We know how, from the earliest ages, a doll has been the favourite toy with girls, and the reign of 'Good Queen Anne' was no exception to the general rule--but they were not then called Dolls, but 'Babies'; so, indeed, were Powel's Marionettes--as also the milliner's models. 'On Saturday last, being the 12th instant, there arrived at my House in King Street, Covent Garden, a French Baby for the year 1712' &c. Some were made of wax, but these were, of course, of the expensive sort, as must also have been those in Widow Smith's raffle--'large joynted dressed Babies.' Probably, dolls were the girls' only playthings. As to the boys, history records very little of their amusements. Give a boy in the nursery a whip, or a stick, to beat somebody, or something, he generally is content. How superlatively happy, however, must he have been in the possession of one of these wonderful horses?--warranted chargers--troop horses, every one! They also had card-board windmills on the end of sticks. We hear nothing of marbles, tops, or any other toys; but, doubtless, children's ingenuity supplied any defects that way, then as now, and made shift to play, and amuse themselves, until the time of enfranchisement came, and the boy could wander in the streets and see the marvels of the raree show, and buy 'hot baked wardens--hot,' or some of old 'Colly Molly Puffe's' pastry--or, should his tastes be simpler, there were 'Ripe Strawberryes,' or 'Sixpence a pound fair Cherryes.' [Illustration: 'Troope, Every One.'] These little folk, however, had their special literature. For there was compiled and printed 'A Play book for Children, to allure them to read as soon as they can speak plain; composed of small Pages so as not to tire children; printed with a fair and pleasing Letter, the Matter and Method plainer and easier than any yet extant.' The price of this was fourpence, and it must have been a favourite, for it is advertised as being in its second edition in 1703. Certainly, the little ones then lacked many advantages in this way that ours possess--but, on the other hand, so much was not required of them. There was no dreaded 'Exam.' to prepare for--no doing lessons all day long, and then working hard at night to get ready for the next day's toil. They were not taught half a dozen languages, and all the ologies, whilst still in the nursery; but, were the suggestions and advice given to 'the Mother' in Steele's 'Lady's Library' thoroughly carried out, they would grow up good men and women. [Illustration: A Raree Show.]