The infant moralist

Chapter 22: OFFENSIVE MANNERS

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About This Book

A collection of short didactic poems for young readers that depict everyday domestic scenes to illustrate moral lessons. Each verse presents a simple incident—such as animal cruelty, heedless mischief, greed, envy, profanity, or neglect of the elderly—and traces its immediate consequences, often ending with parental correction or reflection. The pieces use plain rhyme and narrative vignettes to teach virtues like charity, politeness, courage, and prudence, emphasizing cause and effect in familiar, child-centered settings.

OFFENSIVE MANNERS

How nicely little Cecil sits

And eats his Cake in careful Bits,

A Warning, John, to you

Whose Mouth is filled with Beef and Egg,

The Remnants of a Turkey’s Leg,

And half a Dumpling too.

It really makes me feel quite hurt

To see the Way that you insert

Your Fingers in the Dish;

Such Mouthfuls too have ceased to be

Since Prophet Jonah marv’llously

Was swallowed by the Fish.

Pray from the Joint remove your Fist,

And do not stubbornly persist

Good Manners to offend.

Some Day you’ll choke upon a Slice,

Or suffocate from too much Rice

And that will be your End.