commanding caravels, continues course-cleverly, courgeously, conducting cruise. Crew, chiefly Catalonian criminals-corrupt cravenschallenge Captain's competence, chafe, complain clamorously cowardly credulous concerning compass, curiously changed.* Columbus consults chart carefully, critically consults compass. Consternation concerning compass, curiously changed! Constantly contemplates constellations. Cantankerous crew congregate cautiously, call Captain "charlatan!" conspire craftily Columbus's capture. Columbus, chagrined, chapfallen, convenes crew, concealing choler. Calmly courteous, counsels courage, claims consideration, cleverly counterfeits cheerful confidence. "Comrades, cowardice creates calamity!" cries Columbus. Contumacious crew churlishly concede compliance. Caravels continue course. ditions. Columbus controlling con Competent Captain's calculations completely confirmed! Courage crowned! Continental coast clearly conspicuous! Columbus calls clarion-clear, "Cathay. Cathay! Comrades, come contemplate Cathay!" Crew crowds, clamorously crying, "Caramba! Caramba!" Contrite crew cheers Columbus! *NOTE.-Be it explained to any who may not have heard of the circumstance, that John Fiske and others mention that Columbus, having sailed into "the region of no variation," the sailors, and he as well, were dismayed at the action of the compass. PARODIED PROVERBS This is a game for nimble wits, but it is astonishing how nimble very ordinary wits grow in the stimulating society of other wits, when made aware that something is expected of them. Each person is asked in turn to write a new version of an old saw, signing a pseudonym. The papers or cards are then tossed into a basket, from which they are withdrawn by the hostess or leader, who reads them aloud. A vote is then taken by secret ballot as to which parody is the best, and the appreciation of the company then naturally demands the revelation of the incognito. A little company recently evolved the followingall original but the fifth: "Too many girls spoil the ball"-Wallflower. "A rolling gait gathers remorse"-Bacchus. "Worry makes the hair go"-Elijah. "All is not youth that titters"---Old Maid. "A hair in the head is worth two in the brush Old Bachelor. " "One swallow does not make a supper"-Hungry Guest. "Marry for pelf, and divorce at pleasure"-Girl of the Period. THE PARTING OF THE WAYS The players are provided with pencils and sheets of paper, and the leader, after telling the limit of time allowed-usually ten minutes-announces a word which each proceeds to inscribe at the top of his or her paper as a starting-point. Then, in perfect silence, each writes down in a column under this word a series of others suggested by it-that is, the second is to be suggested by the first, and the third by the second, and so on, thus following out a definite train of thought. At the end of the allotted time the papers are handed in to the leader, who reads them aloud, and much merriment is the result, particularly if guesses as to the authorship be requested. That it is possible for two people to start at the word "Boston" and land, the one in "Armenia" and the other in "Russia," may be seen from the subjoined examples: I-Boston 2-Boston "THE WEDDING OF THE OPERAS" In this guessing contest, the introduction of music gives variety. Each player is given a doubled card or booklet, the cover representing a miniature sheet of music. Upon one page is a list of numbered questions, the answers to be written upon the opposite page, suggested by selections from well-known operas and operettas played in turn upon the piano, or other instrument. The following was the program: I. Who were the bride and groom? 2. What was the bride called-from the circumstances of her wedding? At what sort of entertainment did they meet? 4. He went in the character of a minstrel-what was he called? 5. She went as a sort of gypsy-what was she called? 6. What Spanish girl was maid of honour at the wedding? 7. What noted Swiss was best man? What two ladies (friends of Donizetti's) were bridesmaids? 9. What four Germans acted as ushers? IO. What mythological personage presided over the music? II. 12. 13. 14. 15. Who sang at the ceremony? What noted person from Japan was present? What ship did they take for the wedding trip? When on the voyage, who captured them? What virtue did they practise in captivity? 17. What gentleman of dark complexion rescued them? 16. 18. What historical people entertained them in France? 19. In Northern Italy what grand affair did they attend? 20. Who showed them the sights of Venice? And the music gave answer, as follows: 8. Carmen. William Tell. Lucia di Lammermoor and Linda di Chamounix. 9. Lohengrin, Faust, Tannhäuser, Siegfried. |