningham ; who, true to his character, had denied ' Hale his dying request for the Bible, and had also destroyed his letters to his friends ; giving as reason for so doing, " that the Rebels might not know they had a man who could die with such firmness."

The Engraving is a "cabinet" picture. It is the first time that this subject has been delineated by Art, and we can but feel grateful that we have been the means of thus having it perpetuated for all coming time, and in a design, too, which so greatly honors American genius. Each subscriber is given a copy, which is separate from the work, that he may frame it, and adorn his walls with a scene so elevating in its tendency, as an example of

lofty Patriotism, and heroic Self-sacrifice.

H. H.

Cincinnati, Ohio, No. Ill Main-Street

Contents

THE HERO MARTYR.

, the Hero Martyr of the

tion. 15

Index To The Collection Of American Poetry

In those instances in which the poetry is prefaced with a notice of the author, his or her first name is given in full helow.

TITLE OP FOEMS.

Yomo; America Taking his First Steps The Death of Captain Nathan Hale..

The Convict to his Mother

'Footsteps of Angels

A Casfte iu the Air

Stanzas

The An erican Flag

Family Meeting

Sparkling and Bright

Song of tte Drunkards

A Whalina Song

The Wife:

The AVants of Man

Blessed are They that Mourn

The Day is Done

The Choice ^

Woodman, Spire that Tree

The Snow Stoim

The Life Vovas;e— A Ballad

On the Death of J. R. Drake

Old Songs

A Marriage Sonn;

The Yankee's Return from Camp. . .

Little Mary's Good Morning

Hail Columbia

The Battle Field

Resignation

The^'Last I«af

Old Grimes

Pictures of Memory

W'hen other Fiieuds are round Thee.

The Lapse of Time

The Coral Grove

A Psalm of Life.

Cora M. Eager

F. M. Fiuch

Anonymous

Henry W. Longfellow

Levi Frisbie

Richard H.Wilde

Joseph R. Drake

Charles Sprague

Chas. F. HolFman

Wm. B, Tappan

John Osboru

\nua P. Dcnnies

John Q. Adams

Susanna Rowson

Geo. P. Morris.

Seba Smith

Frances S. Osgood

Fitz-Greene Halleck. . . .

Willis Gavlord Clark....

Jas. W. Ward

Anonymous

.•Vnouymous

Francis Hopkinsou

W. C. Brvant

Oliver W. Holmes

Albert G. Greene

Alice C. Carey

G.P.Morris.'

:Jas. G. Percival

':H. \\. Lonirfellow

\fl

654 655

659 661

665 666 iG69

The Little Orator iThaddens Harris

You'd scarce expect One of ray Age ;David Everett

A Life on the Ocean Wave Epes Sargeant

The Settler 'Alfred B. Street

he Fire of Driftwood H. W. Longfellow 6/2

Song of Marion's Men W. C. Bryant b/4

The^Som; of Steam Geo. W. Cutter I"

Rhvme of the Rail Johu G. Saxe jb^.>

Snow Ralpli ^")'*^ 1 "

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