What's Your Favorite Collection of Lincoln's Writings?

[RJNorton]

Lane, I do not think I have a favorite collection, but when it comes to jokes, anecdotes, and stories I have a pretty strong favorite in Abe Lincoln Laughing edited by Dr. Paul M. Zall. Professor Zall was a research scholar who tried to eliminate all the apocryphal stories, etc., and he only included authentic material and identified his sources.

One of my favorites from Dr. Zall's book -

Abraham Lincoln told the following story about Ethan Allen when Allen visited England after the Revolutionary War:

"It appears that shortly after we had peace with England, Mr. Allen had occasion to visit England, and while there the English took great pleasure in teasing him, and trying to make fun of the Americans and George Washington in particular. And one day they got a picture of General Washington, and hung it up in the Back House where Mr. Allen could see it. Finally, they asked Mr. Allen if he could see it. Mr. Allen said no, but added that he thought it was a very appropriate place for an Englishman to keep it. Mr. Allen was asked why he felt this way. Mr. Allen replied that there was nothing that will make an Englishman **** so quick as the sight of General Washington. After that, they left Mr. Allen and Mr. Washington alone."