OLD-TIME GAMES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XII, Issue VI, 10 February 1894, Page 138

OLD-TIME GAMES.

MANY OF THE PRESENT DAY SPORTS BORROWED FROM THE PAST. It is curious to note how some of the games of the early age have been banded down to the present time. The game, for instance, known to most of us as ‘ Odd and Even,’ was also a favourite with the young Egyptian, and many of the little counters that he used are still preseived in the British Museum. There is also the game of draughts, which was played on a checkered board in the earliest times. The poor children were content with draughtsmen and boxes made of rough pieces of clay, but the richer ones usually had beautifully carved iron headed draughtsmen and boxes. The young Greeks, too, were well provided with toys and games for their amusement. The toys were chiefly dolls made of baked clay, the arms and legs being jointed with string, and therefore movable. They bad a favouiite game called ‘chytrinda,’ which has been preserved through many ages, and is now played by boys of to-day under the wellknown name of * puss in the corner.’ In France the game is called • quatre coins,’ or four corners. Both in the old game and the modern version five players are required, one occupying each of the four corners, while the fifth player stands in the middle. In ancient Greece he wore an earthen pipkin on his head and was called ‘ Pot’; in France at the present day he is the ‘ Nigaud,’ or simpleton, and by us he is called ‘Puss.’ To guess the number of fingers another held np was also a favourite amusement, and this, too, is frequently played at the present time. So you see how carefully the character of the amusements and the playthings of the very early ages have been maintained in the toys and games in use to-day.— Newcastle Chronicle.