A Little Pretty Pocket-book/Letter to Polly

by John Newbery

A

Letter

From

Jack the Giant-killer,

To

Pretty Miss Polly.

Dear Miss Polly,

Your Nurse called upon me Today, and told me that you was a good Girl; that you was dutiful to your Father and Mother, and that, when you have said your Prayers in the Morning and the Evening, you asked their Blessing, and in the Daytime did every Thing they bid you. She says, you are obedient to your Mistress, loving and kind to your Playfellows, and obliging to every Body; that you rise early in the Morning, keep yourself clean, and learn your Book; that when you have done a Fault you confess it, and are sorry for it. And though you are sometimes naughty, she says you are very honest and good-humoured; that you do not tell Lies, nor say indecent Words and are always thankful when any Body gives you good Advice; that you never quarrel, nor do wicked Things, as some other Girls do.

This Character, my Dear, has made every Body love you; and, while you continue so good, you may depend on my obliging you with every Thing I can. I have here sent you a Little Pretty Pocket-Book, which will teach you to play at all those innocent Games that good Boys and Girls divert themselves with: And, while you behave so well, you shall never want Play, I assure you. But my dear Polly, in order that you may be as good as possible, I have also sent you a Pincushion; the one Side of which is Red, the other Black, and with it ten Pins; and I must insist upon making this Bargain, that your Nurse may hang up the Pincushion by the String to it, and for every good Action you do, a Pin shall be stuck on the Red Side, and for every bad Action a Pin shall be stuck on the Black Side. And when by doing good and pretty Things you have got all the ten Pins on the Red Side, then I will send you a Penny, and so I will as often as all the Pins shall be fairly got on that Side. But if ever the Pins be all found on the Black Side of the Pincushion, then I will send a Rod, and you shall be whipt, as often as they are found there. But this my Dear, I hope you will prevent by continuing a good Girl, that every Body may still love you, as well as

Your Friend,

Jack the Giant-Killer.

P. S. When you are tired with playing, I have added, for your further Amusement, a Collection of pretty Songs, which your Nurse will take Care to teach you; and I must insist on your getting them perfectly, because the Knowledge of these Songs will recommend you to the Favour of all the Gentlemen and Ladies of America who sing in that Manner.