Chapter I: Front Matter

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A MORAL ALPHABET.

* * * * *

BY THE SAME AUTHORS.

MORE BEASTS (FOR WORSE CHILDREN).
Demy 4to. 3s. 6d.

THE MODERN TRAVELLER.
Fcap. 4to. 3s. 6d.

EDWARD ARNOLD, LONDON.

* * * * *

A MORAL ALPHABET

by

H. B.

With Illustrations by

B. B.

Authors of "The Bad Child's Book of Beasts" "More Beasts for Worse Children" "The Modern Traveller" etc.

London Edward Arnold 37 Bedford Street 1899

_DEDICATION._

TO THE GENTLEMAN
ON PAGE 49.

A

stands for

Archibald who told no lies,
And got this lovely volume for a prize.

The Upper School had combed and oiled their hair,
And all the Parents of the Boys were there.
In words that ring like thunder through the Hall,
Draw tears from some and loud applause from all,--
The Pedagogue, with Pardonable Joy,
Bestows the Gift upon the Radiant Boy:--

"Accept the Noblest Work produced as yet"
(Says he) "upon the English Alphabet;
"Next term I shall examine you, to find
"If you have read it thoroughly. So mind!"
And while the Boys and Parents cheered so loud,
That out of doors

a large and anxious crowd
Had gathered and was blocking up the street,
The admirable child resumed his seat.

MORAL.

Learn from this justly irritating Youth,
To brush your Hair and Teeth and tell the Truth.

B stands for Bear.

When Bears are seen
Approaching in the distance,
Make up your mind at once between
Retreat and Armed Resistance.

A Gentleman remained to fight--
With what result for him?
The Bear, with ill-concealed delight,
Devoured him, Limb by Limb.

Another Person turned and ran;
He ran extremely hard:
The Bear was faster than the Man,
And beat him by a yard.

MORAL.

Decisive action in the hour of need
Denotes the Hero, but does not succeed.

C stands for Cobra; when the Cobra

bites
An Indian Judge, the Judge spends restless nights.

MORAL.

This creature, though disgusting and appalling,
Conveys no kind of Moral worth recalling.