Gammer Gurton's Garland

Book excerpt: This little book is a reproduction of the work published in 1866. The interior illustrations are digital reproductions of the originals, and will bring pleasure to the children and adults who delight in the nursery rhymes that inspire their imaginations with the traditions and culture of Old England, and hint at the history of that ancient country. From the introduction: "Gammer Gurton's Garland, or the Nursery Parnassus," was originally issued at Stockton, as a small twopenny brochure, in 32mo, without a date, "printed by and for R. Christopher." Sir Harris Nicholas says it appeared in the year 1783, "one of the most prolific of Ritson's pen." Haslewood is of opinion that it appeared about the same period as "The Bishopric Garland, or Durham Minstrel," which was printed at Stockton for the same R. Christopher in 1784. "Gammer Gurton's Garland" was again printed, with additions, 1809, in 8vo. This little work, a great favourite with those for whose amusement it was compiled, has been more than once reprinted since. The present edition has been very carefully executed, and rendered complete by the addition of an index. "The impression has been limited to one hundred copies small paper, and twelve copies large paper. "Glasgow, mdccclxvi." Caution to parents: The nursery rhymes and songs in this book were written for the children of the 18th and 19th Centuries; 21st Century children may be unsettled or disturbed by some of the images in the rhymes. Parents should read these nursery rhymes with their children, and help them to understand the history, traditions, and cultures of those times.