In "American Historical and Literary Curiosities: Second Series, Complete," J. Jay Smith presents a captivating compilation that stitches together the rich tapestry of American literary history and intriguing anecdotes. Written in a meticulous and engaging style, this work explores the lesser-known tales and curiosities that have shaped American literature, drawing on a wide array of sources from the colonial period to the 19th century. Smith's carefully curated collection not only enterta...

American Historical and Literary Curiosities, Series One invites readers into an intriguing tapestry of the past, woven through a varied collection of historical artifacts and literary expressions. This anthology captures the vibrancy of American historical and literary discourse, showcasing an array of ephemera and manuscripts that offer glimpses into the nation's evolving narrative. The curation traverses a spectrum of styles, from the formal and factual to the more creatively imaginativ...

J. Jay Smith's "American Historical and Literary Curiosities: Second Series, Complete" serves as a rich tapestry of anecdotes and insights, meticulously weaving together oddities and lesser-known narratives from American history and literature. Smith's engaging prose style blends scholarly rigor with accessible storytelling, making complex historical and literary themes relatable to a broad audience. Through an extensive compilation of curiosities, the book not only illuminates the quirks ...

ContentsChristmasThe Stage CoachChristmas EveChristmas DayThe Christmas Dinner

The first novel of English magistrate Henry Fielding, "Joseph Andrews" was written in 1742 as a complete extension of the author's pamphlet "Shamela." The latter contains an impressively coarse parody of "Pamela," the Samuel Richardson novel that rewards a servant girl with marriage for protecting her virtue. Shamela, however, utilizes a coy and artificial modesty to procure for herself a husband of wealth. Fielding went on to write "Joseph Andrews," a work relating the adventures of a foo...

Classic biography, first published in 1866. According to Wikipedia: "Charles Lamb (London, 10 February 1775 Edmonton, 27 December 1834) was an English/Welsh essayist, best known for his Essays of Elia and for the children's book Tales from Shakespeare, which he produced with his sister, Mary Lamb (17641847). Lamb has been referred to by E.V. Lucas, his principal biographer, as the most lovable figure in English literature, and his influence on the English essay form surely cannot be overes...

This carefully crafted ebook: "Letters of Jonathan Oldstyle, Gent: Nine Humorous Essays on the Fashions of the Time and the New York Theater Scene (Classic Unabridged Edition)" is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents. The Letters of Jonathan Oldstyle, Gent. (1802) is a collection of nine observational letters written by American writer Washington Irving under the pseudonym Jonathan Oldstyle. The letters lampoon marriage, manners, dress and culture of ...

This book contains Edgar Allen Poe’s 1839 short story, "The Man That Was Used Up". One of Poe’s satirical works, it follows the unnamed narrator as he seeks out a famous war hero and inventor called John A. B. C. Smith. When descriptions of the man are avoided and only a picture of his scientific advancements presented by those interviewed, the narrator supposes that the mysterious inventor is central to some deep secret. "The Man That Was Used Up" is an interesting and humorous exploratio...

Washington Irving is often regarded as the first American man of letters, known for his charming tales and essays that capture the essence of early American life. His most famous works, such as "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle," showcase his ability to blend folklore with humor and social commentary. Irving's writing style is characterized by its elegance and wit, making him a beloved figure in American literature. His contributions helped to establish a distinct American ...

I am, I believe, nearly the only man now surviving who knew much of the excellent "Elia." Assuredly I knew him more intimately than any other existing person, during the last seventeen or eighteen years of his life. In this predicament, and because I am proud to associate my name with his, I shall endeavor to recall former times, and to bring my old friend before the eyes of a new generation. I request the "courteous reader" to accept, for what they are worth, these desultory labors of a l...

Originally published in 1722, ‘Moll Flanders’ is one of the earliest picaresque novels in English by Daniel Defoe, an English novelist, pamphleteer, and journalist, author of Robinson Crusoe (171922). It has both captivated and shocked countless readers. It is a masterpiece of fiction that is written in the form of an autobiographical memoir. Daniel Defoe's roguish heroine tells the scandalous facts of her adventurous life with such simple and straightforward sincerity and with such a weal...

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is an 1845 memoir and treatise on abolition written by famous orator and former slave Frederick Douglass. It is generally held to be the most famous of a number of narratives written by former slaves during the same period. In factual detail, the text describes the events of his life and is considered to be one of the most influential pieces of literature to fuel the abolitionist movement of the early 19th century in the United States.