p. 170. 1.
(a) Some of Mrs. Sherwood’s most popular books were:Little Henry and his Bearer(her first book)c.1815;The History of Henry Milner(4 parts) 1822-1836;The Little Woodman and his Dog Cæsar(1819).Many of the chap-books were written for stock illustrations.(b) Mrs. Cameron, Mrs. Sherwood’s sister, was also a prolific writer of children’s chap-books; but these are undistinguished in style and matter. (See B. M. collections under title: “Cameron’s Tales”.)
(a) Some of Mrs. Sherwood’s most popular books were:Little Henry and his Bearer(her first book)c.1815;The History of Henry Milner(4 parts) 1822-1836;The Little Woodman and his Dog Cæsar(1819).
Many of the chap-books were written for stock illustrations.
(b) Mrs. Cameron, Mrs. Sherwood’s sister, was also a prolific writer of children’s chap-books; but these are undistinguished in style and matter. (See B. M. collections under title: “Cameron’s Tales”.)
p. 171. 1.
The introduction to Mrs. Sherwood’s version ofThe Governessstates that “the little volume was published before the middle of the last century, and is said to have been written by a sister of the celebrated Fielding”.
The introduction to Mrs. Sherwood’s version ofThe Governessstates that “the little volume was published before the middle of the last century, and is said to have been written by a sister of the celebrated Fielding”.
p. 172. 1.
Mary Elliott (afterwards Mrs. Belson), a Quaker, wrote many other tales for children. Among these are:Precept and Example(c.1812);The Modern Goody Two Shoes(c.1818);The Adventures of Thomas Two Shoes: “being a sequel to the Modern G. T. S.” (c.1818);The Rambles of a Butterfly(1819);Confidential Memoirs, or the Adventures of a Parrot, a Greyhound, a Cat and a Monkey(1821).Priscilla Wakefield, another Quaker, was the author ofMental Improvement,The Juvenile Travellersand other instructive books.
Mary Elliott (afterwards Mrs. Belson), a Quaker, wrote many other tales for children. Among these are:Precept and Example(c.1812);The Modern Goody Two Shoes(c.1818);The Adventures of Thomas Two Shoes: “being a sequel to the Modern G. T. S.” (c.1818);The Rambles of a Butterfly(1819);Confidential Memoirs, or the Adventures of a Parrot, a Greyhound, a Cat and a Monkey(1821).
Priscilla Wakefield, another Quaker, was the author ofMental Improvement,The Juvenile Travellersand other instructive books.
p. 176. 2.
The Stories inThe Parent’s Assistant(1845) are:—Vol. I. Lazy Laurence; Tarlton; The False Key; The Birth-day Present; Simple Susan.Vol. II. The Bracelets; The Little Merchants; Old Poz; The Mimic; Mademoiselle Panache.Vol. III. The Basket Woman; The White Pigeon; The Orphans; Waste Not, Want Not; Forgive and Forget; The Barring Out; or, Party Spirit; Eton Montem.A modern edition, with an introduction by Anne Thackeray Ritchie, was published by Macmillan in 1903; and a selection,Tales from Maria Edgeworth, with an introduction by Mr. Austin Dobson (Wells, Gardner, Darton & Co.), appeared in the same year.
The Stories inThe Parent’s Assistant(1845) are:—
Vol. I. Lazy Laurence; Tarlton; The False Key; The Birth-day Present; Simple Susan.
Vol. II. The Bracelets; The Little Merchants; Old Poz; The Mimic; Mademoiselle Panache.
Vol. III. The Basket Woman; The White Pigeon; The Orphans; Waste Not, Want Not; Forgive and Forget; The Barring Out; or, Party Spirit; Eton Montem.
A modern edition, with an introduction by Anne Thackeray Ritchie, was published by Macmillan in 1903; and a selection,Tales from Maria Edgeworth, with an introduction by Mr. Austin Dobson (Wells, Gardner, Darton & Co.), appeared in the same year.
p. 180. 1.
Little Plays(1827) contains “The Grinding Organ” (written May, 1808); “Dumb Andy” (written in 1814) and “The Dame School Holiday”.“Old Poz” and “Eton Montem” inThe Parent’s Assistant, are also in dialogue form.
