Children of the Olden Days - Part 2

So there is something I like more than old tapestries, and that is old books. And sometimes you have to buy old books simply because you've judged them by their covers. Recently I found an old children’s book by Louisa May Alcott, called Under the Lilacs, which I had to buy because it looked like this:

And inside were pictures like this:

Purple poodles, a donkey and peacocks. To further rouse my interest in the instruction of children once upon a time, I flicked open the book and, there, as part of the story, I came upon this poem, supposedly written by a child called Miss Celia:

MY KINGDOM

A little kingdom I possess,

Where thoughts and feelings dwell;

And very hard I find the task

Of governing it well.

For passion tempts and troubles me,

A wayward will misleads,

And selfishness its shadow casts

On all my words and deeds.

How can I learn to rule myself,

To be the child I should,-

Honest and brave,-nor ever tire

Of trying to be good?

How can I keep a sunny soul

To shine along life’s way?

How can I tune my little heart

To sweetly sing all day?

Dear Father, help me with the love

That casteth out my fear!

Teach me to lean on thee, and feel

That thou are very near;

That no temptation is unseen,

No childish grief too small,

Since Thou, with patience infinite,

Doth soothe and comfort all.

I do not ask for any crown,

But that which all may win;

Nor seek to conquer any world

Except the one within.

Be Thou my guide until I find,

Led by a tender hand,

Thy happy kingdom in myself,

And dare to take command.

I know that Little Women was a big hit, but I wonder how children responded to this book.