"SHE CAN DO LITTLE WHO CANNOT DO THIS." HE can do Little Who cannot do This," is one of those very old-fashioned and yet amusing games, wherein "brevity is the soul of wit," and which have been handed down to us from Elizabeth's time. The players sit in a circle. The first lady crosses her legs, and just exhibiting the crossed foot shakes it as she says, "She can do little who cannot do thisthis-this-this-this!" The second imitates the action, saying, 'She can do little who cannot do this-this-thisthis-this!" But the first player demands a forfeit, without explaining why. So it goes round the circle, more than half the players paying forfeits, the secret being that the commencing lady had placed her right foot over the left, or vice versa, and those who have to pay forfeits have crossed the reverse foot,—a careful lesson in accuracy of observation, as well as a mirthful amusement. Another way of playing it, is that the first lady crosses her legs, and shaking the obtrusive foot, says as before, "She can do little who cannot do this-this-this-this!" she not desisting as the second lady takes up the cry; but keeping up the motion continuing to say "this-this-this-thisthis!" till the whole circle are in motion, one at a time desisting-finally as they grow wearied. If any gentleman is of the company he, of course, alters the words to "He can do little who cannot do this—this," &c. A third way is to pass a stick round the circle:-hold it in the right hand and knock the floor with it, saying, "He can do little who cannot do this-this-this," and then pass the stick into the left hand, and give it to the next person in "CUPID IS COMING." the circle. The uninitiated think the game consists in knocking the stick and repeating the words, whereas the trick is to pass in precisely the same manner. Every one who transfers it with the wrong hand pays forfeit, and must not be told where the mistake is till the game is completed. It is a useful game to teach young people the advantage of close and correct ob servance. "CUPID IS COMING" S also a very old game. The answers must be alphabetical, and accompanied by suitable action or expression. For instance, the first in the circle says to the next, with great gravity, "Cupid's coming!" The retort is "How is he coming?" And the reply" Angling." The replier must rise and imitate the act of fishing. Then the second in the circle tells the third-" Cupid is coming!" The third-"How is he coming?' The second-" Bowing," and he or she bows. The third" Cupid is coming! The fourth-" How is he coming?' The third Crying." And she puts up her handkerchiet and feigns to cry. "Dancing." And the speaker rises and dances. "Engagingly." And the speaker bridles up and tries to look captivating. "Cupid is coming!" "How is he coming?" "Frowning." And the speaker frowns. "Cupid is coming!" "How is he coming? "Grinning." And the speaker grins. "Cupid is coming!" "How is he coming?" "Haughtily." And the speaker draws up her head coldly. "Cupid is coming!" "How is he coming?" 'Innocently." The speaker looks as innocent as a lamb. "CUPID IS COMING." Modestly." The speaker rises and walks along with mock modest air. "Cupid is coming!" "How is he coming?" "Nautically." The speaker rises and executes a few steps of a hornpipe in a sailor's attitude. "Cupid is coming!" "How is he coming?" "Quizzing." The speaker makes a spy-glass of his fingers. "Cupid is coming!" "How is he coming?" 'Rioting." The speaker rises and imitates a toper with his glass. * "Shouting." Speaker calls out, making a trumpet of his hands" Ahoy, ahoy, there! Ship, the Lost Heart, come to anchor!" or singing in a loud tone, "I wish I was with Nancy," &c. "As Usual." The speaker sighs and looks sentimental. 66 Virtuously." The speaker crosses her hands on her 66 99 Yawning." The speaker suits the action to the word. "Cupid is coming!" "How is he coming?" "Like a Zany." Speaker rises and crosses the room knock-kneed. Of course the words are to be varied according to the fancy of the players. |