The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast

Mr. Roscoe

The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast

Table of Contents
The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast...........................................................................................1
Mr. Roscoe...............................................................................................................................................2
THE BUTTERFLY'S BALL...................................................................................................................4
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................5
THE BUTTERFLY'S BALL...................................................................................................................8

The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast

The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast

Mr. Roscoe

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THE
BUTTERFLY'S BALL,
[Illustration]
AND THE
GRASSHOPPER'S FEAST.
[Illustration]
By Mr. ROSCOE.
ILLUSTRATED WITH ELEGANT ENGRAVINGS.
LONDON:
Printed for J. HARRIS, Successor to E. NEWBERY,
at the Original Juvenile Library, the Corner of
St. Paul's Church Yard.
1808.
Printed on Handmade Paper, bound in characteristic style, with uncut edges, price HalfaCrown,
GOODY TWOSHOES
A FACSIMILE REPRODUCTION
OF THE
EDITION OF 1766
WITH AN INTRODUCTION
GIVING SOME ACCOUNT OF THE BOOK AND SOME SPECULATIONS
AS TO ITS AUTHORSHIP
BY
CHARLES WELSH
The facsimile of 'Goody TwoShoes,' which Mr Welsh has edited,
and Messrs Griffith and Farran published, might be classed among
2

The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast

the Christmas books of the season, but it deserves more extended
notice, as reproducing a volume which, if hardly known to the
present generation, ranks among English Classics. Mr Welsh deserves
hearty thanks for the trouble he has taken in producing this neat
little volume.Athenum.
We are sure that many who are no longer in their youth will be
pleased to see it.Queen.
A very quaint little book.Punch.
Notwithstanding the difficulties of type, the cramped pages
that will not keep open, and the hideous woodcuts so faithfully
reproduced, we have seen more than one child reject the latest
picture book of Mr Caldecott or Kate Greenaway, with its purple
and gold, for the hodden grey of 'Goody TwoShoes.'Pall
Mall Gazette.
GRIFFITH &FARRAN,
Successors to Newbery &Harris,
WEST CORNER OF ST PAUL'S CHURCHYARD, LONDON.
==> A few copies are done up in an exact reproduction, by hand, of
the original flowery and gilt Dutch pattern, price Five Shillings.

The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast

THE BUTTERFLY'S BALL

AND THE
GRASSHOPPER'S FEAST
BY MR ROSCOE
A FACSIMILE REPRODUCTION
OF THE
EDITION OF 1808
WITH AN INTRODUCTION
BY CHARLES WELSH
GRIFFITH &FARRAN
Successors to Newbery &Harris
WEST CORNER OF ST PAUL'S CHURCHYARD, LONDON
FIELD &TUER, YE LEADENHALLE PRESSE, E.C.
MDCCCLXXXIII

The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast

INTRODUCTION.
Early in the present century John Harrisone of the successors to the business of Honest John
Newbery, now carried on by Messrs Griffith & Farran at the old corner of St. Paul's Churchyardbegan the
publication of a series of little books, which for many years were probably among the most famous of the
productions of the House. Now, however, according to the fate which usually overtakes books for children,
nearly all of them are forgotten or unknown.
The first book in this series which was known as Harris's Cabinet was The Butterfly's Ball, and was
published in January 1807. This was followed in the same year by The Peacock at Home (a sequel to The
Butterfly's Ball"), The Elephant's Ball, and The Lion's Masquerade;" and then (prompted no doubt by the
success of these, for we learn on the publisher's authority that of the two first 40,000 copies were sold within
twelve months) Mr Harris brought out a torrent of little books of a like kind, of which the titles were: The
Lioness's Ball, The Lobster's Voyage to the Brazils, The Cat's Concert, The Fishes' Grand Gala,
Madame Grimalkin's Party, The Jackdaw's Home, The Lion's Parliament, The Water King's Leve;
and in 1809, by which time, naturally enough, the idea seems to have become quite threshed out and
exhausted, the last of the Series was published; this was entitled, The Three Wishes, or Think before you
Speak.
Of this long list of books a few of the titles are still familiar, and one of them, The Butterfly's Ball, may
certainly claim to have become a Nursery Classic. It is still in regular demand; the edition now in sale being
illustrated by Harrison Weir; it has been published in various forms, and has figured in most of the collections
of prose and verse for the young that have been issued during this century. Probably to the minds of hundreds
of people past middle age few lines are more familiar than the opening couplet
Come take up your hats, and away let us haste
To the Butterfly's Ball and Grasshopper's Feast
and many no doubt by a little effort of memory could repeat the whole poem.
Hardly less famous were the three books which next followed in order of issueThe Peacock at Home,
The Elephant's Ball, and The Lion's Masquerade. Their original size was 5 by 4 inches, and they were
issued in a simple printed paper wrapper. It is of these first four books that the reprint is here given, and in
order to present both pictures and text with greater effect this reprint has been made upon considerably larger
paper; the text and illustrations are facsimile reproductions of originals from the celebrated Flaxman
collection recently dispersed at a sale by Messrs Christie, Manson, &Woods, when Mr Tuer, to whom I am
indebted for their loan, became their fortunate possessor. The Butterfly's Ball is not a reproduction of the
first edition, which, as will be shown later on, would be considered by those who are familiar with the poem
as incomplete. Moreover, the illustrations in the edition here presented are obviously by the same hand as that
which embellished the other three books, and it was felt that for these reasons it would possess a greater
interest.
The Butterfly's Ball first appeared in the November number of the Gentleman's Magazine, where it is
said to have been written by William RoscoeM.P. for Liverpool, the author of The Life of Leo X., and
well known in the literary circles of his dayfor the use of his children, and set to music by order of their
Majesties for the Princess Mary. When the verses were subsequently published in book form, the text and
pictures were engraved together on copperplates. An edition, with pictures on separate pages, appeared early
in the next year, which is the one here reproduced.
In this edition there are many variations from the previous one. The allusions to little Robertevidently
William Roscoe's sondo not occur in the former, and many slight improvements, tending to make the verses
more rhythmical and flowing, are introduced. The whole passage, Then close on his haunches (p. 7) to
Chirp his own praises the rest of the night, &c. (p. 10), is an interpolation in this later edition. It is, I believe,
certain that the verses were written by Roscoe for his children on the occasion of the birthday of his son
Robert, who was nearly the youngest of his seven sons. No doubt when they were copied out for setting to
music the allusions to his own family were omitted by the author. A correspondent of Notes and
5

