Mrs. Blue Dickey-bird, who went out a-walking
with her six chickey birds: she carried a parasol and wore a bonnet
of green silk.
The first little chickey bird had daisies growing out of his head,
and wore boots because of the dirt.
The second little chickey bird wore a hat, for fear it should rain.
The third little chickey bird carried a jug of water.
The fourth little chickey bird carried a muff, to keep her wings
warm.
The fifth little chickey bird was round as a ball.
And the sixth little chickey bird walked on his head, to save his
feet.
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These three illustrations for the well-known
rhyme "The Owl and the Pussy Cat" by Lear have not been published
before.
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One evening after dinner when on a visit
to Lady Waldegrave and Lord Carlingford at Chewton Priory, Lear
drew the above parrot, a species of bird with which he was well
acquainted, having illustrated the bird section of Lord Derby's
"Knowsley Menagerie." After he had finished
it Ward Brahan, Lady Walaegrave's brother drew the caricature of
bird and artist, reproduced on page 57, which amused Lear greatly.
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A caricature by Ward Braham, Lady Waldegrave's
brother, of Edward Lear singing.
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Edward Lear's companion for years, and
of which he made many ridiculous
pictures.
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[Ger-woman loq.Oh! I have my baby in the water dropped! and I
think that it drowned will be.
Ger-man loq.That is natural: it is here so
deep!!
Little-paper moral and proverbial nonsense illustrate on]
Mr. Lear had a dislike of Germans, but it was accentuated by the
hotel which dominated and eventually ruined his beautiful Villa
Emily at San Remo, having been built and run by that race.
The above was probably drawn and sent off
to his friend Fortescue at a moment when this fact was strong in
his mind.
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