10 DECEMBER 1887, Page 8

The Story of a Nursery•Rhyme. By "C. B." With Illustrations

by Edwin J. Ellis. (Field and Taer.)—" Jack and Jill," with their adventure with the pail of water, is the rhyme to which "C. B." gives the shape of a little story. It is of the "Alice in Wonderland" kind, and a favourable specimen of its class. The verses are par. ticularly good ; but we are not sure that those pat into the mouth of the sheep are quite edifying. Mr. Ellis's illustrations have a certain prettiness ; but why are all the children, big and little, pictured like to the inhabitants of a conquered town going out under terms of capitulation, with one garment, and "a short garment at that," apiece ?