Goops and How to be Them. By Gelett Burgess. (Methuen
and Co. 6s.)—A " goop," it seems, is an embodiment of all that a child should not be. The pen and pencil of the author of this volume are therefore employed to teach politeness and good manners generally by contraries. He shall speak for himself :- " Yet you'll learn, U you are Bright, Politeness from the Impolite.
When you've finished with the Book,
At your Conduct take a look ; Ask yourself, upon the Spot, Are you Coop or are you Not, For, although It's Fun to See them, It is TERRIBLE to Be them !"
This is a favourable specimen of the verse, which is scarcely as good as it might be. Line 2, it will be observed, is in a different rhythm from the others. Does that matter ? it may be asked. Very much, we would answer. A nursery rhyme ought to be as correct as an epic. The illustrations are not particularly good.
Previous page