The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast

Querieswho is, I believe, a niece of the late Sir George Smartsays, in reference to the question of the
setting of the verses to music, that
The MS., in Roscoe's own handwriting, as sent to Sir G. Smart
for setting to music, is in a valuable collection of autographs
bequeathed by the musician to his daughter. The glee was written
for the three princessesElizabeth, Augusta, and Marydaughters
of George III, and pupils of Sir George, and was performed by them
during one of their usual visits to Weymouth.
The Peacock at Home and The Lion's Masquerade were, as the titlepage puts it, written by a Lady,
and we should most likely have remained in ignorance as to who the lady was if there had not been published
in 1816 another little book of a somewhat similar character, entitled The Peacock and Parrot on their Tour to
discover the Author of 'The Peacock at Home,' which, the Preface tells us, was written immediately after the
appearance of The Peacock at Home, but from various circumstances was laid aside. In the opinion of the
publishers, the Preface goes on to say, it is so nearly allied in point of merit to that celebrated trifle that it is
introduced at this late period.
The book relates in verse how the peacock and parrot
... far as England extends
Then together did travel to visit their friends,
Endeavour to find out the name of our poet,
And ere we return ten to one that we know it.
After long travelling
A path strewed with flowers they gaily pursued,
And in fancy their longsought Incognita viewed.
Till all their cares over in Dorset they found her,
And plucking a wreath of green bayleaves they crowned her.
In a footnote is added, Mrs Dorset was the authoress of 'The Peacock at Home.'
Mrs Dorset, according to a note by Mr Dyce which appears on the flyleaf of a copy of The Peacock at
Home, in the Dyce and Forster Collection at South Kensington, was sister to Charlotte Smith. Their maiden
name was Turner.
The British Museum Catalogue says Mrs Dorset also wrote The Three Wishes, or Think before you
Speak, which is the last on the list of books in Harris's Cabinet. (See p. iv.)
It seems to be clear that the same lady wrote The Lion's Masquerade as The Peacock at Home, for in
The Lioness's Ball (a companion to The Lion's Masquerade") the dedication begins thus
I do not, fair Dorset, I do not aspire,
With notes so unhallowed as mine,
To touch the sweet strings of thy beautiful lyre,
Or covet the praise that is thine.
I regret that I am unable to offer any conjecture here as to the W. B. who wrote The Elephant's Ball:
the same initials appear to an appendix to an edition of Goody Two Shoes, published some time before
1780, but this may be a coincidence only.
*****
Besides the interest and merit of these little books on literary grounds, these earlier editions are especially
noteworthy because they were illustrated by the painter William Mulready, and the drawings he made for
them are amongst the earliest efforts of his genius: they were executed before he had reached man's estate. It
is not a little curious to observe in this connection how many artists who have risen to eminence have at the
outset of their career been employed in illustrating books for children; it would indeed appear that until
comparatively recent years the veriest tiro was considered capable of furnishing the necessary embellishments
for books for the nurserya state of things which, we need not say, happily does not obtain in the present
day. Notwithstanding this, however, these and many other little books of a bygone time abound in instructive
indications of the beginnings of genius which has subsequently delighted the world with its masterpieces.
6

