xviii Introduction 



struck by the contrasts in methods adopted to solve those 

 problems, then, and now. 



In this collection of Washington s letters, an effort has 

 been made to include only those that exhibit some interesting 

 phase of his farming activities. Viewing them from a bio 

 graphical standpoint, it may be well to point out that the 

 only accurate way to study the personality of any historical 

 character is to read his letters. They do not suffer from 

 the varnish of biographical treatment. They stand at their 

 face value, and reveal more intimately than any other writ 

 ings can, the real man, as he lived and thought. 



It is the editor s hope that the reader will lose himself 

 in the fascinating letters of our first true American, and 

 forget that they have been edited. The comments are in 

 tended to be mere guide-posts to a few of the interesting 

 features of the letters that may appeal to the American 

 reader. 



It may be fitting to suggest further that Woodrow Wil 

 son s &quot; Life of George Washington &quot; 1 will give an excellent 

 biographical background for these letters, standing out from 

 the large number of such biographies because of President 

 Wilson s very human, and almost intimate portrayal of 

 Washington s life. 



WALTER EDWIN BROOKE. 



Logan, Utah, June 23rd, 1918. 



i Harpers, New York. 



