GAME OF HISTORICAL ILLUSTRATIONS. ILLA. knowledge of history is required either-the simplest I do not know whether this game is familiar to most-on-the-surface incidents being perfectly suited the readers of the "Family Friend;" I met with it to, and sometimes the best for, this pastime. some time since at the house of a friend, and found it so pleasant that I have determined to describe it, in the hope that it may be new to some, and may therefore be a contribution to the amusements of Christmas. It consists in each member of the company, being duly furnished with small pieces of paper (four inches by three is a nice size), and pencils, fixing on some historical incident, and to the best of his or her ability producing it on the paper. The pictures are then submitted to the company, who are to guess the subject delineated, and to write their decisions on a slip of paper, turning down the paper, after adding their names, in the manner pursued in "bouts-rimes." There is great amusement in these guesses often; and as the sketches may be of the roughest kind, no one need plead inability. I am no adept at drawing myself, having abjured such occupations as soon as I was my own mistress, except in one small line, and yet I can quite manage an illustration. No profound CHRISTMAS IS COMING. O CHRISTMAS, dear Christmas, is coming! Yes! Christmas, gay Christmas, is coming! At Christmas the message of gladness And O, then, now Christmas is coming, ISABEL. FAMILY PASTIME. DEFINITIONS. CHANCE. The haps and mishaps of coincidence to a worldly man.-IMOGINE. That on which many stake their fortune and happiness; some succeed in their speculations, some just the reverse; for, like a weathercock, ever variable and changeful, it is not to be relied on for a second.-WINIFRED. The lightning of circumstance, apparently fortuitous, yet really guided by unerring law. ILLA. The blind half-brother of Fault, often mistaken The presiding genius of card-playing, fortune- for him, and unjustly punished in consequence. telling, and marriage.-FLORIAN. CALLER HERRIN'. GORGONIA. The infidel's first cause and last resource. Kissing your sister instead of your cousin. ILLA FLORIAN. Asking a cripple to join in a waltz; The benighted traveller following a will-o'-thewisp, believing it to be a light from some friendly homestead.-Judgment walking blindfold. EMMA BUTTERWORTE. Greeting an utter stranger with a hearty slap on the back, supposing him to be your oldest friend.Passing by the modest violet to gather the gaudy tulip.-Kate Leslie. What is often made through carelessness or thoughtlessness, but is very hard, and sometimes impossible to rectify.-LEONA. A convenient excuse for carelessness. BLACK DWARF. Doing the wrong thing in the wrong place at the The god of the infidel, the impossibility of the wrong time.-MIGNONETTE. Christian.-BLACK DWARF. The unsteady chain that links event to event.Life's lottery-box.-MIGNONETTE. A veiled fairy, whom some cannot recognise. GIPSY. The number drawn from the lottery-bag.-The vessel's safe arrival in the harbour.-J.J. GORTON. Catching a weazel asleep.-Finding a policeman when you want him.-HOTSPUR. The child of fortune.-ZINGARA. A word (so says a learned divine) that is not in the Christian's dictionary; for how can events happen by chance when an all-wise Providence ruleth over all things?-EMMA S. P. Impiety's mythical deity, supposed to govern events without volition, and to work wonders without design.-CARACTACUS. GIPST. A bitter fruit, which grows in Byepath Meadow. Buying a pig in a poke. In money matters you must prevent, Otherwise to gaol you're quickly sent; 'Tis then your friends for you relent, And as for yourself, why, you repent JUSTITIA. The simple genius who unwittingly makes breaches in the dykes of order, admitting the waters of confusion.-CARACTACUS. What father, mother, sister, friend, and brother, Nay, all mankind, make some one way or other. LAGO. Straying from the highways into the byways of life.-HEATHERBELL. That which man commits in depending upon another.-J. J. GORTON. Sending your carte to the Editor to forward, and getting neither carte nor answer.