a half to one
_ President _ -- Mr. Woodensconce . _ Vice-Presidents _ -- Mr. Ledbrain and Mr. Timbered . ` MR. SLUG stated to the section the result of some calculations he had made with great difficulty and labour , regarding the state of infant education among the middle classes of London . He found that , within a circle of three miles from the Elephant and Castle , the following were the names and numbers of children 's books principally in circulation : -- ` Jack the Giant-killer 7,943 Ditto and Bean-stalk 8,621 Ditto and Eleven Brothers 2,845 Ditto and Jill 1,998 Total 21,407 ` He found that the proportion of Robinson Crusoes to Philip Quarlls was as four and a half to one ; and that the preponderance of Valentine and Orsons over Goody Two Shoeses was as three and an eighth of the former to half a one of the latter ; a comparison of Seven Champions with Simple Simons gave the same result . The ignorance that prevailed , was lamentable . One child , on being asked whether he would rather be Saint George of England or a respectable tallow-chandler , instantly replied , `` Taint George of Ingling . '' Another , a little boy of eight years old , was found to be firmly impressed with a belief in the existence of dragons , and openly stated that it was his intention when he grew up , to rush forth sword in hand for the deliverance of captive princesses , and the promiscuous slaughter of giants .