where is this from? Did Hilaire Beloc create a cautionary alphabet?

I shall look out for it. I love the truly quirky. Once had a book of Addams cartoons (he who created the Addams family) - gloriously odd. For example the explorers who find the fountain of youth, glugg down a few mugs full and then find none of them are big or old enough to sail the ship back.

and you’re sure this isn’t a #terrypratchett quote?

my apologies, this was intended as an unserious observation about how similar the vibe was. I suspect Gorey was one of Pratchett’s influences, but I didn’t mean to diminish Gorey’s work in any way, which is fantastic.