Readersvoice.com aims to give a few samples from interesting out of print books. Sometimes you can find books like these in charity stores or opshops. You can find books there that you wouldn’t otherwise hear about. And they’re often quite cheap. 

Here are a few samples from a 1908 annual of a children’s magazine. Chatterbox was an English weekly published in the 1800s and early 1900s. It featured short non-fiction articles, ink illustrations and short stories.

Too Dilatory

Sir Thomas Lawrence, the great portrait painter, was often a very long time over his pictures.

He was once engaged to paint a portrait of Lady Mexborough and her little boy, but year after year slipped by, and still the picture was not sent home.

At last Lord Mexborough told Sir Thomas he would wait no longer, but must have the picture sent to him without further delay.

“I know I have been rather long over it,” said the painter, apologetically. “Lady Mexborough is, however finished, but if the baby could be brought to me for one more sitting, I really will finish the picture.”

“I am afraid that is impossible,” said Lord Mexborough, “for the baby is in the Guards!”

-continued next page

-readersvoice.com