The Peacock "At Home," by a Lady. To which is added the Butterfly s Ball; an original poem by Mr Roscoe Dorset, Catherine Ann and William Roscoe

16mo, original stiff gray printed wrappers. 24 pp., 8 hand-colored wood engravings on four leaves, 1 ad. inside back cover. A nursery poem inspired by The Butterfly s Ball, Catherine Ann Dorset wrote the rollicking Peacock at Home as a sequel, adding annotations about the natural history of all the animals mentioned. Included also is The Butterfly s Ball, said to have been written by William Roscoe for the use of his children; became a popular chapbook and later set to music for the Princess Mary. The Peacock took great exception to the lowly insects Butterfly Ball celebration, indignantly asking " Shall we, like domestic, inelegant Fowls, As unpolished as Geese, and as stupid as Owls, Sit tamely at home, hum drum with our Spouses, While Crickets and Butterflies open their houses?" So, invitations were sent out by carrier pigeon, though not all could attend. "The Turkey, poor soul! was confined to the rip: For all her young Brood had just fail d with the pip." In the annotated notes starting on page 11, the Rip terminology is explained: "A machine used in poultry-yards, under which it is usual to confine the mother-bird with the young brood, till it has acquired strength to follow her. The word is derived from the Saxon Hrip, meaning a covering, or protection, for the young." 19 annotations describe the natural history of the exotic birds mentioned in the Lady s poem. Inside the back wrapper cover is an ad for Harris s Cabinet of Amusement and Instruction, listing 52 publications. CONDITION: Near good, rubbing at extremities, 1/4" loss at top of spine, 1 1/2" separation at top of bound front gutter, detached front flyleaf, round sticker with 968.3 written in ink, 1" ink stain on top left-center of front wrapper, light foxing and browning throughout.