Special Collections

Mirth Without Mischief, or, The gaping wide mouthed waddling frog : sung at King Pippins ball.
London : Printed and published by J. Pitts ..., [ca. 1800?]
[16] p. : illustrated with woodcuts ; 14 cm.
This is a popular memory game of the type where each person adds another line. Any person missing a line must pay a forfeit and perform a task to redeem it at the end.
Exhibition Commentary

More, Hannah (1745-1833)
The two shoemakers.
London : Sold by J. Marshall ..., and R. White ..., by S. Hazard ... at Bath; and by all booksellers, newsmen, and hawkers, in town and country, [1795]
(Cheap Repository Tract).
24p. : illustrated with woodcuts.
Osborne Coll. p. 917; ESTC N14160.
The first in a series of four tracts (all held in the Morgan Collection) about Jack Brown, spoiled by an indulgent mother, and the worthy James Stock.
Exhibition Commentary

Comenius, Johann Amos (1592-1670)
Orbis sensualium pictus. English & Latin
Joh. Amos Comenii Orbis sensualium pictus, hoc est, Omnium principalium in mundo rerum, & in vita actionum, pictura & nomenclatura = Joh. Amos Comenius's Visible world, or A nomenclature and pictures of all the chief things that are in the world and of men's employments therein. Translated into English by Charles Hoole.
11th ed., corr.
London : Printed for Aaron Ward; 1729.
[14], 194, [6] p., [1] l. of plates. : ill., port; (8vo)
Osborne Coll. p. 112 (1777 ed.)
"The English made to answer word for word to the Latin" (title page). It is a kind of pictorial dictionary, each picture is accompanied with relevant words and phrases in English and their Latin translation. The first edition of this translation may have been published as early as 1658. The book is intended to make learning easier for children by amusing them. It is one of the earliest picture books for children, being illustrated with "more than 150" small woodcuts in the text. Comenius was a Moravian educator and bishop who introduced the study of nature into schools. This work was very influential and is translated into most European languages.
Exhibition Commentary

The Paths of Learning Strewed With Flowers, or, English grammar illustrated.
London : Harris and Son, 1820.
16 leaves : col. ill. ; 18 cm.
Harris's cabinet of amusement and instruction ; 18
Osborne Coll. p. 728.
This copy is inscribed: "Bought at Cheltenham, Septbr. 26th 1823." and in pencil "Miss Hill, Tewkesbury".
The book is illustrated with hand-coloured copper engravings. The purpose is stated on the cover as, "The purpose of this little work is to obviate the reluctance Children evince to the irksome and insipid task of learning the Names and Meaning of the component Parts of Grammar. Our intention is to entwine roses with instruction; and however humble our endeavours may appear, let it be recollected that the efforts of a Mouse set the Lion free from his toils."
Exhibition Commentary