McGuffey's Sixth Eclectic Reader, Revised Edition · Lesson CXXXI · Part 13: Washington, Wordsworth and Mont Blanc

137. Eulogy on Washington (Henry Lee)

Goal: Your student can explain what a eulogy is and recite Lee's famous line about Washington.

⏱ About 35 minutes · 6 steps

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You'll need

  • The book, open to this lesson
  • A notebook and pen
  • A dictionary

What's in the book

Part of the eulogy Henry Lee gave for Washington, by appointment of Congress. The heading is at the top of the page.

The lesson, step by step

  1. Words and meanings

    Look over the notes and definitions printed at the end of the lesson before you start, so names and hard words don't trip up the reading.

    A eulogy is a speech praising someone who has died.

    Your student picks three unfamiliar words, guesses each meaning from the sentence, then checks a dictionary.

  2. About the author

    The book says General Henry Lee (1756–1818), of the Lee family of Virginia, graduated from Princeton and was called Light-horse Harry. He was a delegate to Congress, supported the Constitution in 1788, and led the army that put down the Whisky Rebellion in 1794. Congress chose him to deliver Washington's eulogy.

  3. Read aloud

    Read it as a solemn speech.

    Listen for these lines:

    First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none

  4. Talk about it

    SayWhat does 'first in war, first in peace' mean? Give an example of each from Washington's life.

    SayWhy does Lee say Washington wears not borrowed glory?

    SayHow is a eulogy different from a history?

    SayCompare Lee's eulogy with Sparks's portrait in the last lesson.

  5. Narration

    Your student tells, in their own words, three reasons Lee gives for honoring Washington.

  6. Memorize or copy

    Memorize the famous line:

    First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none

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