My dear little Blossoms, there are now in this world, and always
will be, a great many grannies besides myself, both in petticoats
and pantaloons, some a deal younger to be sure; but all monstrous
wise, and of my own family name. These old women, who never had
chick nor child of their own, but who always know how to bring up
other people's children, will tell you with very long faces, that
my enchanting, quieting, soothing volume, my all-sufficient anodyne
for cross, peevish, won't-be-comforted little bairns, ought to be
laid aside for more learned books, such as THEY could select and
publish. Fudge! I tell you that all their batterings can't deface
my beauties, nor their wise pratings equal my wiser prattlings;
and all imitators of my refreshing songs might as well write a new
Billy Shakespeare as another Mother Goose--we two great poets were
born together, and we shall go out of the world together.
No, no my Melodies will never die,
While nurses sing, or babies cry.
History of the Goose Family.
[FROM THE BOSTON TRANSCRIPT.]
Cotton Mather And Mother Goose.
MR. EDITOR:--Your correspondent, N.B.S., has so decisively given
a QUIETUS to the question as to the birthplace of Cotton Mather,
that there is no danger of its ever being revived again. But there
is another question of equal importance to many, to the literary
world in particular, which should in like manner be put to rest.
WHO WAS MOTHER GOOSE? and WHEN were her melodies first given to the
world? These are questions which have been often asked, but have
never been satisfactorily answered. The recent publication of a
book called "Mother Goose for Old Folks" has again revived these
questions, which serves to show that the subject has not yet lost
its interest.
Many persons imagine that Mother Goose is a myth,--that no such
person ever existed. This is a mistake. MOTHER GOOSE was not
only a veritable personage, but was born and resided many years in
Boston, where many of her descendants may now be found. The last
that bore this ancient paternal cognomen died about the year 1807,
and was buried in the Old Granary Burying Ground, where probably lie
the remains of the whole blood, if we may judge from the numerous
grave-stones which mark their resting place. The family originated in
England, but at what time they came to this country is unknown,--but
probably about the year 1656. This was the "Wealthy family of
Goose" which is immortalized by Mr. Bowditch in his book of Suffolk
Names, who at the same time has immortalized himself. They were
landholders in Boston, so early as 1660. Nearly half the space
between West and Winter streets, on Washington street, and extending
westerly towards Tremont street, 275 feet belonged to this family,
as did also a large tract of land on Essex, Rowe, and Bedford
streets, upon which now stand two churches and a large number of
dwelling houses. SO MUCH FOR MOTHER GOOSE. Now for her melodies.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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