AN OLD-FASHIONED RHYME.
[To THE EDITOR 07 THE "SPECTATOR:1 SIR,—The request of your correspondent Mr. Charles W. Bell in the last issue of the Spectator called up the memory of early lessons and of a certain once-familiar "little red book." Search brought to light a very tattered little volume entitled "Infantine Knowledge," and though many of its pages are missing, the greater part of the "Historical Sketches of the Kings of England" is there, and affords very entertaining reading. Eight lines of rhyme are devoted to each Sovereign. The book contains besides spelling and reading lessons, practical pieces, dialogues, directions for our agreeable behaviour and polite address, and two catechisms, and is a mine of instruction and amusement. The title-page is gone, but internal evidence (p.165) seems to reveal the date of publication. Mr. Lovechild
has been examining his son Augustus on his knowledge of Roman figares, and declares himself so well satisfied that he will not propose any more questions, but continues :—" I will thank you, however, to write down in numerals the date of the present year, 1847.' Augustus immediately took up his pen, and after a short pause wrote as follows :— MDCCOXLVII. Mr. Lovechild was so much pleased with the readiness with which this was executed that he not only expressed his entire satisfaction, but assured his on that his attention to his studies should be handsomely rewarded." In the next lesson we are told how his father presented Augustus with a beautiful silver watch, "and the necessary appendages of a chain, seal and key." The book was printed by Bentley, Wilson, and Fley, Bangor House, Shoe Lane. I hope your correspondent will be successful in finding a complete copy of this interesting little work.—I am, Sir, &c., ELIZA PRIMROSE.
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