Young people who write for the “family portfolio” soon become very much interested in it, and find themselves acquiring a ready use of the pen.
HANDWRITING UPON THE WALL.
Cut the word or words to be shown, out of a thick card or pasteboard; place it before a lighted lamp, and the writing will be distinctly seen upon the wall of the room.
GRACES.
This also is an old game, but should be revived, as it is as beneficial as many of the exercises in the gymnasium, and quite as graceful. It is of German origin, and can be played in the open air, or in any hall or long room.
To play the game you need four smooth, round sticks nearly three-quarters of a yard long. The stick at one end should be just large enough to be grasped firmly by the hand, and should be tapered gradually to the end. These sticks, or grace wands, may be prettily painted and wound near the large end, where they are held, with fancy ribbons. The hoops are from ten to twelve inches in diameter, made of some light wood, as bamboo, covered with bright colored silks and wound with silver cord or some tinsel chenille.