give clearly the positions of the contending
parties: first, the attack by John Burroughs in
"Real and Sham Natural History," _Atlantic
Monthly_, Vol. XCI, p. 298 (March, 1903), and,
second, the reply to Burroughs by William J.
Long in "The School of Nature Study and Its
Critics," _North American Review_, Vol. CLXXVI,
p. 688 (May, 1903).

386

One of the most popular series for very young
children is that known as the _Peter Rabbit
Books_ after the favorite hero of the early
tales. The author is Beatrix Potter, an
Englishwoman. In plan these little books
resemble the "toy-books" of the eighteenth
century in having a bit of text on the
left-hand page face a picture on the right. The
entire text of "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" is
given, but of course text and pictures are so
completely one that much is lost by separating
them. Children should meet Peter Rabbit before
their school days begin.

THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT

BEATRIX POTTER

Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were
Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter.

They lived with their mother in a sand bank, underneath the root of a
very big fir tree.

"Now, my dears," said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, "you may go into the
fields or down the lane, but don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden. Your
father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor. Now
run along, and don't get into mischief. I am going out."

Then old Mrs. Rabbit took a basket and her umbrella, and went through
the wood to the baker's. She bought a loaf of brown bread and five
currant buns.

Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail, who were good little bunnies, went down
the lane to gather blackberries; but Peter, who was very naughty, ran
straight to Mr. McGregor's garden, and squeezed under the gate.

First he ate some lettuces and some French beans; and then he ate some
radishes; and then, feeling rather sick, he went to look for some
parsley.

But round the end of a cucumber frame, whom should he meet but Mr.
McGregor!

Mr. McGregor was on his hands and knees planting out young cabbages, but
he jumped up and ran after Peter, waving a rake and calling out, "Stop
thief!"

Peter was most dreadfully frightened; he rushed all over the garden, for
he had forgotten the way back to the gate