The Royal Rhythmical Alphabet, 1841

JF Ptak Science Books   Quick Post

I've just come into a 20-odd year run of the lovely satirical and social commentary magazine called Punch, or the London Charivari.  The magazine was long live, surviving from 1841 to 1992; my bit is from the 1870's-1900 or so.  It is oversized, printed on an interesting stock that is faintly luxurious to the touch, and bound in a bright deep blue decorated cloth--its just a pleasure to hold.  Luckily I've been finding the material that I wanted to post here already online, for the most part, which means I don't need to trouble the bindings for scanning purposes. 

Nursey Education Report--2  The Royal Rhythmical Alphabet

To be said or sung by the Infant Princess

Punch, August, 1841.

The following satirical alphabet comes to us from the first year of Punch's publication and has a fair amount of bite to it, particularly in regards to the landed classes.  It is fairly unkind to the King, as well.

A stands for Aristocracy, a thing I should admire;

	A stands for Aristocracy, a thing I should admire;
	B stands for a Bishop, who is clothed in soft attire;
	C beginneth Cabinet, where Mamma keeps her tools;
	D doth stand for Downing-street, the “Paradise of Fools;”
	E beginneth England, that granteth the supplies;
	F doth stand for Foreigners, whom I should patronize;
	G doth stand for Gold—good gold!—for which man freedom barters;
	H beginneth Honors—that is, ribbons, stars, and garters;
	I stands for my Income (several thousand pounds per ann.);
	J stands for Johnny Bull, a soft and easy kind of man;
	K beginneth King, who rules the land by “right divine;”
	L’s for Mrs. Lilly, who was once a nurse of mine.
	M beginneth Melbourne, who rules the roast and State;
	N stands for a Nobleman, who’s always good and great.
	O is for the Opera, that I should only grace;
	P stands for the Pension List, for “servants out of place.”
	Q’s the Quarter’s Salary, for which true patriots long;
	R’s for Mrs. Ratsey, who taught me this pretty song;
	S stands for the Speech, which Mummy learns to say;
	T doth stand for Taxes, which the people ought to pay;
	U’s for the Union Work-house, which horrid paupers shun;
	V is for Victoria, “the Bess of forty-one;”
	W stands for War, the “noble game” which Monarchs play;
	X is for the Treble X—Lilly drank three times a day;
	And Y Z’s for the Wise Heads, who admire all I say.