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Canon Rawnsley of Keswick was an energetic and engaging man who wrote books about his beloved home-town in the Lake District. He hated to see the beautiful countryside around him being spoiled in any way, and so he campaigned for the formation of what we now know as The National Trust. After much hard work he won his fight, and now many places of natural beauty have been preserved for us all to share. One day, a shy little lady called to see him. She knew that he had written books and she needed advice and lots of encouragement about the publication of a story she had written, and very attractively illustrated herself. When she showed the work to Canon Rawnsley he found himself looking at four little rabbits named Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter! Years later the gardeners at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew noticed a quiet and very industrious young artist deeply engrossed in sketching and painting many of the beautiful plants and flowers. Her pictures were later exhibited at Abbots Hall Museum and Art Gallery in Kendal. But it was another art subject that made Beatrix Potter world famous – the portraying of her beloved rabbits and other little animals to illustrate her own children’s stories. Her delightfully illustrated tales became famous the world over. Dedication and talent plus sound advice and encouragement, gave Beatrix Potter all she needed to be able to give generations of children “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” and other well-loved stories. Interestingly, the name Beatrix, in Latin, simply means “She who blesses.” |
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