Discoveries and inventions, a hitherto unpublished lecture by Abraham Lincoln

"In the fateful year of 1860, the year of his election to the presidency, Lincoln took up ... the custom of lyceum lecturing, then in great vogue. This lecture on "Discoveries and Inventions" was delivered in towns near his home, Springfield, Illinois, and in Springfield itself on Washington's birthday. Five days later Lincoln made his great speech at Cooper Union, in New York." -- from Editor's Note.