The Ladder to Learning: A Collection of Fables Arranged Progressively in Words of One, Two, and Three Syllables, with Original Morals · Carlson Fable Collection

Title

en_US The Ladder to Learning: A Collection of Fables Arranged Progressively in Words of One, Two, and Three Syllables, with Original Morals

Description

en_US This is a hardbound book (hard cover)

en_US 14th edition

en_US Edited and Improved by Mrs. Trimmer

Creator

en_US Trimmer, Sarah See all items with this value

Date

2016-01-25T19:11:45Z

en_US 2000-03

en_US 1835

Date Available

2016-01-25T19:11:45Z

Date Issued

en_US 1835

Abstract

en_US Mrs. Trimmer's work is mentioned by Hobbs (22), with a first edition in 1789, as an example of the inventing of original fables for children based only loosely on folklore. This little booklet (with a page size of about 4 x 5) of viii + 222 pages takes its name of ladder because it offers three steps, divided according to the number of syllables it allows in the words. Ladders surround the title on the first title-page. Step the First groups twenty-four fables on 63 pages by animals (wolf, fox, horse, and detached). As I read, I find Hobbs' remark surprising, since I find only traditional stories here. The first three are The Wolf and the Lamb, The Wolf and the Crane, and The Wolf and the Kid. The Fox and the Wolf (34) has the usual story of betrayal of the wolf by the fox and inhabitation of the wolf's cave by the fox, but this version then introduces a bear who admonishes the fox. The illustration for The Cock and the Fox (37) pictures the hunters and dogs who are, in perhaps the best telling of the story, only a clever fiction created by the cock. The next fable continues with the same cock and the same fox. The latter, caught in a trap, asks the former for help. The cock runs to inform the master, who comes to club the fox. The scene is well illustrated on 39. On the same page, the other illustration features the horse, with an alleged thorn in his hoof, kicking not a wolf but a bear. Step the Second (65-155) features thirty-five fables using two-syllable words. Step the Third (157-221) offers twenty-nine fables with three-syllable words. The interpaginated cuts occur throughout two to a page, one over the other. Unsigned, they are always titled and include a page reference to the appropriate fable. They surprise me with their detail and quality. Some of the best are: WSC and FC (17); The Case Altered with a great finger pointing at the lawyer (132); and BF (159). A special prize goes to the pair of illustrations facing 65, including a good reflection of the stag in the water and a great deal of surprise from the naked thief in the well as the clever boy steals his clothes! By contrast both illustrations facing 76 are ghastly. The boy from BW is about to be torn limb from limb by a dragon-like wolf, and the man in GGE looks as though he has either seen a ghost or become one! I like this little book very much, since it tells its tales pointedly and illustrates them well. It seems to me to avoid the preachiness of so many contemporary works.

Identifier

en_US 4338 (Access ID)

uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10504/80010

Language

en_US eng

Publisher

en_US John Harris

en_US London

Subject

en_US PZ8.2.T83 La 1835 See all items with this value

en_US Aesop See all items with this value

en_US Title Page Scanned See all items with this value

Type

en_US Book, Whole