Old Skates
In a quaint little book called The Pretty Little Pocket Book, published in America at Revolutionary times, is a list of boys' games with dingy pictures showing how the games were played; the names given were chuck-farthing; kite-flying; dancing round May-pole; marbles; hoop and hide; thread the needle; fishing; blindman's buff; shuttlecock; king am I; peg-farthing; knock out and span; hop, skip, and jump; boys and girls come out to play; I sent a letter to my love; cricket; stool-ball; base-ball; trap-ball; swimming; tip-cat; train-banding; fives; leap-frog; bird-nesting; hop-hat; shooting; hop-scotch; squares; riding; rosemary tree. The descriptions of the games are given in rhyme, and to each attached a moral lesson in verse. Some of the verses read thus:—
"CHUCK-FARTHING
"As you value your Pence
At the Hole take your Aim.
Chuck all safely in,
And You'll win the Game.
MORAL.
"Chuck-Farthing like Trade,
Requires great Care.
The more you observe
The better you'll fare."
A few of the games are to-day unknown, or little known; for instance, the game called in the book "Pitch and Hussel."
"Poise your hand fairly,
Pitch plumb your Slat.
Then shake for all Heads
Turn down the Hat."
The game called "All the birds of the air," reads:—