Search -
Knickerbocker's History of New York, Vol. 2 of 2 (Classic Reprint)
Knickerbocker's History of New York Vol 2 of 2 - Classic Reprint Author:Washington Irving THE AUTHOR'S APOLOGY. — HB following work, in which, at the outset, — nothing more was contemplated than a — pany with my brother, the late Peter Irving, Bsq. Our idea was, to parody a small hand' boot which had recently appeared, entitled "A Picture of New York." Like that, our work was to begin with an historical sketch; to be followed by notices... more » of the customs, manners, and institutions of the city ; written in a seriocomic vein, and treating local errors, follies, aud abuses with good-humored satire.
To burlesque the pedantic lore displayed in certain American works, our historical sketch was to commence with the creation of the world; and we laid all kinds of works under contribution for trite citations, relevant or irrele^ vant, to give it the proper air of learned research. Before this crude mass of mock erudition could be digested into form, my brother departed for
temporary jeu d)
esprit was commenced in com-
Table of Contents
CONTENTS; The Author's Apolooy i; Osjoinajl Advertisements 7; Account of the Author n; Address to the Public 25; BOOK I; containing divers ingenious theories and philosophic speculations concerning thb creation and population of the world, as connected with the history of new york; Chap I-Description of the WotW 33; Chap ii-Cosmogony, or Creation of the WoTld ; with a multitude of excellent theories, by which the creation of a world is shown to be no such difficult matter as common folk would imagine, 43; Chap 111-How that famous navigator, Noah, was shamefully nicknamed; and how he committed an unpardonable oversight in not having four sons; with the great trouble of philosophers caused thereby, and the discovery of America , 55; Chap iv-Showing the great difficulty philosophers have had in peopling America ; and how the aborigines came to be begotten by accident -to the great relief and satisfaction of the Author 64; IV; Content« less