The little book seems to have been quickly allowed by its publisher to pass into the void. Possibly the two-volume form was found to be impracticable: at any rate Poetry for Children disappeared, many of its pieces at various times reappearing with the signature Mrs. Leicester in The Junior Class-Book (two pieces), in The First Book of Poetry (twenty-two pieces) and The Poetical Class Book (three pieces), all compiled by William Frederic Mylius, a Christ's Hospital master, and published by Mrs. Godwin. Hence the extreme rarity of Poetry for Children, which seemed to be completely lost until, in 1877, a copy was found in Australia. Two or three other copies of the English edition have since come to light. Mylius used also the frontispieces to the two volumes. As I have not seen all the editions of these compilations, it is possible that my figures may not be complete.
An American edition of Poetry for Children was published in 1812 at
Boston. The poems "Clock Striking," "Why not do it, Sir, To-day?" and
"Home Delights," were omitted.
I have placed against the poems, in the notes that follow, the authorship—brother or sister's—which seems to me the more probable. But I hope it will be understood that I do this at a venture, and, except in a few cases, with no exact knowledge.
Page 404. Envy.
(?) Mary Lamb.
Page 404. The Reaper's Child.
(?) Mary Lamb.
Page 405. The Ride.
(?) Mary Lamb.
Page 406. The Butterfly.