By Tina Fisher Cunningham
Fisher Forde Media
Kindness in 1881 children's book
The Forde Files No. 149
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Tina Fisher Cunningham
"Gilbert sewing a Frill on Dora's Frock."
An 1881 children's book shows that the concepts of diversity, compassion and tolerance are not modern inventions. Forde Files found a water-damaged children's book titled "Chatterbox," edited by British Anglican clergyman Erskine E. Clarke. The book contains stories of kindness and loyalty as well as intriguing items about foreign lands. A poem and illustration called "Gilbert sewing a Frill on Dora's Frock" cries out for understanding toward a boy whose inclinations run counter to the notion of what a boy should do (see poem below). Another illustration shows a Chaffinch who refused to leave its dead mate.
Tina Fisher Cunningham