The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast

In connection with Mulready and children's books it may be interesting to note that in 1806 a little book
called The Looking Glass was published, said to be written by William Godwin under the name of
Theophilus Markliffe. This work is the history and early adventures of a young artist, and it is known that it
was compiled from a conversation with Mulready, who was then engaged in illustrating some juvenile books
for the author, and the facts in it relate to the painter's early life. It contains illustrations of the talent of the
subject done at three, five, and six years old, which are presumed to be imitations of Mulready's own drawings
at the same ages.
*****
I cannot more fitly close these few words of Introduction than by quoting the quaint and curious
announcement with which Mr Harris was wont to commend these little books to the public. It is
unnecessary, says he, for the publisher to say anything more of these little productions than that they have
been purchased with avidity and read with satisfaction by persons in all ranks of life. No doubt the public of
today will be curious to see what manner of book it was that was so eagerly sought after by the children of
the early days of the present century, and interested in comparing it with the more finished but often showy
and sensational productions of our own time.
C. W.
LEYTONSTONE,
September 1883.

THE
BUTTERFLY'S BALL,
AND THE
GRASSHOPPER'S FEAST.
BY MR. ROSCOE.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR J. HARRIS, SUCCESSOR TO E. NEWBERY,
AT THE ORIGINAL JUVENILE LIBRARY, CORNER
OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD.
1808.
Field &Tuer, Ye Leadenhalle Presse, London.

FRONTISPIECE.
[Illustration: Come take up your hats &away let us haste.
Pub. Jan. 25, 1808, by J. Harris, corner St. Paul's Church Yd. ]

The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast

THE BUTTERFLY'S BALL.

Come take up your Hats, and away let us haste

To the Butterfly's Ball, and the Grasshopper's Feast.
The Trumpeter, Gadfly, has summon'd the Crew,
And the Revels are now only waiting for you.
So said little Robert, and pacing along,
His merry Companions came forth in a Throng.
And on the smooth Grass, by the side of a Wood,
Beneath a broad Oak that for Ages had stood,
[Illustration: Saw the children of earth &the tenants of air, ]
Saw the Children of Earth, and the Tenants of Air,
For an Evening's Amusement together repair.
And there came the Beetle, so blind and so black,
Who carried the Emmet, his Friend, on his Back.
And there was the Gnat and the Dragonfly too,
With all their Relations, Green, Orange, and Blue.
And there came the Moth, with his Plumage of Down,
And the Hornet in Jacket of Yellow and Brown;
Who with him the Wasp, his Companion, did bring,
But they promis'd, that Evening, to lay by their Sting.
And the sly little Dormouse crept out of his Hole,
And brought to the Feast his blind Brother, the Mole.
[Illustration: And the sly little dormouse crept out of his hole.]
And the Snail, with his Horns peeping out of his Shell,
Came from a great Distance, the Length of an Ell.
A Mushroom their Table, and on it was laid
A Waterdock Leaf, which a Tablecloth made.
[Illustration: And the Bee brought her honey, &c.]
The Viands were various, to each of their Taste,
And the Bee brought her Honey to crown the Repast.
Then close on his Haunches, so solemn and wise,
The Frog from a Corner, look'd up to the Skies.
And the Squirrel well pleas'd such Diversions to see,
Mounted high over Head, and look'd down from a Tree.
Then out came the Spider, with Finger so fine,
To shew his Dexterity on the tight Line.
From one Branch to another, his Cobwebs he slung,
Then quick as an Arrow he darted along,
But just in the Middle,Oh! shocking to tell,
From his Rope, in an Instant, poor Harlequin fell.
[Illustration: Hung suspended in air, &c.]
Yet he touch'd not the Ground, but with Talons outspread,
Hung suspended in Air, at the End of a Thread.
Then the Grasshopper came with a Jerk and a Spring,
Very long was his Leg, though but short was his Wing;
He took but three Leaps, and was soon out of Sight,
Then chirp'd his own Praises the rest of the Night.
8

The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast

With Step so majestic the Snail did advance,
And promis'd the Gazers a Minuet to dance.
[Illustration: With step so Majestic the snail did advance, ]
But they all laugh'd so loud that he pull'd in his Head,
And went in his own little Chamber to Bed.
Then, as Evening gave Way to the Shadows of Night,
Their Watchman, the Glowworm, came out with a Light.
[Illustration: So said little Robert, &pacing along, &c.]
Then Home let us hasten, while yet we can see,
For no Watchman is waiting for you and for me,
So said little Robert, and pacing along,
His merry Companions returned in a Throng.
END OF THE BUTTERFLY'S BALL.