RICHARD MANSFIELD, THE PRINCE OF DONKEYS

by Mary Ellen Chase ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 22, 1964

Two elderly sisters of immense rectitude and small fortune paid lawyer Chase for his services by giving him their 12-year-old donkey, Richard Mansfield. Their accompanying note, a small study in Victorian politesse, said, ""He does have his curious ways --who, indeed has not? -- but all in all, he is as delightful as he is original."" Richard did prove to be a delightful addition to the rural Maine household which included the author and five other children, as well as any number of animals. Richard's originality involved a sort of collapsible docility-- he would, without warning, lay down in the middle of the road to rest for an hour or two until the Chase children discovered his passion for carrots. He lived a pampered life (which included his own Christmas stocking) and died in peaceful old age. This is a pleasant jog down memory lane. The flavor of another slower time is well captured for younger members of this age group. Paul Kennedy's pen and ink sketches are gently amusing. Altogether, Richard Mansfield makes a more appealing figure than the author's previous seminiscence, Victoria, Pig in a Pram, (1963, p. 926, J-272.).

Pub Date: April 22, 1964

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Norton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1964

Categories: NONFICTION