t sets of
children: the whole being collected in the course of last year, were then
illustrated, and published in a single volume, by Mr. R.J. Bush, of 32
Charing Cross.

The contents of the third or present volume were made also at different
intervals in the last two years.

Long years ago, in days when much of my time was passed in a country house,
where children and mirth abounded, the lines beginning, "There was an old
man of Tobago," were suggested to me by a valued friend, as a form of verse
lending itself to limitless variety for rhymes and pictures; and
thenceforth the greater part of the original drawings and verses for the
first "Book of Nonsense" were struck off with a pen, no assistance ever
having been given me in any way but that of uproarious delight and welcome
at the appearance of every new absurdity.

Most of these Drawings and Rhymes were transferred to lithographic stones
in the year 1846, and were then first published by Mr. Thomas McLean, of
the Haymarket. But that edition having been soon exhausted, and the call
for the "Book of Nonsense" continuing, I added a considerable number of
subjects to those previously-published, and having caused the whole to be
carefully reproduced in woodcuts by Messrs. Dalzell, I disposed of the
copyright to Messrs. Routledge and Warne, by whom the volume was published
in 1843.
EDWARD LEAR.

VILLA EMILY, SAN REMO,
August, 1871.

NONSENSE BOTANY.

[Illustration: Barkia Howlaloudia.]

[Illustration: Enkoopia Chickabiddia.]

[Illustration: Jinglia Tinkettlia.]

[Illustration: Nasticreechia Krorluppia.]

[Illustration: Arthbroomia Rigida.]

[Illustration: Sophtsluggia Glutinosa.]

[Illustration: Minspysia Deliciosa.]

[Illustration: Shoebootia Utilis.]

[Illustration: Stunnia Dinnerbellia.]

[Illustration: Tickia Orologica.]

[Illustration: Washtubbia Circularis.]

[Illustration: Tigerlillia Terribilis.]

* * * * *

ONE HUNDRED NONSENSE PICTURES AND RHYMES.

[Illustration]

There was a young person of Bantry,
Who frequently slept in the pantry;
When disturbed by the mice, she appeased them with rice,
That judicious young person of Bantry.

[Illustration]

There was an Old Man at a Junction,
Whose feelings were wrung with compunction
When they said, "The Train's gone!" he exclaimed, "How forlorn!"