-FLORIAN. Putting off till to-morrow what may be done to-day.-C. T. RYE. Letting Time's forelock slip through our fingers. -Putting off till to-morrow what can be done to-day. What is frequently met with at a railway station.-EMMA BUTTERWORTH. That which causes many a hare to lose the race. KATE LESLIE. The postponement of a thing wished for. CHARLIE F. Anything we wish for very much postponed. LEONA. A little hinge, on which oft turn the wheels of disappointment and regret.-CALLFR Herrin'. A receptacle in which things are put for a time, and often lost altogether.-GORGONIA. A dangerous omission, by which many have corne to ruin.-SPECTATOR. The evil habit of procrastination. BLACK DWARF. The train whose tardy speed is ever dangerous. MIGNONETTE. The chisel which wears away patience.-GIPSY. A fine adjustment in the scales between convenience and inconvenience; on the one hand, answering the purpose for a time; on the other, proving ruinous in the extreme.-JUSTITIA. Procrastination's twin sister.-J. J. GORTON. That which frequently causes direful results.Being kept blocked up in a cab in a crowded thoroughfare when your time is important. HOTSPUR. The most dangerous kind of lay that there is. ZINGARA. What we should never do, either in temporal or spiritual things.-EMMA S. P. The angel whose wings are weary.-ZANONI. The good that may be done to-day? ANNA GREY. Procrastination, which is the thief of time. STANTONVILLE. of Progress.-CARACTAOUS. The "Red-tape" knight who "cross"-es the will That which caused the five foolish virgins to be shut out from the marriage feast.-IAGO. The rust that retards the needle of industry. HEATHERBELL. FLOBIAN Nothing can happen to us by chance, or by mistake of that Great Being who sometimes will delay our happiness because we have not sufficient grace to be entrusted with it.-LEONA. When delay is the check-rein, and chance the untrustworthy steed we trust to, no wonder if we are landed in that quagmire of doubt-a mistake. ZANONI. Had I but got the chance to make If a mistake is made, it should be rectified without delay, as otherwise, in many cases there is a chance of its evil results being irremediable. BLACK DWARF. A FEW CONS FOR CHRISTMAS. 1. Why is the fifth milestone between Ross and Monmouth like the letter A ?-Because it is midway. 2. What plant used in dyeing indicates the comparative degree of "crazy?"-Madder. 3. Why is the sap of a tree like the mercury in a thermometer?-It sinks in winter. 4. If my daughter Catherine were filling up the schedule for the census, what active verb might I Run-a-gate.-182. Sparrow-hawk.-183. Philipuse to remind her to include Judy, the baby ?-pine.-184. Ear-wig.-185. Mar-ma-duke.-186. Adjudicate (Add Judy, Kate). 5. When is a river like a fabid dog?-When it foams at the mouth. 6. Why would a certain noble quadruped, in a mill, be equal to a great multitude?-'I would be a mil-lion. 7. What letter, placed at the head of a ship, would represent military courage?-The letter S (prow-ess). 8. Why is the skeleton of a sermon a very unnatural object?-It has several heads. 9. Into what animals do servants metamorphose cats-Into scapegoats. 10. Why is an unbecoming action like the letter G-It is in-elegant. 11. What is the difference between a policeman and a tradesman ?-The first has his head above his number, the other his number above his head. 12. When does a tailor make the worst of all "cuts?"-When he "cuts" anold friend. 18. Why are Mandarins like old apple-trees?Their low bows (boughs) occupy more room than they are worth. 14. What is the most wonderful part of a fish? The fin, because it is in-finite. 15. Why am I, in walking towards a fire-place in my own house, like certain birds in the autumn? -I am going to my grate (migrate). 16. Why are none but ill-bred ladies fitted to be called "ducks?"-Because ducks waddle, and are by no means nice in their diet. 17. What is the difference between a Mormonite book-keeper and some celebrated racing-stakes ?The one is the St. Leger, and the other a ledger "saint." 18. Why is a man, when about to accost a lady, like a man going to a certain crockery stand?