Publisher's Synopsis
Originally published in 1744, and republished in 1813, this book contains familiar nursery rhymes with unfamiliar variations, as well as nursery rhymes that are nearly forgotten. Parents Note: 18th Century nursery rhymes were not as pretty and delicate as are modern rhymes. Some language and images may be disturbing for some readers. Please read these rhymes with your child, and explain historic changes. The original text begins: Dear Nurse, YOUR diligence and tenderness in bringing up my children, will always command my utmost endeavours to serve you. And as I cannot but approve, so I recommend this your laudable design, of compiling a Collection of Songs, so fit for the capacities of Infants, both in words and tunes, by which they are often lull'd to rest, when cross, and in great pain. The first Songs are very suitably compos'd for a Baby, but pray be careful, not to simg them too loud; lest you frighten the child, when you design to lull it to sleep, or divert it; for you know, great care ought to be observed as to the early sense of children, some arriving to a knowledge, and notice of animals and their sounds, much earlier than others. And now I am speaking of frights, I will recommend a method that is very useful, to prevent them in some cases, such as in making them familiar with domestic, or other animals, as the Dog, Cat, Horse, Cow, &c. by persuading them to stroke, or touch them, as they happen to fall in their way, which will make them as they grow up, bold in their carriage, to all such creatures, otherwise timorous to a misfortune, But this in particular, I insist on, above all others, that you never mention a Bull Beggar, Tom Poker, Raw Head and Bloody Bones, &c. lest you make such frightful impressions on their tender minds, as may never be eradicated Likewise, as many of the following songs while the Nurses are singing them, are attended with dancing, or exercismg infants, I seriously intreat all who have the care of children, not to swing them by the arms with their heels backwards, lest they dislocate their Backs, which has ruined many, a fine child. I hope your experienced sister Nurses will not be ispleased, as my design is not to direct them but as it very often happens, that young girls are entrusted with the care of children, I think these precautions and songs may be of use to them, as they have been to, Yours, &e. Within are the original nursery rhymes and many original woodcuts, which may not be as familiar as you expect! A Description of the Original 1744 Book, From the British Library Collections: "This is the earliest surviving collection of nursery rhymes. There is evidence that Volumes I and II were advertised for sale in early 1744, but no copies of the first volume are still in existence, and only two copies of this second volume are known to have survived. The book represents one of the very first attempts to make books in which children would delight. It has been carefully designed to appeal to its young target audience - it is satisfyingly small and child-sized at 3 x 13/4 inches; it includes an illustration, in alternating red and black ink, on each page; and the rhymes it contains are great fun. "Many of these 39 rhymes are still familiar to children today, such as 'Bah, Bah, a black sheep' and 'Girls and Boys, Come out to play', 'Lady Bird, Lady Bird' and 'Hickere, Dickere, Dock'. Others have been forgotten - perhaps due to their frank and earthy nature. 'Piss a Bed', for instance, is a rhyme about bed-wetting. Evidently toilet humour has been popular with young children for centuries, although this is rarely acknowledged in histories of children's culture. "The author is described as 'Nurse Lovechild'. Only one real name appears on the book's title page: Mary Cooper who is said to have sold the book. Cooper was the widow of the publisher Thomas Cooper." - See more at: https: //www.bl.uk/collection-items/tommy-thumbs-pretty-song-book#sthash.x8HL4b5E.dp
