most remarkable for Virtue thought themselves honoured by the Addresses of the two Brothers. They all married and made good Papas and Mamas, and so the blessing goes round." _The Brother's Gift, or the Naughty Girl Reformed_, of which the third Worcester edition was printed in 1791, bore these lines as a motto:-- "Ye Misses, Shun the Coxcomb of the Mall, The Masquerade, the Rout, the Midnight Ball; In lieu of these more useful arts pursue, And as you're fair, be wise and virtuous too." Though useful arts were inculcated by this book, the reward of virtue to the reformed girl was a fine new pair of stays, which are duly pictured. Another of Newbery's beloved books was _The History of Tommy Careless, or the Misfortunes of a Week_. On Monday Tommy fell in the water, spoiled his coat, and was sent to bed. On Tuesday he lost his kite and ended the day in bed. On Wednesday he fell from the apple tree, and again was put in bed. Thursday the maid gave him two old pewter spoons; he made some dump-moulds, and in casting his dumps scalded his fingers, and as ever was put in retirement. On Friday he killed the canary bird--and to bed again. On Saturday he managed to incite Dobbin to kick the house dog and kill him; then he caught his own fingers in a trap, and ended the week in bed as he began it. [Illustration: Be MERRY and WISE; OR, THE CREAM of the JESTS AND THE MARROW of MAXIMS For the Conduct of LIFE. _Publi[f.]hed for the U[f.]e of all good Little_ BOYS _and_ GIRLS. By TOMMY TRAPWIT, E[f.]q. ADORNED with CUTS. _Would you be agreeable in Company, and u[f.]eful to Society; carry [f.]ome merry Je[f.]ts in your Mind, and hone[f.]t Maxims in your Heart._ GROTIUS. THE FIRST _WORCESTER_ EDITION. WORCESTER, (MASSACHUSETTS) PRINTED BY ISAIAH THOMAS, AND SOLD AT HIS BOOK STORE. MDCCLXXXVI. Title-page of _Be Merry and Wise_] When we think of the vast number of these books, it seems strange that so few have survived. The penny books were too valueless to be saved. Sometimes we find one among abandoned or discarded piles or bundles of books. It has been the fate, however, of most children's books to be destroyed by children. With coarse, time-browned paper, poor type, and torn, worn leaves, they are not very attractive. Open one at random. Ten to one you have before you the page upon which centres the interest of the book, its climax, its adventure, or its high wit. That page was a favorite. Many times you will find crude attempts at amateur coloring of the prints.