-He is going to address her (a dresser). Her-ring.-187. Curry-comb.-188. Katrine.-189. 19. When do you see what is invisible?-When? you see how you feel. 20. Why cannot a man be comfortable or preBent a good appearance when well-dressed?--Because he is in a fit. 10. 21. In what sty ought a monarch to feel "at home?"-In his majesty. 22. What tables may be very easily swallowed?-26. The sago (say go); 27. The cabbage (cab age); 28. The peach; 29. The aspen (asspen); 30. The Vege-tables. 23. What vice is generally indulged in, even by it is pop(u)lar.-207. Waste not, want not; a friend arbutus (are but us); 31 Yew (you); 32. Because the most scrupulous?-Ad-vice. 24. What dress conveys the best impression!-in need is a friend indeed.—208, 1. Knitting her brows; 2. Because he could then not only make a Ad-dress. 25. What dress is most acceptable to an "injured table speak, but make a tart answer; 3. Because individual?"-Re-dress. CARACTACUs. ANSWERS TO ENIGMAS., &c. (On pp. 455-460.) nobody likes to be caught tripping; 4.Because, being completely worn out she has been soled (sold) by England, and well hammered and welted by the Germans; 5. Because he is scouring the plain; 6. Because it all goes in rents and pieces; 7. Because, though he starts with a wheelbarrow in the morn160. Different kinds of net; net, the material; ing, he is sure to get a little hoarse (horse) before hair-net; net for vegetables; net for fruit trees; night; 8. Because she rules the waves, and Russia net of the spider covered with dew; fishing net; only the (serf) surf; 9. Belfast (belle fast); 10. Bepoacher's net. 161. A Glove. -162. Man-u- cause they are compelled to keep their watches; (yew)-mission.-163. Honey-moon.-164. Care-less. 12. When he runs for a plate-209. The heads of -165. Day-light.-166. Car-rot.-167. Wise-acre. the houses of York and Lancaster plucking their -168. Ward-robe.-169. Pen-man-ship.-170. Ten, emblem flowers in the Earl's garden.-210. Insoen.-171. Watch-word.-172. Glow-worm.-173. lent behaviour of the Earl of Essex to Queen ElizaAlpha-bet.-174. Mole-hill.-175. Rib-and.-176. beth at a privy council held to appoint a LordWest-on-super-mare.-177. Bead-le.-178. Dew. deputy of Ireland.-211. Sir Walter Raleigh, whe drop.-179. Un-i-form.-180, Imp-ass able.-181. I first introduced tobacco into England. CLASS AWARDS. And in saying farewell, let me ask my fellowlabourers, with whom may I still have the pleasure of exchanging cartes? There are vacant places, 'only waiting,' and I would fain gather some more ADDRESS: 23, MIDDLE STREET, CLOTH FAIR, of my friends under the command of our good WEST SMITHFIELD, E.C. FIRST CLASS. DAISY H. writes in so good a spirit that we are induced to give insertion to the rather long but very appropriate letter: "MY DEAR FELLOW COUNCILLORS : President. Will not the fair Estella deign to shine on me, even as her bright namesakes of heaven beam upon the flowers of earth? And our gifted brother Ruthenpharl? Must I hide my diminished head' behind my handkerchiefcomplaining, like the Councillor of old, I am so very shy,' that I haven't the 'face' to ask? or shall I hang up my stocking (of pale blue!) and trust and brederen' to make an 'exchange' which is 'no Santa Claus will incline the hearts of my 'sisteren robbery ?' "Pity the wishes of an F.F.C., Whose trembling hopes have borne her to your door; Who would no longer empty pages see, "Your affectionate sister in the Council, "DAISY H." LUCINDA sends poems and apologies in a graceful letter, which we will answer by post. "Unaccustomed as I am to public speaking,' perhaps our kind President will give me leave, in consideration of the coming jovial season, to say a few words. Imagine yourselves seated in a semicircle round (!) the Council-room, and upon the door opening your eyes being greeted by the sight of an individual who approaches with a movement something between the graceful gliding of a swan So, having some, she gently asks for more. and Lord Dundweawy-wun' being not quite so Dear President and Councillors! I feel conscious 'sublime' as the one, and not quite so 'widiculous' of not having always done what I could