By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.
John Hogg, the younger brother, while publishing many books of a useful and instructive high-class character, also conducted the Churchman's Family Magazine; and when amongst the artists we find the names of Frederick Sandys, G. J. Pinwell, and others, evidence of his capability for the position is afforded. John Hogg is an earnest Freemason, and closely identified with the publications of the craft.
Nursery Rhymes! what delightful subjects they give for pictures, and how often we have had the pleasure of working on them. The first collection we made is very fully illustrated by William McConnell, "a comic artist" of some repute in his day. He was the close friend of the Brothers Brough and of George Augustus Sala, for whom he made a set of elaborate drawings to illustrate "Twice Round the Clock." McConnell was a most prolific artist.
Our next essay on the same subject was a commission from the Routledges, and was issued as "Our Favourite Nursery Rhymes." This was altogether much more important from an art point, many of the best draughtsmen of the time being engaged upon it. J. B. Zwecker made a capital set of drawings illustrating "Old Mother Hubbard"; while J. A. Pasquier, a very clever artist in black and white, and a skilful painter in water colours, contributed several appropriate designs.
We well remember presenting a copy of this volume to Professor Sir Richard Owen, the great naturalist. He said what enjoyment it had given to him: it was like meeting the friends of his childhood. The grand old man's face really beamed with delight as he, in his sweet, quiet voice, said, "They have not only pleased me, but I will have the further pleasure of showing all my young friends these dear old Nursery Rhymes and Jingles."
"He swells his lifted chest and backward flings
His bridling neck beneath his towering wings;
The female with a meeker charm succeeds,
And her brown little ones around her leads,
Nibbling the water-lilies as they pass."
"An Evening Walk."—Wordsworth.