THE OBJECT GAME.
The party first divides itself into two equal parts. One person from each side is chosen to go out of the room, and, after consulting together, they fix upon any object they like for the rest to guess. The company then seat themselves in two distinct circles, sufficiently apart to prevent the remarks made in one circle from being overheard by those in the other. The two representatives are now summoned, and requested to take their places, one in each group, when a race begins as to which group shall first find out what object of thought has been fixed upon. The rule is that the number of questions asked should be limited to twenty, though in many cases it is impossible to adhere to this restriction; while, on the other hand, the object is frequently guessed before the whole twenty questions have been asked. No restriction is placed upon the objects to be thought of—a drop of water, a ray of light, a crab's claw, a nail in the boot of some great man, or anything else may be chosen. The object of the game is, of course, to make the guessing as difficult as possible, so that the struggle as to who shall be the winners may be a hard one.
THE OLD SOLDIER.
The game of Old Soldier, though unmistakably an old one, is always welcome, especially to the little people. One of the company stands up and personifies for the time the character of an old soldier, who is destitute, ragged, and hungry. He goes round the room asking each one in turn for relief, the rule being that in the answers given to him the words "Yes," "No," "Black," or "White" must not be mentioned, neither must any hesitation be allowed. Want of promptness in a reply must be atoned for by the payment of a forfeit, just as much as would the mention of one of the forbidden words.
ORANGES AND LEMONS.
Two of the company, one supposed to be an Englishman and the other a Frenchman, stand face to face, holding each other's hands so as to form a kind of bridge for the rest to pass under one by one. As the company pass under the bridge, the couple holding hands sing the following well-known rhyme:—
"Oranges and Lemons,
Say the bells of St. Clement's.
You owe me five farthings,
Say the bells of St. Martin's.