Delightful entertainments, with programmes for amusements, containing parlor games; charming tableaux ...

Front matter

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Preface

MONG the various phenomena of the closmg century, few are more remarkable than the vastly increased amount of time and attention which is now given to Recreation. Men work as hard as, possibly harder than, their fathers, but they certainly find ' much more time for play. To a considerable extent it is true that the men have become boys again. Health and Amusement go hand in hand, and each is a strong friend of the other. This very attractive work combines pastime and pleasure with valuable instruction. It teaches practical lessons while it amuses the reader. It is sure to prove a. welcome guest in every home where it is admitted, as it is essentially intended as a book to amuse, to pass quickly away the long nights, to add to the festivity of evening parties, and to be a pleasurable companion on all social gatherings ; for it is to " 2 hoped we are none of us so old or so crusty but that we can still appreciate

"Sport that wrinkled care derides, And laughter, holding both his sides."

As every juvenile merrymaker might tire of games in which smartness of reply was the leading feature, games wherein mirth of a more active kind is the characteristic, have been introduced for their especial benefit. In the part comprising Parlor Games there is such kn extensive variety that both old and young will not be at a loss to find captivating amusements for social gatherings.

New features appear in this work which are found in no other of a similar character. One part includes Palmistry, or how to Read the Hand. A person who understands this 'art can afford great amusement by telling, or assuming to tell, the character, disposition, occupation, etc., from the lines of the hand.

In both Parlor Magic and Chemical Surprises, not only is there a fine opportunity to amuse, but also to teach some of the fundamental truths of science These departments will be found extremely fascinating to young persons who undertake the experiments here described. • Many an eminent man of science has begun his career with, the chemical recreations of boyhood. Indeed, one part of this grand volume is entitled

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Instructive Recreations, as it comprises interesting and amusing experiments that teach the most important principles of science and philosophy. There is no reason why we should not learn while we laugh.

Here, then, will be found instructions for playing Round or Parlor Games of vast variety, Mechanical and Arithmetical Puzzles of wonderful ingenuity, social diversions of divers sorts. Parlor Magic, and that never-failing source of merriment and perplexity comprehensively known as Fireside Fun. In the section on Parlor Magic no trick has been described involving the use of apparatus in any degree elaborate. The same is true of the section comprising Instructive Recreations.

It is easy to combine instruction with pleasure in both Hypnotism and Phrenology Special attention is paid to these subjects. They are always interesting. They exc* the curiosity of everybody. They are among the things that are half shadowec'/t mystery. To perform hypnotism, either the real thing or its counterfeit, is one of t' most laughable of all recreations. It only requires a person with a glib tongue a level head to make it a source of endless merriment.

The same may be said of Phrenology. In this volume the names of all the orgi of the brain are given, together with their location and meaning. Those who 5 interested in the study of this science will here find valuable help.

In addition to all these captivating sources of amusement, a large part of this m(' attractive volume is taken up with intellectual sources of recreation, such as Dramat Descriptive and Humorous Recitations; fun-making Charades, Rebuses, Dialogue' Conundrums and Choice Selections from the World's Best Authors. These are of tT : .^g-^e^test value for any parlor, public school, Sunday school or other entertainment 1' i whictti the boys and girls, in fact all young people, are expected to appear.

Considering the unanimity that now exists among parents and guardians as to the desinbility of encouraging a reasonable pursuit of games and sports, it is singular to observe the comparative scarcity of books which young people might consult for information upon the different topics connected with the vast variety of pastimes in which they commonly indulge. It is to meet the want of a comprehensive guide to sports and pastimes that this work has been prepared.

It is hoped that the present volume will supply the ever-increasing demand for a book of innocent amusement for winter evenings, both at home and at school. The chief object aimed at has not been the production of tragic and blood curdling plays, and sports, but the inculcation and enforcement of some good moral principle, attired in attractive and, perchance, humorous and fantastic garb. Amusement and instruction go hand-in-hand.