A collection of stories and plays for children.

"A book has appeared, under this title, written by Mr. Weisse ... Select passages from it, as well as from the works of Messrs. Campe and Saleman [i.e., Salzmann], will be introduced in the following performance."--v. 1, p. [7].

The proprietor of the Boston Bookstore in 1789-90 was Benjamin Guild. In 1789 he issued a catalogue listing "Children's friend, being a variety of very interesting and useful stories by M. Berquin."

William Bentley in his diary entry for Sept. 24, 1790, notes: Mr Mycall is now printing the last volumes of the "Children's friend" a valuable work in schools.

Signatures: v. 1: A-U⁶ W⁶ X-2C⁶; v. 2: A-U⁶ W⁶ X-Z⁶ (Z6 verso blank); v. 3: A-U⁶ W⁶ X-Y⁶; v. 4: A-U⁶ W⁶ X-2E⁶ (E4 verso, E5, E6 blank).

Vol 1: 317, [1], iv, [2] p.; v. 2: 287, [1] p.; v. 3: 276 p.; v. 4: 340, [8] p.

With a half-title to each volume.

Two settings of type of gathering 2C of v. 1 noted. The first lists the contents of v. 1 on p. [i]-iv, and has on p. [v] an advertisement for "A general assortment of books & stationary constantly kept for sale, at the Boston Book-store; no. 59, Cornhill, Boston." The second lists the contents of v. 1 and 2 on p. [i]-iv, and has on p. [v] an advertisement for "Printing of all kinds, prepared with care and expedition, on the most reasonable terms, by John Mycall, at his printing-office in Newburyport ..."

Bookseller's advertisement, v. 1, p. [v].

LC copy imperfect: vol. 1 only, which is incomplete. Preliminary pages after t.p. through p. 8, and p. iii-iv at end, wanting.

Welch, D.A. Amer. children's books, 71.2