We two—the author and his illustrator—did not know what we had done until the newspapers told us. But the press has explained it in the following poised and consistent criticism:
“Too many suggestions of profanity.”
—Congregationalist, Boston, 8 Dec. ’92.
“It ought to be the delight of the nursery.”
—National Tribune, Washington, 22 Dec. ’92.
“Grotesque and horrible.”
—Zion’s Herald, Boston, 21 Dec. ’92.
“Some excellent moral lessons.”
—Citizen, Brooklyn, 27 Nov. ’92.
“If it has any lesson to teach, we have been unable to find it.”
—Independent, New York, 10 Nov. ’92.
“The story is a familiar one.”
—Detroit Free Press, 28 Nov. ’92.
“Refreshingly novel.”
—Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, 17 Dec. ’92.
“It is a burlesque.”
—Atlantic Monthly, Dec. ’92.
“All those who love lessons drawn from life will enjoy this book.”
—Christian Advocate, Cincinnati, 2 Nov. ’92.