by Mrs. Child, and other American writers, to substitute popular science in that place in the education of infants, which these truly English compositions have so long occupied. I cannot help thinking that harmless and euphonious nonsense may reasonably be considered a more useful instrument in the hands of children than that overstraining of the intellect in very early age, which must unavoidably be the result of a more refined system. If the indulgence of the public should be so far extended to my efforts in this very humble walk of literature, as to enable me at some future period to attempt a more complete collection, I shall hope to render the classification less open to criticism than it is at present. The difficulties of doing so in many cases must be my apology; and it is evident that the correct nomenclature cannot always be obtained. Should my readers remember any nursery rhymes not inserted in this volume, or any different versions of those here printed, and confer the great favour of communicating them to me,* they will be duly and thankfully Directed to me, care of Mr. J. R. Smith, 4, Old Compton Street, Soho Square, London. acknowledged. On a former occasion I had to acknowledge my obligations to Sir E. F. Bromhead, Bart., and William Henry Black, Esq. I have now to add my best thanks to R. S. Sharpe, Esq., William Chappell, Esq., and E. F. Rimbault, Esq., for a few interesting contributions. J. O. HALLIWELL. I., O.; Oct. 31st, 1842. NURSERY RHYMES. FIRST CLASS HISTORICAL I. [The traditional Nursery Rhymes of England commence with a legendary satire on King Cole, who reigned in Britain, as the old chronicles inform us, in the third century after Christ. According to Robert of Gloucester, he was the father of St. Helena, and if so, Butler must be wrong in ascribing an obscure origin to the celebrated mother of Constantine. King Cole was a brave and popular man in his day, and ascended the throne of Britain on the death of Asclepiod, amidst the acclamations of the people, or as Robert of Gloucester expresses himself, the "folc was the of this lond y-paid wel y-nou." The following curious metrical history of King Cole is taken from Robert of Gloucester's Chronicle, in MS. Cotton. Calig., A. xi. fol. 30: Cole was a noble mon, and gret poer adde an honde; |