Happy Tommy, The Workhouse Boy

London: W. Symons, Vauxhall and Sold by James Gilbert & B.L. Green, Paternoster Row, 1849. [SIGNED] [CHAPBOOK] [JUVENILE] [RELIGION]. 48mo (3 15/16" x 2 ½"); 16pp; stiff glazed navy wrapper, gilt stamped title decoratively framed on front; all edges gilt; author inscription "Miss Price from the Author" on verso front wrapper; light crease at upper corner through all layers, a few scuffs to wrapper; near fine. Unrecorded. A small religious tract-style chapbook was written as a letter, beginning with "My Dear Children," and signed on the last page with the initials "W.W." This small book is signed by "the Author" on the verso of the front wrapper, and yet no clue has been found to who this might be.

The very sad story of a boy named Tommy, whose father died, and when his ill mother was no longer able to care for him, he was sent to a workhouse. Tommy continued to be cheerful even in his dire circumstances. He soon becomes ill and dies, and his memory becomes an inspiration to those who knew him.