Little Plays(1827) contains “The Grinding Organ” (written May, 1808); “Dumb Andy” (written in 1814) and “The Dame School Holiday”.
“Old Poz” and “Eton Montem” inThe Parent’s Assistant, are also in dialogue form.
2.
From the letter to Mrs. Ruxton (March 19, 1803), describing a visit to Madame de Genlis in Paris:(a) “... She looked like the full-length picture of my great-great-grandmother Edgeworth you may have seen in the garret, very thin andmelancholy, but her face not so handsome as my great-grandmother’s; dark eyes, long sallow cheeks, compressed thin lips, two or three black ringlets on a high forehead, a cap that Mrs. Grier might wear,—altogether an appearance of fallen fortunes, worn-out health, and excessive, but guarded irritability.”(b) From the same letter:“... Forgive me, my dear Aunt Mary, you begged me to see her with favourable eyes, and I went to see her after seeing her ‘Rosière de Salency’” (a play in theThéâtre d’Education) “with the most favourable disposition, but I could not like her.”At this time it would seem that the old countess was soured by neglect and disappointment.
From the letter to Mrs. Ruxton (March 19, 1803), describing a visit to Madame de Genlis in Paris:
(a) “... She looked like the full-length picture of my great-great-grandmother Edgeworth you may have seen in the garret, very thin andmelancholy, but her face not so handsome as my great-grandmother’s; dark eyes, long sallow cheeks, compressed thin lips, two or three black ringlets on a high forehead, a cap that Mrs. Grier might wear,—altogether an appearance of fallen fortunes, worn-out health, and excessive, but guarded irritability.”
(b) From the same letter:
“... Forgive me, my dear Aunt Mary, you begged me to see her with favourable eyes, and I went to see her after seeing her ‘Rosière de Salency’” (a play in theThéâtre d’Education) “with the most favourable disposition, but I could not like her.”
At this time it would seem that the old countess was soured by neglect and disappointment.
3.
The school stories in theP. A.are: “The Bracelets” (an early story of a girls’ school); “The Barring Out” and “Eton Montem”, both theoretic studies of schoolboys.
The school stories in theP. A.are: “The Bracelets” (an early story of a girls’ school); “The Barring Out” and “Eton Montem”, both theoretic studies of schoolboys.
p. 183. 1.
The four volumes ofE. L.contain the following stories:Vol. I. The Little Dog Trusty; The Cherry Orchard; Frank.Vol. II. Rosamond; Harry and Lucy.Vol. III. The Continuation of Frank and part of the Continuation of Rosamond.Vol. IV. The Continuation of Rosamond and of Harry and Lucy.These were followed byRosamond: a Sequel to Rosamond in “Early Lessons”. 2 vols., 1821; andFrank: a Sequel to Frank in “Early Lessons”. 3 vols, 1822.
The four volumes ofE. L.contain the following stories:
Vol. I. The Little Dog Trusty; The Cherry Orchard; Frank.
Vol. II. Rosamond; Harry and Lucy.
Vol. III. The Continuation of Frank and part of the Continuation of Rosamond.
Vol. IV. The Continuation of Rosamond and of Harry and Lucy.
These were followed byRosamond: a Sequel to Rosamond in “Early Lessons”. 2 vols., 1821; andFrank: a Sequel to Frank in “Early Lessons”. 3 vols, 1822.
p. 184. 1.
Dr. Darwin attempted to deal poetically with matter of Science; but his couplets show all the worst features of eighteenth century verse. The passage quoted inFrank(E. L., Vol. I.) runs thus:—“Stay thy soft murmuring waters, gentle rill;Hush, whispering winds; ye rustling leaves, be still;Rest, silver butterflies, your quivering wings;Alight, ye beetles, from your airy rings;Ye painted moths, your gold-eyed plumage furl,Bow your wide horns, your spiral trunks uncurl;Glitter, ye glow-worms, on your mossy beds;Descend, ye spiders, on your lengthen’d threads;Slide here, ye horned snails with varnish’d shells;Ye bee nymphs, listen in your waxen cells.”
