In article <[log in to unmask]>, on Fri, 19 May 2000 at
20:07:00, Annmarie Zan <URL: mailto:[log in to unmask]> writes
>I am trying to create an exhibit based on the real tales behind common
>nursery rhymes, such as Ring around the Rosie being the black plaque or
>Mary, Mary, Quite contrary being Mary Queens of Scotts.  If anyone knows
>of sources I could use for this exhibit please post them to the list or
>e-mail me at [log in to unmask] Thanks, Annmarie

A good starting point would be "A rhyme and a reason" by Deanna Anderson
<http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/3041/> which gives background
notes on several rhymes and links to other sites.

There are a few more at "Nursery rhymes and their origins"
<http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/2161/nursery.html>

A short essay with some published references is "The history of nursery
rhymes & Mother Goose" / by Vikki Harris.
<http://www.arts.uwaterloo.ca/ENGL/courses/engl208c/esharris.htm

Though I know it is not good netiquette to comment on spelling or typos,
I might perhaps mention in the interests of accuracy that it is "Mary
Queen of Scots", not "Queens of Scotts", and "black plaque" seems to
call for a rather urgent visit to the dental hygienist ... :-)

Regards

Leonard Will

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