Washington's Farewell Address Performed by Harry E. Humphrey (1913) Played on the Edison Amberola 1A

[chimes] As no one can add to the brightness of the noonday sun, so no words can increase the glory of the immortal Washington.

First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen, his fame will shine with undiminished splendor through all the coming ages.

Under the smiles of beneficent Heaven, he was the creator and savior of the greatest nation in the history of the world.

Ah, if there had been such an instrument as this in the days that tried men's souls, to record the words as they fell from the lips of the peerless leader of our army in the Revolution, our first and foremost president, and the unequaled statesman, with what bated breath and awed hearts we should accept the treasures from that storehouse of exalted patriotism and matchless wisdom.

But since that cannot be, let us ponder upon the closing sentences of his farewell, when bowed by the burden of years, he laid aside the robes of office, and like the humblest citizen of the young republic, wended his way to his beloved Mount Vernon, soon to sink into the tomb amid the grief of his countrymen and the reverent admiration of the civilized world.

[chimes] As no one can add to the brightness of the noonday sun, so no words can increase the glory of the immortal Washington.

First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen, his fame will shine with undiminished splendor through all the coming ages.

Under the smiles of beneficent Heaven, he was the creator and savior of the greatest nation in the history of the world.

Ah, if there had been such an instrument as this in the days that tried men's souls, to record the words as they fell from the lips of the peerless leader of our army in the Revolution, our first and foremost president, and the unequaled statesman, with what bated breath and awed hearts we should accept the treasures from that storehouse of exalted patriotism and matchless wisdom.

But since that cannot be, let us ponder upon the closing sentences of his farewell, when bowed by the burden of years, he laid aside the robes of office, and like the humblest citizen of the young republic, wended his way to his beloved Mount Vernon, soon to sink into the tomb amid the grief of his countrymen and the reverent admiration of the civilized world.