Dr. Darwin attempted to deal poetically with matter of Science; but his couplets show all the worst features of eighteenth century verse. The passage quoted inFrank(E. L., Vol. I.) runs thus:—
“Stay thy soft murmuring waters, gentle rill;Hush, whispering winds; ye rustling leaves, be still;Rest, silver butterflies, your quivering wings;Alight, ye beetles, from your airy rings;Ye painted moths, your gold-eyed plumage furl,Bow your wide horns, your spiral trunks uncurl;Glitter, ye glow-worms, on your mossy beds;Descend, ye spiders, on your lengthen’d threads;Slide here, ye horned snails with varnish’d shells;Ye bee nymphs, listen in your waxen cells.”
“Stay thy soft murmuring waters, gentle rill;Hush, whispering winds; ye rustling leaves, be still;Rest, silver butterflies, your quivering wings;Alight, ye beetles, from your airy rings;Ye painted moths, your gold-eyed plumage furl,Bow your wide horns, your spiral trunks uncurl;Glitter, ye glow-worms, on your mossy beds;Descend, ye spiders, on your lengthen’d threads;Slide here, ye horned snails with varnish’d shells;Ye bee nymphs, listen in your waxen cells.”
“Stay thy soft murmuring waters, gentle rill;Hush, whispering winds; ye rustling leaves, be still;Rest, silver butterflies, your quivering wings;Alight, ye beetles, from your airy rings;Ye painted moths, your gold-eyed plumage furl,Bow your wide horns, your spiral trunks uncurl;Glitter, ye glow-worms, on your mossy beds;Descend, ye spiders, on your lengthen’d threads;Slide here, ye horned snails with varnish’d shells;Ye bee nymphs, listen in your waxen cells.”
“Stay thy soft murmuring waters, gentle rill;
Hush, whispering winds; ye rustling leaves, be still;
Rest, silver butterflies, your quivering wings;
Alight, ye beetles, from your airy rings;
Ye painted moths, your gold-eyed plumage furl,
Bow your wide horns, your spiral trunks uncurl;
Glitter, ye glow-worms, on your mossy beds;
Descend, ye spiders, on your lengthen’d threads;
Slide here, ye horned snails with varnish’d shells;
Ye bee nymphs, listen in your waxen cells.”
p. 187. 1.
The lines, repeated to test Harry’s power of attention, are these:—“So she went into the garden to cut a cabbage leaf, to make an apple-pie; and at the same time a great she-bear coming up the street, pops its head into the shop. ‘What! No soap?’ So he died, and she very imprudently married the barber; and there were present the Picninnies, and the Joblillies, and the Garyulies, and the grand Panjandrum himself, with the little round button at top; and they all fell to playing the game of catch as catch can, till the gunpowder ran out at the heels of their boots.”“The Great Panjandrum Himself” was later “pictured” as a schoolmaster in cap and gown, by Randolph Caldecott.
The lines, repeated to test Harry’s power of attention, are these:—
“So she went into the garden to cut a cabbage leaf, to make an apple-pie; and at the same time a great she-bear coming up the street, pops its head into the shop. ‘What! No soap?’ So he died, and she very imprudently married the barber; and there were present the Picninnies, and the Joblillies, and the Garyulies, and the grand Panjandrum himself, with the little round button at top; and they all fell to playing the game of catch as catch can, till the gunpowder ran out at the heels of their boots.”
“So she went into the garden to cut a cabbage leaf, to make an apple-pie; and at the same time a great she-bear coming up the street, pops its head into the shop. ‘What! No soap?’ So he died, and she very imprudently married the barber; and there were present the Picninnies, and the Joblillies, and the Garyulies, and the grand Panjandrum himself, with the little round button at top; and they all fell to playing the game of catch as catch can, till the gunpowder ran out at the heels of their boots.”
“The Great Panjandrum Himself” was later “pictured” as a schoolmaster in cap and gown, by Randolph Caldecott.
p. 192. 1.
