add to favorites : reference url back to results : previous : next
 
Zoom in Zoom out Pan left Pan right Pan up Pan down Maximum resolution Fit in window Fit to width Rotate left Rotate right Hide/show thumbnail
Cobwebs to catch flies, or, Dialogues in short sentences, adapted to children from the age of three to eight years (v.2, cover)
Cobwebs to catch flies, or, Dialogues in short sentences, adapted to children from the age of three to eight years (v.2, cover)
TitleCobwebs to catch flies, or, Dialogues in short sentences, adapted to children from the age of three to eight years (v.2, cover)
AuthorLovechild, Mrs. (Lady Eleanor Frere Fenn), 1743-1813
PublisherMarshall, John
Publisher LocationEngland--London
Publication Dateca. 1794
PrinterMarshall, John
IllustratorUnknown
Image Production ProcessRelief prints--woodcuts
NotesIllustrated with uncolored woodcuts.
This book uses the progressive method of teaching reading, starting with words of three to six letters in Volume 1 and "progressing" to words of one to four syllables according to the child's age in Volume II. The lessons are presented as a series of short, illustrated dialogues between mother and child or between two children. Because it focuses on the child's own experience and interests, it provides us with an invaluable insight into the everyday life and speech of the contemporary child.
This is volume two of a two volume set. Volume two contains "instructive lessons in words of one syllable, two syllables, three syllables, four syllables, suited to children from five to eight years of age."
Written in the introductory section, "To my little readers": Do not imagine that, like a great spider, I will give you a hard gripe and infuse venum to blow you up. No, I mean to catch you gently, whisper in your ear, "Be good, and then you will be beloved. Be good, and you will be happy"; and then release you to frisk about in pursuit of your innocent pastimes. Dear little creatures! enjoy your sports; be merry as you will; but remember the old proverb, "Be merry and wise". You whole duty is contained in one short precept, "Obey readily and cheerfully."
Contextual NotesLady Eleanor Frere Fenn wrote numerous short books for children in the 1780s under the pseudonyms "Mrs. Teachwell" "'Mrs. Lovechild" and "Solomon Lovechild." Her work proved popular, and her books did much to establish John Marshall as the predominant publisher of children's books in the 1780s and '90s.
Written in dialogues, this popular reader was in print throughout the nineteenth century. This book deviated from earlier readers in that was printed in large type with a spacious layout and contained simple illustrations that related directly to the text.
CategoryPrimers (Instructional books)
Moral instruction
Cautionary tales
LanguageEnglish
Digital CollectionChildren's Historical Literature Collection
Digital ID NumberCHL0892
RepositoryUniversity of Washington Libraries, Special Collections Division
Repository CollectionChildren's Historical Literature Collection. 372.4 F36c v.2
Object TypeBook
Physical Description88 p.: illustrated; 15.5 x 10.5 cm.
Digital Reproduction InformationScanned from original book at 400-600 dpi in TIFF format using a ScanMaker 6800, resized and enhanced using Adobe Photoshop, and imported as JPEG2000 using Contentdm's software JPEG2000 Extension. 2008.
Exhibit ChecklistExhibit checklist L.31
add to favorites : reference url back to results : previous : next

© University of Washington. All rights reserved.
The Community Museum is a project of community organizations and Tribes across the Olympic Peninsula and the University of Washington.
Support for the project comes from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Preston, Gates and Ellis, LLP.