First appearing in 1715, Isaac Watts' Divine Songs Attempted in Easy Language for the Use of Children, which has also been published as Divine and Moral Songs for Children, as well as just Divine Songs, was one of the most popular English-language collections of children's poetry and hymns throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. It attempts to educate children on the conduct that Watts, a Congregationalist minister, considered proper to a young Christian. In his preface the author describes the four advantages of using the medium of poetry to teach children, and then he presents twenty-eight hymns and two sonnets, all on moral themes. From giving thanks to God for his creation, to praising the fact that one was born in a Christian country, from warning against fighting and name-calling to cautions about the evils of swearing, many topics are covered by Watts in his slim volume. One of the most enduringly famous of his poems is "Song XX - Against Idleness and Mischief," which begins:

"How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour,
And gather honey all the day
From every opening flower!"

Many readers will perceive, in this poem, the inspiration for Lewis Carroll's parody verse, "How Doth the Little Crocodile," which appears in the Victorian classic, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. British and American children of the 18th and 19th centuries were made to memorize these poems, and they crop up in all sorts of places, in addition to Carroll's work. Song XVII, which warns against fighting amongst siblings, contains the line: "Birds in their little nests agree," which any reader of Louisa May Alcott's American children's classic, Little Women, will immediately recognize as a line spoken by Beth March during an argument between her sisters. These and other connections make Watts' book a fascinating read for those with an interest in children's books. It was an assigned tex, in fact, in one of my masters courses, on early children's literature. I have seen some reviewers comparing it unfavorably to more recent children's titles, and it certainly won't be to the taste of most of today's adults, let alone children. That said, it is an important book, in the history of Anglophone children's literature, and it paved the way for later works. Recommended to those interested in religious Christian children's books, and/or 18th-century English children's literature. ( )

In his Divine Songs, Isaac Watts warns children of their damnation in no uncertain terms. His visions of burning and hell-fire held nothing back. His poems are called “elegies,” and this refers to not just the rhyming format but the subject matter: death and dying and mourning.

Watts obviously wrote his children’s poems to teach children Christian and moral principles (although the Christianity is not quite as charitable as we may expect today). After reading his poetry, I’d have nightmares of damnation if I were a child, which has been pointed out to me, was certainly his intent!

In the end, I’d rather read my son Sandra Boyton’s bedtime poetry.

More detailed review on my blog

No title page - just a liitle book with nice engravings, entitled Divine songs. On page 39 we have song 19, Against swearing and cursing, and taking God's name in vain'. 66 pages in boards.

Watts's legacy was described in a recent Church Times article as mostly pernicious, and I am inclined to agree. Some are amusing, but most are quite horrid, threatening children with damnation for the slightest of childish misdemeanours. If any should show insufficient respect to parental authority, the ravens will peck out his eyes. "One stroke of his almighty rod Shall send young sinners quick to hell". No doubt this oppressive interpretation of Christianity was commonplace in early 19th century Britain, but from today's perspective it is pretty repellent. MB 15-iv-07 ( )

Printed on 'specially prepared' [oil?]cloth.. ( )