David Rands has kindly shared with readers of the Victorian Web his site about the life and works of W. B. Rands, the prolific writer of children's literature and originator of The Boy's Own Paper. Readers may wish to consult this site for more information about this little-known figure who had an immense influence upon Victorian children. [GPL]

Twenty whales
Lashing their tails;
Twenty guns
Fired at once;
Twenty cats
Howling in flats;
Twenty parrots
Calling carrots.
Twenty apiece,
Besides, of these, —
Lions roaring,
Giants snoring,
Waggons rolling,
Bells tolling.
These together,
In stormy weather,
With a steam hammer,
Would make a clamour.


Last modified 21 August 2005