"I do not wish you to sing a song," he must execute that penance, and then return and ask the next person what he or she would not wish to do, and perform it in the same manner.—The person who imposes the penance rarely sends him to all the persons in company, especially if very numerous; but names a certain number.

INTELLECTUAL PENANCES.

THE STATUE.

A STOOL or chair is placed in the middle of the circle, and the person who is to perform the part of the statue stands upon it. Each player then requests him to take any attitude he chooses. One requires him to place his hand upon his heart, another to bend the arm or knee, to look up to the ceiling, to recline the head to the right or left; but all the attitudes should be graceful. When any one wishes to conclude the penance, he says, "I order you to come down." This is

a penance chiefly for ladies.

TO TURN ANY LETTERS GIVEN INTO A COM

PLIMENT TO YOUR MISTRESS.

:

The following is an example :

H. 1. H. W. G. O. G. F. Y.

Happy is he who gains one glance from you.

I. F. Y. C. M. T. D.

I fear your cruelty more than death.

An even number of words, forming one or more couplets of rhymes, is proposed to the person to be fined. The owner of the forfeit must impromptu produce as many verses as words are given. The most uncommon words are selected to increase the difficulty.

IMPROMPTU COUPLET.

This is often awarded to a forfeit, when it is known that the owner can acquit himself with credit. A single couplet is sufficient unless more have been imposed.-As some people do not possess the faculty of versifying, attention should be paid to select couplets adapted to the tone of the society.

COMPARISONS.

Comparisons must present, at the same time, a likeness and a difference. The party who has to make the comparisons may compare himself, or one of the players that is named to him, or that he selects himself. Sometimes the penance requires him to compare a certain number of players, and sometimes the whole company.

A lady may be compared to the Hortensia: the resemblance, says the gentleman, lies in her beauty, and the privilege she possesses of appearing to advantage in every view: the difference lies in the absence of perfume.

A young man may be compared to a branch of myrtle, which preserves its verdure in all seasons as he preserves his sentiments-this is the resemblance; but if thrown into the fire it crackles, whilst he consumes in silence-this is the difference.

EMBLEMS.

Emblems, like comparisons, are either individual or collective. This is a very ingenious amusement. Each in turn proposes an emblem for every one in company; and he forfeits, if he hesitates, repeats himself, or gives an emblem

that appears unsuitable. The following are examples.

A tuberose may be selected as the emblem of a young lady; as, like that flower, she affects the head.

The vine will be an emblem of another; as, like the grape, she pleases to intoxication.

A pin is another emblem; as, like it, she pierces, but attaches.

TO PRODUCE A VENUS.

It is reported that Xeuxis, the famous Grecian painter, assembled the finest women of his time; and, imitating the perfection which each possessed in some particular portion of her person, produced a Venus which deserved the admiration of his own age and of posterity.

This little anecdote doubtless gave rise to the penance in question. The person on whom it is imposed fills the agreeable part of Xeuxis; and, taking those attractions of each lady in company which appear most brilliant, he forms with the whole a perfect Venus.

By way of exercising the ingenuity of the gentlemen, sometimes a moral, and sometimes a physical goddess is required. Thus, for the latter, the gentleman takes only the visible attractions