GIRL'S OWN BOOK. BY MRS. CHILD, AUTHOR OF THE MOTHER'S BOOK, FRUGAL HOUSEWIFE, MOTHER'S STORY BOOK, ETC. THE NINTH EDITION, WITH GREAT ADDITIONS. EMBELLISHED WITH 144 WOOD CUTS. LONDON: PRINTED FOR THOMAS TEGG AND SON, 73, CHEAPSIDE; 1837. RB.23. a.31335 "I have no sweetmeats, cakes, or toys, C. WHITTINGHAM, CHISWICK. BOL PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. ADDRESSED TO PARENTS. THIS little book has been compiled with an earnest desire to make it useful, in all respects, to its readers; but as I have relied on my own judgment and experience; there is, therefore, little doubt of numerous imperfections. Perhaps I have erred in trying to please all; and may thus, like the old man in the fable, succeed in pleasing none. Some will say there is too large a proportion of games; others will smile at the directions for sewing and knitting; some may complain that the frequent recommendation of active exercises will tend to make their children rude and disorderly; others will think too much is said about gracefulness and elegance; some will call the conundrums old, others will say they are silly, and others that they should have been entirely excluded. I knew I could not avoid numerous criticisms, and therefore I did not write with the fear of them before my eyes. In this land of precarious fortunes, every girl should learn how to be useful: amid the |