THE NEW MORALITY

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 71, 20 September 1930, Page 25

THE NEW MORALITY

thousands of children throughout the British Isles awakened recently to discover that while they had slept the legendary heroes and villains of their nursery rhymes had been drastically reformed. They were asked without notice to adapt themselves to a new fietionary world peopled by beings who would, not dream of doing anything that is crnel or naughty. And, incidentally, they were asked to, learn all their nursery rhymes over again!

The day mentioned marked the beginning of a vigorous campaign against the time-honoured nursery rhyme. It ■was inaugurated by the National Council for Animals' Welfare to murk the beginning of the Animal Welfare Week, and the organising body was a committee on which Lady Clare Anneslevy served as a member. Prominent authorities on child psychology—once again—have decided that the old nursery rhymes are unsuited to young children, as in almost every ease they make mention, of all manner of unpleasant characters, who act in a very wicked fashion. They are certainly not —according to tho council— the sort of folk to acquaint young children with, for almost every rhyme deals with some form of cruelty. The old rhymes have been scrapped, and replaced by a set of moralised once. The new chapters can scarcely be recognised." . ♦'Torn, Tom," the notorious piper's sou, for instance, stealspigs no longer, but has a new occupation:

Tom, Tom,' the piper ?s son, Takes neighbour's dogs for a daily run. *

REFORMED NURSERY RHYMES

They look so sweet, it is a treat To watch them running down the street. ! Old King Cole now has to behave like a respectable citizen. Even "BoyBlue" ana "Margery Daw" are paragons oil virtue. ".: - Th blackbirds who were formerly baked in a pie—and somehow managed to survive the ordeal—are now actually fed with the pio of which they: formerly formed a part. Perhaps in gratitude for this concession, and feeling no longer hungry, suggests an English writer, the blackbird who bit off the maid's nose will kindly replace the missing portion. The famous trio of blind mice who in the old rhyme were deprived of their tails receive a piece of cheese from the lady who once tormented them: Three blind mice, See how they run: They all run after the farmer's wife, Who cuts them some cheese with a great big knife-, ■ - Did you' ever see such a sight in your life, As three blind mice. Very sedate and proper, no doubt, but not quite so interesting.. Here is another example: Ding, dong bell,. Treat your pussy well, Who'll give her milk? Little Johnny Silk, Who'll brush her coat? Little Tommy Loat. What a lucky boy is that who has a pretty pussy catl