164 HOME AMUSEMENTS.

THE CAT AND THE MOUSE.

Ler all the company join hand in hand in a circle,
except one who is placed inside, called the mouse, and
another outside, called the cat. They begin by run-
ning round, raising the arms; the cat springs in at one
side and the mouse jumps out at the other; they
then suddenly lower the arms ‘so that the cat cannot
escape. The cat goes round mewing, trying to get out;
and as the circle must keep dancing round all the time,
she must try and find a weak place to break through.
As soon as she gets out she chases the mouse, who tries
to save herself by getting within the circle again. For
this purpose they raise their arms. If she gets in with-
out being followed by the cat, the cat must pay a forfeit,
and try again; but if the mouse is caught she must pay
a forfeit. Then they name who shall succeed them:
they fall into the circle, and the game goes on as before.

 

SNAP DRAGON,

Havine placed some raisins in a dish, pour some
brandy or spirits of wine over the fruit, and then set it
on fire, having first extinguished the other lights in the
room. ‘Those present are to pluck the lighted raisins