The Nursery, January 1877, Volume XXI, No. 1 / A Monthly Magazine for Youngest Readers

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

28129

Title

The Nursery, January 1877, Volume XXI, No. 1 / A Monthly Magazine for Youngest Readers

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A monthly magazine for young readers featuring moral tales, playful verse, and educational premiums. This 1877 issue offers stories of wit, friendship, and nature, designed to teach children valuable lessons through engaging narratives and charming illustrations.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in January 1877, Volume XXI, No. 1, *The Nursery* presents a curated collection of prose and verse designed specifically for the youngest readers. The issue balances entertainment with moral instruction, featuring stories that teach lessons about balance, loyalty, wit, and kindness. In the opening prose piece, 'Work and Play,' two boys, Tom Murphy and Mike Flynn, learn from a stern employer that while play is acceptable on New Year's Day, it must not overshadow the responsibility of work. The narrative emphasizes that success in business requires discipline, warning that excessive fun can hinder professional growth. 'Billy and Tom' offers a poignant contrast between two horses: Billy, an aging, gentle family steed who is loyal and affectionate despite a slight lameness, and Tom, a new, aloof animal who lacks the capacity for affection. The story highlights the deep bond between Billy and his young master, illustrating themes of loneliness and the enduring nature of true friendship. Similarly, 'The Wise Hare and her Pursuers' demonstrates how intelligence and self-possession can triumph over superior physical strength. A small hare outwits a pair of greyhounds by repeatedly running back and forth through a narrow gate, forcing the larger dogs to leap over it until exhaustion claims them. Kindness is further explored in 'Gentle Jessie and the Wasp,' where a gentle girl's non-aggressive demeanor successfully de-escalates a confrontation with an angry insect, proving that patience can win over hostility. In 'Friends in Need,' a community of sparrows collaborates to rescue a crippled mate, using a twig as a bridge to help the injured bird reach safety. Conversely, 'The Bear that Put on Airs' serves as a cautionary tale against boasting. A tamed bear named Dandy, once a slave forced to dance for fear of a whip, falsely claims to be a respected partner among men. When he boasts of his past to other bears, his deception is exposed by a young bear who reveals the truth of Dandy's enslavement, leading to his ostracization. The volume also includes a humorous 'Drawing-Lesson' by Harrison Weir, written from a mouse's perspective, and several poems such as 'Bumble-Bee' and 'A Noonday Lullaby,' which use animal voices to soothe children. Beyond fiction, the issue functions as an educational tool, serving as a 'first-reader' for children in remote areas without schools. It concludes with a detailed premium list, offering books, educational tools, and toys to subscribers, reinforcing the magazine's role as a comprehensive resource for family life and early learning.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Children's Literature