The last time is the catching time,

The catching time, the catching time;
The last time is the catching time,

Around about merry ma tansy.

THE DUTCH DOLL.

This is played by a Boy, who, when the company are out of the room, lies at full length under a table, which should be covered with a large cloth, so as to completely conceal him excepting his feet, which are raised sole upwards. One of his companions then dresses the feet with clothes, so as to look something like a large doll. Before the company come in he raises his feet, so that the doll appears to stand upright; as soon as they enter the figure begins to act all sorts of antics, and the effect is exceedingly comic.

THE GAME OF FLOWERS.

One of the players represents the Queen of Flowers. Four others are chosen for Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. The rest of the players call themselves by the names of any flowers they choose. Then they all dance up to the Queen of

Flowers, singing:

O Lady Queen, we bring to you
Flowers of every shining hue;
Buds and blossoms all the sweetest,
And of scent and tint completest;
From wayside hedges, grassy dales,
From fragrant garden bowers,

From woodland walks and quiet vales
We bring to you the flowers.

They all then retire, and the Queen, rising, says :·

Let my children gather here,
For to me they're ever dear;
Whether blue as summer sky-

Yellow like the burning gold-
Sapphire-bright like starry eye—
Or as emerald green and cold,
Let my children gather here,
For to me they're ever dear.

She curtsies, and takes her seat. Spring then advances, and

says:

May I be allowed to bring

A nosegay from your loyal Spring?

The Queen replies :—

I shall be right glad to see

The flowers the Spring can give to me.

Spring now joins hands with the players representing Primrose, Daisy, Violet, and Cowslip, and they dance forward singing:

I'm the pretty Primrose, ever fresh and fair;

I'm the modest Daisy that shines among the grass;
Look among the moss, and you'll find me, Violet, there;
I'm the tall young Cowslip, a bonny looking lass:
We're the flowers-the flowers-of Spring,

And our homage now we bring.

Spring and her flowers then take their places on one side of the Queen, bowing as they do so, and Summer advances :

Will you see each pretty comer

That owns the joyousness of Summer?

The Queen answers :—

I shall be right glad to see

The flowers that Summer gives to me.

Summer next joins hands with the players representing Crowfoot, Rose, Honeysuckle, and Marigold, and they dance forward, singing:

Crowfoot beams all golden over every lea;

Rose is ever welcome, as the fairest ought to be;

In the hedge how sweetly Honeysuckle twines,

While Marigold, with round bright face, in the sunlight

shines:

Oh, happy is each blithe new-comer

To own the joyousness of Summer!

Summer and her maidens then form a line along with Spring and her little troop, bowing as they do so, and Autumn ad

vances:

May Autumn from her purple bowers

Bring a posy of rare flowers?

The Queen replies:

I shall be right glad to see

The posy Autumn offers me.

Autumn dances forward in company with Bluebell, Carnation, Pimpernel, and Eyebright, all singing :—

Bluebell sings a merry chime;

Carnation blushes all her time;

Pimpernel's a star of red;

Eyebright hides a modest head :—
But all in Autumn's posy grow,

And help to make a radiant show.

Autumn and her flowers bow to the Queen, and take their places at her side, opposite to Spring. Winter next comes for.. ward:

No gay flowers have I to give,
None amid my snows will live;
Yet I too will a nosegay make,

If our dear Queen the gift will take.

The Queen bows, and says:

I shall be right glad to see

The posy Winter offers me.

Winter then calls to her side Holly, Ivy, Laurel, and Mistletoe, and all dance forward, singing :

Holly with its berries red,

Laurel for a victor's head,

Ivy with its dark green glow,

And the snowy Mistletoe

These in Winter's nosegay blend,

When the year is at its end.

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