01. Ruthless Rhymes For Heartless Homes

I received my copy of Ruthless Rhymes for Heartless Homes -- it's the 1901 USA publication (New York: R.H. Russell). I'll be adding the poems here as time permits.

There are some distinct differences from the current Dover Publication edition available -- some poems were ommitted from the Dover edition and some poems that were included in the Dover edition appear to be later works of Mr. Graham (not in the original Ruthless Rhymes).

There are some wonderful black and white plates (nothing like the art in the Dover book) by "J.W.A", buit most of the poems are only accompanied by crude icon graphics that appear to have little to do with the poems themselves.

If I can ever figure out why my camera is refusing to talk to my computer, I'll upload some pictures.

Also of note -- as popular has his work was, it appears Mr. Graham took some heat that insinuated the poems weren't suitable for children -- and Mr. Graham agreed (or was he pulling our collective leg?). In his rhyming dedication, he suggests that readers from the age of "two to eight" shouldn't read his book. In his rhyming preface, he suggests that readers need to be at least seventeen years of age.

It seems the required age is determined by the rhyme scheme. ;)