Book, 'Fabulous Histories: The History of the Robins. Designed for the Instructi...
Book, 'Fabulous Histories: The History of the Robins. Designed for the Instruction of Children, Respecting Their Treatment of Animals'
Maker Maker RoleAuthor
Maker Maker RoleIllustrator
About this object
This book entitled ‘Fabulous Histories’ has the subtitle ‘This History of the Robins. Designed for the Instruction of Children, Respecting Their Treatment of Animals.” During the Victorian era, most people believed it was important to be kind and care for animals because they were a gift of God. In New Zealand imported children’s books about animals, and magazine articles copied from overseas newspapers and journals, often used tips on caring for pets as a way of introducing the concept of kindness to young children. (1)
The book was given to Mary Eliza Lush from her cousin Francis Buckland. Tragically, Mary died from scarlet fever 1854 along with her older sister Charlotte Sarah, and her younger brother Alfred. While the death of a child was not unusual during the Victorian era, this does not mean that the loss was not felt greatly by parents and family members. In the Lush family archives, held at Ewelme Cottage, there are a number of mementoes, including many books, which serve as poignant reminders of the family’s tragic loss. Later, this book was passed on to Mary’s sister Margaret Edith Lush, who also died of scarlet fever in 1876.
(1) Nancy Swarbrick, “Creature Comforts: New Zealanders and their pets: an illustrated history’ (Dunedin: Otago University Press, 2013), pp. 107, 118.
For more information about the Lush family and Ewelme Cottage, which is cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, visit our website.
Paper and leather
Measurements15 x 9 x 2cm
Date Made1834
Place Made PublisherN. Hailes
Publication Date1834
Publication PlaceLondon, England
Series TitleJuvenile Books
Credit LineCollection of Ewelme Cottage, Heritage New Zealand Historic Pouhere Taonga
Object Type Object numberXEC.3177
Copyright LicenceAdd Comments
This object is from
Tags
Include tags such as place names, people, dates, events and colours. Use commas to separate multiple tags. e.g. Pablo Picasso, Madrid, red, 1930s.
Share
Disclaimer/Re-use of images:
It is the sole responsibility of the contributing museum to supply accurate information, and to organise copyright clearance (if necessary) for any image that appears on NZ Museums. Before any re-use of images, permission must be obtained from the contributing museum. Please contact the contributing museum if you have concerns about the information or images or would like to find out more about using and ordering an image.
This website is a National Services Te Paerangi initiative
