"He has taken as the basis of his work Halliwell's well-known and excellent collection of the 'Nursery rhymes of England;' ... On the other hand, he has added from various sources a number which are familiar to American children"--Preface, p. [vi]. This preface is largely based upon one appearing in the 1872 edition signed by "G.A.R." Includes a genealogical essay on "The Goose or Vergoose family.", p. [xi]-xix. Also includes Mother Goose rhymes set to music by Charles Moulton, p. 162-171. "To John Fleet Eliot, the great-great-grandson of Elizabeth Goose, known wherever the English language is spoken as Mother Goose"--dedication, p. [iv]. In brown diagonally-grained cloth with design of Mother Goose riding aside a gilt moon driving a team of flying geese. This design features both embossing and onlays. Title stamped in black on spine, "Mother Goose's melodies." Endpapers featuring various Mother Goose characters are lithographed in dull red ink on dark blue paper. Plates chromolithographed. Songs with music for various Mother Goose rhymes, p. 162-171. Wood-engraved illustrations for the songs signed, "G.F." (i.e., Gaston Fay). "Notes."--p. [173]-186. Bowdoin College attributes the notes to William Adolphus Wheeler. Cf. NUC pre-1956."