ALT Parchment lexicon card from the America First Literary Society, medallion at top. Heading: The Lexicon, No. VI. The word: DIFFIDENCE. Etymology: "(n.) - Latin diffidere, from dis- and fidere - 'to trust'". Definition: "Distrust, and in its older and stronger sense, distrust of oneself. The Latin is dis-, away, and fidere, to trust - the exact opposite of confidence, which is the same root with con-, trusting together. A modern ear hears only shyness in the word. Washington meant something harder, and he chose it for the last speech of this volume: resigning his commission, he says he accepted the command with diffidence in his own abilities. He had by then held it for 8 years, won the war, and refused a crown." Specimen line: "I resign with satisfaction the appointment I accepted with diffidence; a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task." Washington, resigning his commission. Lodge, Vol. I, Ch. XI. At the foot: Reading No. 1, Week Six.

ALT Parchment passage card from the America First Literary Society, medallion at top. Above the quotation: "From this week's reading:". It reads: "With a heart full of love and gratitude I now take my leave of you, most devoutly wishing that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable." The word "gratitude" is set in oxblood red. Beneath the quotation: "— General George Washington". At the foot: Henry Cabot Lodge, George Washington, Vol. I, Ch. XI, 1889, and below that, Reading No. 1, Week Six.