Tuesday 10 June 2008

SIX LITTLE MICE SAT DOWN TO SPIN....


Just in case you were wondering how all the yarn was spun before the industrial revolution, it was the mice what did it.... as so beautifully depicted by Beatrix Potter.

Six little mice sat down to spin;
Pussy passed by and she peeped in.
What are you doing, my little men?
Weaving coats for gentlemen. 
Shall I come in and cut off your threads?
No, no mistress Pussy, you'd bite off our heads.
Oh, no, I'll not; I'll help you spin,
that may be so, but you don't come in.


This drawing was edited out of the Tailor of Gloucester. I found it in a biography of Beatrix Potter. The three mice, seem to be spinning flax or linen, that's why they have little distaffs.