PROVERBS.
The company select some one to leave the room; those remaining agree upon a proverb, such as “All is not gold that glitters,” and then send for the person to return to the room. She must ask questions of the company in turn. The first person asked must include in his answer the first word of the proverb, “all,” the next person, “is,” and so on till they complete the proverb; if she has not guessed it, and there are more in the company, the next person begins the proverb anew. The one by whose answer the proverb is guessed must then leave the room. This game requires considerable ingenuity and readiness. The proverbs selected should be familiar ones, such as “Make hay while the sun shines,” “When poverty comes in at the door love flies out at the window,” “A fool is wise in his own conceit,” “A stitch in time saves nine,” “Never look a gift horse in the mouth,” “All’s well that ends well,” “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
GAME OF CHARACTERS.
A person chosen leaves the room. Those remaining select some familiar character either in history or of the present day, for the absent one to personate. When he returns, the person nearest him addresses him by a question, as if he were the character selected. In like manner, each person in the company in turn asks a question. The one at whose questions he guesses the character must take his place and leave the room in turn. For instance, “Napoleon the present emperor of France” is selected. When the person returns, the first questioner exclaims, “Are you not in constant fear of being killed?” The next, “Are you really happy?” The third, “Why are you so despotic?” The fourth, “Do you believe in fatalism?” Fifth, “Do you worship the memory of your uncle?” “Why do you not like us Americans?” etc., etc. This play is often very amusing and tact is required to ask questions that apply to the character and are not too plain.
LAWYER.
All who take part in the play assemble and choose a lawyer. The chairs in the room are arranged in two rows, as in a contra dance. If there are an equal number of gentlemen and ladies, the former choose their partners. The gentlemen take seats opposite the ladies. The lawyer proceeds to ask such questions as he chooses. The person addressed must never answer, but his partner must answer for him. If either make a mistake, he or she must change places with the lawyer, and ask the questions. If the lawyer is ready in asking questions, turning quickly from one person to another, he can very soon catch some one.