Children’s books recommended by Mr. Edgeworth in his “Address to Mothers” (E. L. Vol. III):—“Fabulous Histories”; “Evenings at Home”; Berquin’s “Children’s Friend”; “Sandford and Merton”; “Little Jack”; “The Children’s Miscellany”; “Bob the Terrier”; “Dick the Pony”; “The Book of Trades”; “The Looking-glass, or History of a Young Artist”; “Robinson Crusoe”; “The Travels of Rolando”; “Mrs. Wakefield on Instinct”;partsof White’s Natural History of Selborne; andpartsof Smellie’s Philosophy of Natural History.The Dog of Knowledge; or Memoirs of Bob the Spotted Terrier(1801) andDick the Ponywere by the same author.The Book of Tradesis a modern equivalent ofDives Pragmaticus(see above—Introd:)The Looking-glass, etc., by “Theo Marcliffe”, is the story of the early life of Mulreadythe painter, written by Godwin under this pseudonym.
Children’s books recommended by Mr. Edgeworth in his “Address to Mothers” (E. L. Vol. III):—
“Fabulous Histories”; “Evenings at Home”; Berquin’s “Children’s Friend”; “Sandford and Merton”; “Little Jack”; “The Children’s Miscellany”; “Bob the Terrier”; “Dick the Pony”; “The Book of Trades”; “The Looking-glass, or History of a Young Artist”; “Robinson Crusoe”; “The Travels of Rolando”; “Mrs. Wakefield on Instinct”;partsof White’s Natural History of Selborne; andpartsof Smellie’s Philosophy of Natural History.
The Dog of Knowledge; or Memoirs of Bob the Spotted Terrier(1801) andDick the Ponywere by the same author.
The Book of Tradesis a modern equivalent ofDives Pragmaticus(see above—Introd:)
The Looking-glass, etc., by “Theo Marcliffe”, is the story of the early life of Mulreadythe painter, written by Godwin under this pseudonym.
p. 195. 2.
A revised and abridged edition of Bunyan’s “Rhimes” appeared in 1701, under the title:A Book for Boys and Girls; or, Temporal Things Spiritualised.A ninth edition was published in 1724 under the new titleDivine Emblems; or, Temporal Things Spiritualised.
A revised and abridged edition of Bunyan’s “Rhimes” appeared in 1701, under the title:A Book for Boys and Girls; or, Temporal Things Spiritualised.
A ninth edition was published in 1724 under the new titleDivine Emblems; or, Temporal Things Spiritualised.
3.
A Little Book for Little Children, “wherein are set down in a plain and pleasant Way, Directions for Spelling and other remarkable Matters. Adorned with Cuts. By T. W.” (Thomas White).London, printed for G. O. and sold at the King in Little Britain.
A Little Book for Little Children, “wherein are set down in a plain and pleasant Way, Directions for Spelling and other remarkable Matters. Adorned with Cuts. By T. W.” (Thomas White).
London, printed for G. O. and sold at the King in Little Britain.
p. 196. 1.
The Child’s Week’s Work; “or, A Little Book so nicely suited to the Genius and Capacity of a little Child, both for Matter and Method, that it will infallibly allure and lead him into a Way of Reading, with all the Ease and Expedition that can be desired.” By William Ronksley. London, printed for G. Conyers and J. Richardson in Little Britain, 1712.
The Child’s Week’s Work; “or, A Little Book so nicely suited to the Genius and Capacity of a little Child, both for Matter and Method, that it will infallibly allure and lead him into a Way of Reading, with all the Ease and Expedition that can be desired.” By William Ronksley. London, printed for G. Conyers and J. Richardson in Little Britain, 1712.
p. 201. 2.
R. L. Stevenson quotes this rhyme in the lines “To Minnie” (A Child’s Garden of Verses, pp. 130-1):“Our phantom voices haunt the airAs we were still at play;And I can hear them call and say:‘How far is it to Babylon?’“Ah far enough, my dear,Far, far enough from here—Yet you have farther gone!‘Can I get there by candlelight?’“So goes the old refrain.I do not know—perchance you might—But only children hear it right,Ah, never to return again!“The eternal dawn, beyond a doubt,Shall break on hill and plain,And put all stars and candles out,Ere we be young again.”
R. L. Stevenson quotes this rhyme in the lines “To Minnie” (A Child’s Garden of Verses, pp. 130-1):
“Our phantom voices haunt the airAs we were still at play;And I can hear them call and say:‘How far is it to Babylon?’“Ah far enough, my dear,Far, far enough from here—Yet you have farther gone!‘Can I get there by candlelight?’“So goes the old refrain.I do not know—perchance you might—But only children hear it right,Ah, never to return again!“The eternal dawn, beyond a doubt,Shall break on hill and plain,And put all stars and candles out,Ere we be young again.”
