The editor of the new edition of Mother Goose's Melodies knows much more about the curious history of the Boston edition than I do. And the reader will not need, even in these lines of mine, any light on the curious question about Madam Vergoose, or her son-in-law Mr. Fleet, or the Contes de Ma Mere l'Oye, which are so carefully discussed in the preface. All this is admirably discussed also in Mr. William Whitmore's paper published in Albany in... more...

TO read the old Nursery Rhymes brings back queer lost memories of a man's own childhood. One seems to see the loose floppy picture-books of long ago, with their boldly coloured pictures. The books were tattered and worn, and my first library consisted of a wooden box full of these volumes. And I can remember being imprisoned for some crime in the closet where the box was, and how my gaolers found me, happy and impenitent, sitting on the box, with... more...

Milkmaid. An Old Song exhibited & explainedin many designs by R. Caldecott.   A Lady said to her Son—a poor young Squire: “You must seek a Wife with a Fortune!”                   “Where are you going, my Pretty Maid?” “I'm going a-milking, Sir,” she said.               “Shall I go with... more...

A Serious Question   A kitten went a-walkingOne morning in July,And idly fell a-talkingWith a great big butterfly. The kitten’s tone was airy,The butterfly would scoff;When there came along a fairyWho whisked his wings right off. And then—for it is writtenFairies can do such things—Upon the startled kittenShe stuck the yellow wings.   The kitten felt a quiver,She rose into the air,Then flew down to the riverTo... more...

This is the House that Jack built.   This is the Malt, that lay in the House that Jack built.   This is the Rat, that eat the Malt, that lay in the House that Jack built.   This is the Cat, that killed the Rat, that eat the Malt, that lay in the House that Jack built.   This is the Dog, that worried the Cat, that killed the Rat, that eat the Malt, that lay in the House that Jack built.   This is the... more...

One of R. Caldecott's Picture Books       FREDERICK WARNE & CO. Ltd. 1878       THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT       This is the House that Jack built.         This is the Malt,That lay in the House that Jack built.   This is the Rat,That ate the Malt,That lay in the House that Jack built.  ... more...

A Frog he would a-wooing go, Whether his mother would let him or no. Off he set with his opera-hat. On the road he met with a Rat.     "Pray, Mr. Rat, will you go with me, Kind Mrs. Mousey for to see?" They soon arrived at Mousey's hall. They gave a loud tap, and they gave a loud call.     "Pray, Mrs. Mouse, are you within?" "Yes, kind sirs, and sitting to spin." "Pray,... more...

The Farmer's Boy.   When I was a farmer, a Farmer's Boy,        I used to keep my master's HORSES, With a Gee-wo here, and a Gee-wo there,       And here a Gee, and there a Gee,       And everywhere a Gee; Says I, My pretty lass, will you come to the banks of the Aire oh?        ... more...

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THE BOOK OFJOYOUS CHILDREN Bound and bordered in leaf-green, Edged with trellised buds and flowers And glad Summer-gold, with clean White and purple morning-glories Such as suit the songs and stories Of this book of ours, Unrevised in text or scene,— The Book of Joyous Children. Wild and breathless in their glee— Lawless rangers of all ways Winding through lush greenery Of Elysian vales—the viny, Bowery groves... more...