means of uniting Instruction with Pleasure ... to entice the youthful
mind to an acquaintance with a species of information [about the United
States] highly useful."

"The Juvenile Magazine, or Miscellaneous Repository of Useful
Information," issued in eighteen hundred and three, contained as its
only original contribution an article upon General Washington's will,
"an affecting and most original composition," wrote the editor. This was
followed seven years later by the well-known "Life of George
Washington," by M.L. Weems, in which was printed the now famous and
disputed cherry-tree incident. Its abridged form known to present day
nursery lore differs from the long drawn out account by Weems, who, like
Thomas Day, risked being diffuse in his desire to show plainly his
moral. The last part of the story sufficiently gives his manner of
writing:

"Presently George and his hatchet made their appearance. 'George,' said
his father, 'do you know who killed that beautiful little cherry tree
yonder in the garden?' That was a tough question; and George staggered
under it for a moment; but quickly recovered himself, and looking at his
father, with the sweet face of youth brightened with the inexpressible
charm of all conquering truth, he bravely cried out, 'I can't tell a
lie, Pa; you know I can't tell a lie. I did cut it with my hatchet!'
'Run to my arms, you dearest boy,' cried his father in transports, 'run
to my arms; glad am I, George, that you killed my tree; for you have
paid me for it a thousand fold. Such an act of heroism is worth more
than a thousand trees, though blossomed with silver, and their fruits of
purest gold.'"

Franklin's "Way to Wealth" was considered to be perfectly adapted to all
children's comprehension, and was issued by various publishers of
juvenile books. By eighteen hundred and eight it was illustrated and
sold "with fine engravings for twenty-five cents."

Of patriotic poetry there was much for grown folks, but the "Patriotic
and Amatory Songster," advertised by S. Avery of Boston about the time
Weems's biography was published, seems a title ill-suited to the
juvenile public for whom Avery professed to issue it.

Among the books which may be cited as furnishing instructive amusement
with less of the admixture of moral purpose was the "London Cries for
Children," with pictures of street peddlers. This was imitated in
America by the publication of the "Cries of New York" and "Cries of
Philade