The Panjandrum Picture Book

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

28557

Title

The Panjandrum Picture Book

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This collection features classic nursery rhymes and verses by Randolph Caldecott, including 'Come Lasses and Lads' and 'Ride a Cock-Horse.' The text blends playful holiday scenes with satirical elegies and whimsical nonsense, offering a nostalgic glimpse into Victorian-era storytelling and illustration traditions.

Summary up to 500 words

Randolph Caldecott's *The Panjandrum Picture Book* is a vibrant compilation of traditional verses and original compositions that celebrates humor, satire, and folk tradition. The collection opens with the lively 'Come Lasses and Lads,' which depicts a spirited May-pole dance. In this scene, couples pair off while fiddlers play, engaging in playful quarrels over kisses before eventually settling down for the night. The narrative captures the joy of the holiday, from the fiddler's performance to the participants' decision to meet again the following day bound by twelve kisses. Following this festive opening is the well-known nursery rhyme 'Ride a Cock-Horse to Banbury Cross.' The verse describes a fine lady riding a white horse adorned with rings and bells, accompanied by a farmer trotting upon his grey mare with his rosy daughter. Their procession is abruptly interrupted by a mischievous raven that cries 'Croak!' causing the entire party to tumble down. The mare breaks her knees, the farmer suffers a blow to his crown, and the raven flies away laughing, vowing to repeat the prank the next day. The book then shifts tone with Dr. Oliver Goldsmith's 'An Elegy on the Glory of Her Sex,' a satirical piece targeting Mrs. Mary Blaize. The poem portrays her as a wealthy, fashionable woman who was universally praised for her kindness and manners, despite her admitted faults. She is depicted as a figure of immense social influence, even attracting the attention of the King. However, the satire highlights the fickleness of her admirers; once her wealth and finery are gone, her 'hangers-on' cut her short immediately upon her death, revealing their true nature. The collection concludes with the chaotic and nonsensical narrative of 'The Great Panjandrum Himself.' This whimsical tale involves a great she-bear entering a shop, a barber, and various creatures such as Picninnies, Joblillies, Garyulies, and the Great Panjandrum himself. The scene descends into a game of catch-as-catch-can that continues until the gunpowder runs out at the heels of their boots. Through these diverse pieces, Caldecott presents a rich tapestry of English folklore, blending high satire with low comedy and rhythmic verse.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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2026-07-06 02:46 UTC

Categories

• Nursery Rhymes
• Picture Books