14 MARCH 1903, Page 23

Sing a Song of Sixpence. By the Author of "The

Lost Legends of the Nursery Songs." (Ellis and Co., Boston.)—This is a charming variation upon the team of the 'nursery rhyme. The maid was really a daughter of the wicked Gruniph the Noseless, who .was trying to get possession of the King of Gromboolia's magic sceptre. The action of the blackbird revealed the maid's true character and saved the country. What makes this little book specially interesting are the hitherto unpublished drawings it contains by Edward Lear. These were made to illustrate the rhyme, and they are in his best manner. The picture of the Ring "when the pie was opened" has humour in every line of it.