for our as the other; and making a profound curtsey to the little Friend during the past year; but as it is assemblage in general, and to the Editor in par- never too late to mend,' I fully intend to reform, ticular, announces herself as-your's truly. Having and it shall not be from want of trying if I do made my acknowledgments to the President, not keep my place in the Classes; and I trust that whose past favours (even the smallest) have been we shall, individually and collectively, give 'a long thankfully received, I proceed to propitiate that pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether,' and send stern judge, under whose critical criticisms our little craft off with full canvas, and under all the shortcomings that belong to us are brought. flying colours; and that we may in future have Caractacus and his 'little men' have been a the comfort of receiving it without a chance' source of im-mense entertainment to me; and I of 'mistake' or 'delay. In conclusion, I would trust, though he has only devoted a small space to offer to all my dear friends in the Council 'the the ladies, he may not through any mismanage- compliments of the season,' for though mon prement become a misanthrope, or else the mistle-mier vient trop rarement; mon second va trop toe will have no charms for him this merry vite; je vous souhaite mon tout; and beg to be Christmas time; and thus, losing his opportunity remembered as, to kiss Miss, he may leave some fair one to pine after a missed kiss. The Definitions have not been a success this month-evidently. I have looked, vainly, alas! for those names that so often cast an additional charm over the pages Lucinda, Max, Gipsy, Florian (who likes always to ills that flesh is heir to" have prevented our writMAGGIE SYMINGTON.-Pre-occupation and "the live and die alone'), Ruthenpharl, Maggie-ing. We will. Maggie sends loving greeting to all where are they? And echo answers-Away! I friends. She also accepts Caractacus's conditions; presume they did 'object' to the tendency' of on receipt of his carte, she will forward him one. the definitions for this month; but I trust they will a'tone' for their absence by giving us something extraordinary next. If my fair sisters Lizzie, Anna Gray, and Forget-me-not, will take a word from one of themselves,' I should advise them to be quite sure another time that they number the words in their Charades correctly. Now, my dear friends, allow me to say one word in my own defence, concerning a little paper which made its appearance last month. The printer's mistake in putting 'recipients' for recreants' may be owing to my own carelessness. (In future, dear Mr. Editor, I will put my mark a little plainer.) But I was horrified to see my poor favourite Longfellow in such a prosaie dress, which certainly did not add to his beauty, or say much for my knowledge of him; but as misfortunes will happen in the best regulated families, so, I suppose, our finest poets are liable to be misunderstood sometimes. Now, Caractacus, you are down upon me, know, for indulging in the too liberal use of great 1; but you must not be too hard upon a poor Daisy-just stay the patent-leather magisterial boot'ere it crushes my bowed head into the dust. STONEY. "The Fairy Mirror" arrived too late for insertion. Thanks and welcome. ZANONI.-Why, dear friend, do you persist in writing so carelessly on such poor paper? The Poems are published for the author. Try ruled paper in future, and avoid blots and erasures by copying your communications. What is worth doing at all is worth doing well. We would not waste ink and time in giving you advice were we not certain it would be taken in good part. GORGONIA is thanked and welcomed. EMMA S. P.-We are happy to hear that you have made a great friend of a dear friend of our own, whom we can by no means spare from the Council. Your proposal is kind, and will be taken into consideration. Decalcomanie has already been described. CARACTACUS.-We have read your criticisms and agree with them; but at this merry Christmas season we put them aside in favour of merrier reading. For other contributions, thanks. |