Larger Image

Larger Image

Larger Image

INTRODUCTORY.

Encouraged by the cordial reception extended by Press and Public to theirissue of the “Pelican Chorus and Other Nonsense Verses by Edward Lear,”newly illustrated, the Publishers have requested the Artist, Mr. L. LeslieBrooke, to do a similar service for a further selection from Lear’sNonsense Songs, thus practically completing them. In addition to “TheJumblies,” which has been adopted as the titular piece, this volumeincludes such prime favourites as “The Owl and the Pussy Cat,” “The Duckand the Kangaroo,” and “The Dong with a Luminous Nose.” For the benefit ofthose whose memories of the Nonsense Songs are not as fresh as they shouldbe, it may be repeated that Mr. Lear did not illustrate them as fully aswas his custom; some, indeed, had no drawings at all, and others merely aheadpiece. The Publishers feel, therefore, that in re-issuing the songsadequately illustrated, they are but bringing them into line with Mr.Lear’s other works.

Oliver Wendell Holmes has said in a well-known poem, that—

“There is nothing that keeps its youth—
So far as I know—but a tree and truth.”

He might have added certain writings; and among those that are as freshto-day as when they were written are the Nonsense Books of Edward Lear.Several generations of children—old as well as young—have already “drunkdelight” from them, and it is tolerably safe to prophesy that manyeditions will yet be demanded. But whatever new form the changing publictaste may cause them to take, they will remain as fresh to the end as theyare to-day. It was one of these books that John Ruskin declared to be “themost beneficent and innocent of all books yet produced.” And of the authorhe said: “I really don’t know any author to whom I am half so grateful formy idle self as Edward Lear.” This is very high praise from such a source;and in the hope that similar pleasure may be given to many new readersthis new edition of the Nonsense Songs is issued.

CONTENTS.