Produced by Don Kostuch [Transcriber's notes] Page numbers in this book are indicated by numbers enclosed in curly braces, e.g. {99}. They have been located where page breaks occurred in the original book. Underscores indicate italics. Several pages have only pictures with no text. None of the images in the book have descriptions and most are abstract, so they are not mentioned in this txt file. View the HTML version to see the images. [End Transcriber's notes] MOTHER TRUTH'S MELODIES. COMMON SENSE FOR CHILDREN. A KINDERGARTEN, BY MRS. E. P. MILLER, AUTHOR OF "A FATHER'S ADVICE; A BOOK FOR EVERY BOY." AND "A MOTHER'S ADVICE; A BOOK FOR EVERY GIRL." 450 ILLUSTRATIONS. NEW AND ENLARGED EDITION. CHICAGO: CRAM STANDARD BOOK CO., BOSTON, MASS., J. Q. ADAMS & Co 1896. COPYRIGHTED 1887, BY STANDARD PUBLISHING COMPANY. COPYRIGHTED BY STANDARD COLUMBIAN COMPANY, 1891, 1892. COPYRIGHTED BY CRAM STANDARD BOOK COMPANY 1894 COPYRIGHTED BY GEORGE F. CRAM, 1895 {5} To all who love the Children, This book, INSCRIBED, I bring,-- Thus reaching forth to draw you Within my charmed ring, Where seeds and germs we'll nurture In babies, children, youth, Till every plant shall blossom, And bear the fruits of TRUTH. {6} INTRODUCTION. Since little ones are _geese_ no more, But _knowing_ have become, It ill beseems that "Mother Goose" Should dwell in every home. So "Mother Truth" in "Melodies" For Babes, here lifts her voice, Assured that parents, children, all, Will welcome and rejoice. {7} NOTE. Let no one suppose that the Author of these "Melodies" considers them poetry. They are simply rhymes, the jingle of which may be music in the children's ears, and the illustrations a delight to eager eyes. The Truths presented, even if not fully understood at first, will leave their impress, and in so far as they fill the little minds, will keep out falsehood and false ideas. The putting of facts in such form as to attract the attention of the little ones, and be readily fixed in their memory, was first suggested to the writer of these rhymes by a valued friend, the well known philanthropist, MRS. ELIZABETH THOMPSON, and her interest in the "Melodies" is such that she has generously assisted in procuring illustrations for the same. Thus "Mother Truth's Melodies" are introduced with the hope that this effort to entertain children with rhyming reason will meet with the approval of every lover of the young, and of Truth. {8} Poetry is the language of the imagination, while "facts are stubborn things," and, in the mass, refuse utterly to be poetized. Yet, even facts may be presented pleasingly and melodiously, and in such way that they will be easily impressed upon the minds of children. This the author of "Mother Truth's Melodies" sought to do, when the little book was first given to the public.