The Life and Character of the Author.—What do we know of Webster's parentage? his boyhood? his college life? his experience as a schoolmaster? the beginning of his career as a lawyer? his rapid success? his first term in Congress? his success as an orator? the importance of his work on the Dartmouth College case? his position on the great questions between North and South? the effect on his reputation of his Reply to Hayne? the effect on his reputation of his seventh of March speech? the great traits of his character?
Relate some of the anecdotes that illustrate his chief characteristics.
Outline for the Study of Washington's Farewell Address
I. Preparation
A careful study of this address should include familiarity with the matters discussed and an analysis to show the structure of the essay. The most natural preparation for the first reading will be to recall the time and circumstances of the address, and to tell what part Madison and Hamilton had in preparing it.
II. Reading and Study
The first reading should be done, if possible, at a single sitting, and should enable the student to get the main points of the address and to appreciate the way in which Washington regarded the people.
The second reading should be made with special attention to the preparation of a detailed outline; to an analysis of the thought; and to a study of the paragraph structure.
III. Study of the Address as a Whole
Content.—What were Washington's reasons for declining a third term?