Transcriber's notes:
Page numbers in this book are indicated by numbers enclosed in curly braces, e.g. {99}. They are located where page breaks occurred in the original book.
End Transcriber's note
MOTHER TRUTH'S MELODIES.
COMMON SENSE FOR CHILDREN.
A KINDERGARTEN,
BY
MRS. E. P. MILLER,
AUTHOR OF "A FATHER'S ADVICE; A BOOK FOR EVERY BOY." AND"A MOTHER'S ADVICE; A BOOK FOR EVERY GIRL."
450 ILLUSTRATIONS.
NEW AND ENLARGED EDITION.
CHICAGO:
CRAM STANDARD BOOK CO.,
BOSTON, MASS., J. Q. ADAMS & Co
1896.
COPYRIGHTED 1887, BY
STANDARD PUBLISHING COMPANY.
COPYRIGHTED BY
STANDARD COLUMBIAN COMPANY,
1891, 1892.
COPYRIGHTED BY
CRAM STANDARD BOOK COMPANY
1894
COPYRIGHTED BY
GEORGE F. CRAM,
1895
To all who love the Children, This book, INSCRIBED, I bring,-- Thus reaching forth to draw you Within my charmed ring, Where seeds and germs we'll nurture In babies, children, youth, Till every plant shall blossom, And bear the fruits of TRUTH.
INTRODUCTION.
Since little ones are geese no more, But knowing have become, It ill beseems that "Mother Goose" Should dwell in every home. So "Mother Truth" in "Melodies" For Babes, here lifts her voice, Assured that parents, children, all, Will welcome and rejoice.
NOTE.
Let no one suppose that the Author of these "Melodies" considers thempoetry. They are simply rhymes, the jingle of which may be music inthe children's ears, and the illustrations a delight to eager eyes.The Truths presented, even if not fully understood at first, willleave their impress, and in so far as they fill the little minds, willkeep out falsehood and false ideas.
The putting of facts in such form as to attract the attention of thelittle ones, and be readily fixed in their memory, was first suggestedto the writer of these rhymes by a valued friend, the well knownphilanthropist, MRS. ELIZABETH THOMPSON, and her interest in the"Melodies" is such that she has generously assisted in procuringillustrations for the same.
Thus "Mother Truth's Melodies" are introduced with the hope that thiseffort to entertain children with rhyming reason will meet with theapproval of every lover of the young, and of Truth.
Poetry is the language of the imagination, while "facts are stubbornthings," and, in the mass, refuse utterly to be poetized. Yet, evenfacts may be presented pleasingly and melodiously, and in such waythat they will be easily impressed upon the minds of children. Thisthe author of "Mother Truth's Melodies" sought to do, when the littlebook was first given to the public.
Now, however, in the revising and enlarging of the book, she has givenwider play to the imagination, has enlarged the range of subjects, hasembodied lessons for children of older growth, and feels thataltogether, it will meet mor