“Our phantom voices haunt the airAs we were still at play;And I can hear them call and say:‘How far is it to Babylon?’“Ah far enough, my dear,Far, far enough from here—Yet you have farther gone!‘Can I get there by candlelight?’“So goes the old refrain.I do not know—perchance you might—But only children hear it right,Ah, never to return again!“The eternal dawn, beyond a doubt,Shall break on hill and plain,And put all stars and candles out,Ere we be young again.”
“Our phantom voices haunt the airAs we were still at play;And I can hear them call and say:‘How far is it to Babylon?’
“Our phantom voices haunt the air
As we were still at play;
And I can hear them call and say:
‘How far is it to Babylon?’
“Ah far enough, my dear,Far, far enough from here—Yet you have farther gone!‘Can I get there by candlelight?’
“Ah far enough, my dear,
Far, far enough from here—
Yet you have farther gone!
‘Can I get there by candlelight?’
“So goes the old refrain.I do not know—perchance you might—But only children hear it right,Ah, never to return again!
“So goes the old refrain.
I do not know—perchance you might—
But only children hear it right,
Ah, never to return again!
“The eternal dawn, beyond a doubt,Shall break on hill and plain,And put all stars and candles out,Ere we be young again.”
“The eternal dawn, beyond a doubt,
Shall break on hill and plain,
And put all stars and candles out,
Ere we be young again.”
p. 206. 2.
Few of the themes are original. Two by Adelaide O’Keefe, “The Boys and the Apple Tree” and “The Vine”, are verse readings of stories inThe Looking Glass for the Mind. So also is “The Two Gardens” by Ann Taylor.
Few of the themes are original. Two by Adelaide O’Keefe, “The Boys and the Apple Tree” and “The Vine”, are verse readings of stories inThe Looking Glass for the Mind. So also is “The Two Gardens” by Ann Taylor.
p. 208. 1.
Poetry for Childrenwas praised in theMonthly Reviewfor Jan., 1811, but soon went out of print. The original edition was lost sight of until 1877, when it was sent from Australia “a courteous and most welcome gift from the Hon. William Sandover” to Mr. R. H. Shepherd. (See the Introduction to Mr. Shepherd’s reprint.—Chatto & Windus, 1878.)In the meantime, twenty-two of the pieces had been preserved in aFirst Book of Poetryprinted by W. F. Mylius, a master at Christ’s Hospital, “For the Use of Schools. Intended as Reading Lessons for the Younger Classes.” This was mentioned in theMonthly Reviewfor April, 1811.
Poetry for Childrenwas praised in theMonthly Reviewfor Jan., 1811, but soon went out of print. The original edition was lost sight of until 1877, when it was sent from Australia “a courteous and most welcome gift from the Hon. William Sandover” to Mr. R. H. Shepherd. (See the Introduction to Mr. Shepherd’s reprint.—Chatto & Windus, 1878.)
In the meantime, twenty-two of the pieces had been preserved in aFirst Book of Poetryprinted by W. F. Mylius, a master at Christ’s Hospital, “For the Use of Schools. Intended as Reading Lessons for the Younger Classes.” This was mentioned in theMonthly Reviewfor April, 1811.
p. 209. 2.
The following poems were reprinted in the 1818 edition of Lamb’s Works:—“To a River in which a Child was Drowned”; “The Three Friends”; “Queen Oriana’s Dream”.
The following poems were reprinted in the 1818 edition of Lamb’s Works:—
“To a River in which a Child was Drowned”; “The Three Friends”; “Queen Oriana’s Dream”.
p. 216. 1.
Lamb says that Martin Burney readClarissain snatches at a book-stall, until discouraged by the stall-keeper. He adds: “A quaint poetess of our day has moralised upon this subject in two very touching but homely stanzas”.
Lamb says that Martin Burney readClarissain snatches at a book-stall, until discouraged by the stall-keeper. He adds: “A quaint poetess of our day has moralised upon this subject in two very touching but homely stanzas”.
p. 219. 1.
