In pen & pencil

by
Walter Crane

Preface

ALL Lions have tails: some — like the one here — remarkably long ones. Some Lionels I know have “Legends” instead. The Lionel for which these were made is a great devourer of them, and he also has an appetite for pictures to paint. This book of sketches, the offspring of the odd half hours of winter evenings, was originally intended strictly for home consumption. One thing, however, leads to another, just as the sketches did, following one by one as fancy led, till they filled the book, and this book falling under the eye of Messrs Cassell (through the voluntary offices of a sympathetic and enthusiastic friend) “Legends for Lionel” may become legends for legions of Lionels.

That both Lionels and others may get as much fun out of the book as did its own father — and Lionel’s — is the wish of both, at any rate.

Walter Crane.
Aug: 1887

Jack Frost sends his Herald

without their leaves,

and just as the World is thinking of skating —

comes Thaw;

followed by Fog, in which Lionel begins to look out for Xmas.

He sees dim and cloudy outlines,

across a white expanse, dotted with sugar-plums,

which led him to a little house in a garden of Xmas-Trees.

The door was opened by a stately Turkey,

supported by attendant sausages

and followed by Plum pudding

Mince-pies,

and a regiment of Crackers

and a rain of Bon-bons,

also a Snap-dragon

St. George after him.

but Lionel gets through them all at last, and is invited by Jack Horner

to a seat in the chimney corner,

and a share of the celebrated pie,

and when the pie was opened

it stood and flapped its wings!

A pretty dish to set before two hungry things

King Frost was in his Freezing House:

Nipping toes and noses!

Green Spring was in her sleeping car,