CHILDREN'S GAMES.

[From an old engraving by Van der Venne.]

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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1883, by

HARPER & BROTHERS,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

All rights reserved.

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EDITOR'S NOTE.

The existence of any children's tradition in America, maintained independentlyof print, has hitherto been scarcely noticed. Yet it appearsthat, in this minor but curious branch of folk-lore, the vein in the UnitedStates is both richer and purer than that so far worked in Great Britain.These games supply material for the elucidation of a subject hithertoobscure: they exhibit the true relation of ancient English lore of thiskind to that of the continent of Europe; while the amusements of youthin other languages are often illustrated by American custom, which comparesfavorably, in respect of compass and antiquity, with that of Europeancountries.

Of the two branches into which the lore of the nursery may be divided—thetradition of children and the tradition of nurses—the present collectionincludes only the former. It is devoted to formulas of play whichchildren have preserved from generation to generation, without the intervention,often without the knowledge, of older minds. Were these—triflingas they often are—merely local and individual, they might bepassed over with a smile; but being English and European, they form notthe least curious chapter of the history of manners and customs. It hastherefore been an essential part of the editor's object to exhibit theircorrespondences and history; but, unwilling to overcloud with cumbrousresearch that healthy and bright atmosphere which invests all that reallybelongs to childhood, he has thought it best to remand to an appendixthe necessary references, retaining in the text only so much as may bereasonably supposed of interest to the readers in whom one or anotherpage may awaken early memories.

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He has to express sincere thanks to the friends, in different parts of thecountry, whose kind assistance has rendered possible this volume, in whichalmost every one of the older states is represented; and he will be gratefulfor such further information as may tend to render the collection moreaccurate and complete.

The melodies which accompany many of the games have been writtenfrom the recitation of children by S. Austen Pearce, Mus. Doc. Oxon.

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CONTENTS.