(a)The Peacock “At Home.”“A Sequel to the Butterfly’s Ball. Written by a Lady and illustrated with elegant engravings”. Harris, successor to E. Newbery, 1807.(b)The Lion’s Masquerade.“A Sequel to the Peacock ‘At Home’. Written by a Lady.” London, J. Harris, etc., 1807.(c)The Elephant’s Ball and Grand Fête-Champêtre: Intended as a Companion to those much admired Pieces, The Butterfly’s Ball and The Peacock “At Home”. By W. B. London, J. Harris, etc., 1807.Facsimile reprints by Charles Welsh, 1883.
(a)The Peacock “At Home.”“A Sequel to the Butterfly’s Ball. Written by a Lady and illustrated with elegant engravings”. Harris, successor to E. Newbery, 1807.
(b)The Lion’s Masquerade.“A Sequel to the Peacock ‘At Home’. Written by a Lady.” London, J. Harris, etc., 1807.
(c)The Elephant’s Ball and Grand Fête-Champêtre: Intended as a Companion to those much admired Pieces, The Butterfly’s Ball and The Peacock “At Home”. By W. B. London, J. Harris, etc., 1807.
Facsimile reprints by Charles Welsh, 1883.
p. 221. 1.
(a)The Daisy, “Adapted to the Ideas of Children from four to eight years old”—was illustrated with 30 copperplate engravings.(b)The Cowslipwas announced as “By the Author of that much admired little work entitled The Daisy”. Both were published by Harris, and reprinted with introductions by Charles Welsh in 1885.(c) Imitations were:—The Snowdrop; or, Poetry for Henry and Emily’s Library.By a Lady. Harris, 1823 (3rd edition); andThe Crocus; or, Useful Hints for Children, “being Original Poems on Popular and Familiar Subjects”. London, R. Harrild, 1816.
(a)The Daisy, “Adapted to the Ideas of Children from four to eight years old”—was illustrated with 30 copperplate engravings.
(b)The Cowslipwas announced as “By the Author of that much admired little work entitled The Daisy”. Both were published by Harris, and reprinted with introductions by Charles Welsh in 1885.
(c) Imitations were:—
The Snowdrop; or, Poetry for Henry and Emily’s Library.By a Lady. Harris, 1823 (3rd edition); andThe Crocus; or, Useful Hints for Children, “being Original Poems on Popular and Familiar Subjects”. London, R. Harrild, 1816.
p. 223. 1.
The Journey of Goody Flitch and her Cow, a variant ofOld Mother Hubbard, 1817.
The Journey of Goody Flitch and her Cow, a variant ofOld Mother Hubbard, 1817.
2.
Dame Wiggins of Lee and Her Seven Wonderful Cats, “A Humorous Tale. Written Principally by a Lady of Ninety. Embellished with sixteen coloured Engravings. Price one shilling”. London, Dean & Munday, 1823.The rhyme was reprinted by Ruskin, who admired its strong rhythm.
Dame Wiggins of Lee and Her Seven Wonderful Cats, “A Humorous Tale. Written Principally by a Lady of Ninety. Embellished with sixteen coloured Engravings. Price one shilling”. London, Dean & Munday, 1823.
The rhyme was reprinted by Ruskin, who admired its strong rhythm.
3.
The History of Sixteen Wonderful Old Women, “Illustrated by as many Engravings, exhibiting their principal Eccentricities and Amusements”. London, Harris & Son, 1821.
The History of Sixteen Wonderful Old Women, “Illustrated by as many Engravings, exhibiting their principal Eccentricities and Amusements”. London, Harris & Son, 1821.
4.
Readings on Poetry.By Richard Lovell Edgeworth and Maria Edgeworth (London, 1816), followed the plan used with the Edgeworth children. No word or phrase is allowed to pass without explanation.This may have inspired the author ofThe Young Reviewers; or, the Poems Dissected. London, William Darton, 1821.
Readings on Poetry.By Richard Lovell Edgeworth and Maria Edgeworth (London, 1816), followed the plan used with the Edgeworth children. No word or phrase is allowed to pass without explanation.
This may have inspired the author ofThe Young Reviewers; or, the Poems Dissected. London, William Darton, 1821.