The Royal Picture Alphabet   By: John Leighton (1822-1912)

OF HUMOUR AND DROLL MORAL TALES OR WORDS & THEIR MEANINGS ILLUSTRATED

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LONDON: WARD AND LOCK, 158, FLEET STREET.

[Illustration: LAUGH and LEARN]

[Illustration: The Royal Picture Alphabet.]

POETICAL PREFACE TO THE ROYAL PICTURE ALPHABET.

TO PRECEPTORS.

With learning may laughter be found, "'Tis good to be merry and wise;" To gaily get over the ground, As higher and higher we rise.

Some children their letters may learn, While others will surely do more, As the subjects suggestively turn To matters not thought of before.

Descriptions and pictures combined Are here made attractive and clear; So suited that children may find From error the truth to appear.

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A a.

ABLUTION, The Act of Cleansing .

The little sweep has washed his face, But not as we advise: For black as soot he's made the soap, And rubbed it in his eyes.

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B b.

BARTER, Exchange .

Here's Master Mack presenting fruit, Of which he makes display; He knows he'll soon have Lucy's rope, And with it skip away.

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C c.

CATASTROPHE, a Final Event ( generally unhappy ).

"Oh here's a sad catastrophe!" Was Mrs. Blossom's cry Then "Water! water! bring to me Or all my fish will die."

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D d.

DELIGHTFUL, easant, Charming .

These boys are bathing in the stream When they should be at school: The master's coming round to see Who disregards his rule.

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E e.

ECCENTRICITY, Irregularity, Strangeness .

We often see things seeming strange; But scarce so strange as this: Here everything is mis applied, Here every change amiss.

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F f.

FRAUD, Deceit, Trick, Artifice, Cheat .

Here is Pat Murphy, fast asleep. And there is Neddy Bray: The thief a watchful eye doth keep Until he gets away.

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G g.

GENIUS, Mental Power, Faculty .

A little boy with little slate May sometimes make more clear The little thoughts that he would state Than can by words appear.

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H h.

HORROR, Terror, Dread .

This little harmless speckled frog Seems Lady Townsend's dread: I fear she'll run away and cry, And hide her silly head.

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I i. J j.

ICHABOD AT THE JAM. ICHABOD, a Christian Name . JAM, a Conserve of Fruits .

Enough is good, excess is bad: Yet Ichabod you see, Will with the jam his stomach cram, Until they disagree.

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K k.

KNOWING, Conscious, Intelligent .