but if he pronounces the word, he forfeits,-he must act it. He accordingly rises, and, by signs. or actions, must so clearly express the thing signified, that all the other players understand it.

Thus, supposing the beginner of the game, to pronounce the word log or bog, the person on the right may choose dog or hog as rhyming to it; but if he pronounces the word so chosen, he forfeits he must, in the middle of the circle, act so very like one of these animals, finishing the picture, perhaps, by a bark or a grunt, that all can recognize the portrait. If, in endeavouring to explain, he names the animal or thing, or if he fails to be understood, or if after all he has not chosen a rhyme, a rhyme which is both perfect and has not been previously given, he equally forfeits.

Each player in succession, finding a new rhyme, acts similarly; concluding with the person who first gave the word, and who, when the party is numerous, is often deprived of the rhyme he had reserved for the conclusion, and forfeits. The person next to him on the right, gives the word with which the second round commences; and it proceeds till all have had their turn.

This game is much played in France and Italy; but I have not seen it described anywhere.

MYSTIFICATION.

(Exercising Imitation.)

THERE are many modes of mystifying, which are pleasant enough in society, without insulting the individual who is deceived, and at whose misapprehension the company are amused. These consist in the blunders and deceptions which the imitating party has sufficient tact and skill to pass off as natural to him, or as the truth.

Some persons who are naturally lively and jovial, possess also the talent of counterfeiting various sorts of idioms and strange dialects. There are additional means of leading any unsuspicious lady or gentleman in the company, who has not been told of it, into a series of errors, especially when the rest join and perform their part in mystifying the hapless individual.

A wag will pass himself off for a foreigner, a German, or a Turk, or of any other nation, and thus draw out the person who believes all that is

told him. Another will pretend to be deaf, and force those that address him to hollow in his ear till they are hoarse. He still pretends not to understand perfectly, answers unconnectedly, and by his mistakes draws shouts of laughter from the individual who is the dupe; whilst the company are equally amused at the expense of the mystified party.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, OR THE

WORD INTRODUCED.

(Exercising Inventive Faculties.)

THE Company sit round in a circle. The person who commences the game whispers some word to the party on the right, and each of the others does the same. This word is generally one not commonly used, and, therefore, not easily introduced into a narrative or anecdote : but this will depend upon the age or acquirements of the players.

When every one in the circle has given and received a word, the person who commenced the game by whispering a word to the right hand party, turns and puts a question to the individual on the left.

The latter being obliged to reply and at the same time to bring in the word that was whispered in his ear, commences a discourse in which he endeavours to slide in, as adroitly as possible, the

word he had received; and if either the word introduced by him be discovered, or if the answer be not a reply to the question, it is a forfeit.

With regard to the mode of framing the answer, this game can be made extremely agreeable; and when the players possess tact and refined minds, nothing can be more rational, elegant and amusing.

The object, of course, is to give the answer without affectation or parade, in such a manner as to suit the age, sex, character, disposition, and acquirements of the party who puts the question. In replying to a man of sense and acquirements, the extemporaneous effusion may convey a flattering allusion or an indirect compliment. To a young lady remarkable for nothing but good looks, something courteous may be said upon the influence of natural loveliness; to a middle-aged lady, a short tale of a romantic and pathetic nature; to a person of a lively turn, an anecdote full of puns and jests. A few sarcastic pleasantries also may be admitted, provided always that they are not prompted by any malicious or malevolent feeling.

With regard to the word introduced, in all cases series of terms are disallowed: for instance, if you have to bring in the word rose, you cannot

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