Is no riddle of the Sphinx, But a matter much more di Is what Heaven thinks of him."
'This is poor stuff, but worse is to follow. It is a notable fact that while innumerable poets have, 90 to speak, "had a shot at'? the Emperor, none of them seem to have found him an inspiring subject. No matter bow high and hopeful their aspirations, invariably they seem to fall into doggerel. The fault may be theirs, or it may reflect a defect inherent in the subject. It will be no surprise should some of them give the Emperor a rest, and try von Following the model mentioned above, the authors give us, among others, the dreadful story of William and the Matches, conveying " simple lesson on the dangers of playing with fire. In defiance of Dame Europa, master Will "Tit a match—it was so nice. But the effect was dreadful "So Will was burnt, with all his His arms and hands and eyes and nose; All perished in a flaming crasb—Except the points of his moustache And nothing else but these was teand Among his ashes on the ground——whorein we suppose the writer wishes us to understand that Willie Jost everything, except his pride, not a great asset in these mercenary days.
Master William's naughtiness and wilful spite and disobedience are exposed and punished in numerous adventures which the poet sings to the best of his poor ability. Before consigning this precious thyme-book to the waste-paper basket, out of consideration for the fame and good name of William—we quote the "Story of William who would not have any Pesce-soup.""
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.