Puppy Dog Tails

It has been quite a while since I shared some vintage postcards with you.  Today’s offering is a group of cards showcasing children and their beloved family dogs.

These cards were printed by varied publishers and

those that bear postmarks are dated 1911 or 1912.

The title of the post “Puppy Dog Tails” was inspired by the nursery rhyme “What Are Little Boys Made Of”.

As the related girls poem states,

little girls are made of sugar and spice.

The postcards are photographed against a backdrop

of some of the frilly doll dresses

that just arrived in my doll boutique.

I thought these dresses with ribbons and lace

represented the “sugar and spice” of little girls.

Did you know that these nursery rhyme verses 

are actually part of a much longer poem? 

The poem “What Folks Are Made of” is attributed to Robert Southey, 

an English poet and historian, who became poet laureate in 1813.  Although the entire rhyme cannot be absolutely verified

as being by Southey

 it is generally thought to be by him, circa 1820.

Although I don't understand the meaning behind all of the verses

 (why are nurses made of bushes and thorns and old cow horns?),

I thought you might enjoy reading the entire poem.

What Folks Are Made Of 

Attributed to Robert Southey, About 1820

Authorship cannot be absolutely verified 

                                                                                  

        What are little babies made of?

             Diapers and crumbs and sucking their thumbs;

          That's what little babies are made of.

                                                  

          What are little boys made of?

             Snips and snails and puppy-dog tails;

          That's what little boys are made of.                                              

         

          What are little girls made of?

             Sugar and spice and everything nice;

          That's what little girls are made of.

         

          What are young men made of?

             Sighs and leers and crocodile tears;

          That's what young men are made of.

                                            

          What are young women made of?

             Rings and jings and other fine things;                                         

          That's what young women are made of.                                        

         

          What are our sailors made of?

             Pitch and tar, pig-tail and scar;

          That's what our sailors are made of.

         

          What are our soldiers made of?

             Pipeclay and drill, the foeman to kill;

          That's what our soldiers are made of.

         

          What are our nurses made of?

             Bushes and thorns and old cow's horns;

          That's what our nurses are made of.

         

          What are our fathers made of?

             Pipes and smoke and collars choke;

          That's what our fathers are made of.

         

          What are our mothers made of?

             Ribbons and laces and sweet pretty faces;

          That's what our mothers are made of.

         

          What are old men made of?

             Slippers that flop and a bald-headed top;

          That's what old men are made of.

         

          What are old women made of?

             Reels, and jeels, and old spinning wheels;

          That's what old women are made of.

         

          What are all folks made of?

             Fighting a spot and loving a lot,

          That's what all folks are made of.

Until next time, live and love well.

Join me in meeting some great people this week at these events:

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!