Chapter II: Part 2

Jamieson calls this "a game generally played by young people in a corn-yard. Hence called _barla-bracks about the stacks_, S. B." (_i. e._, in the North of Scotland). "One stack is fixed on as the _dule_ or goal; and one person is appointed to catch the rest of the company, who run out from the _dule_. He does not leave it till they are all out of sight. Then he sets off to catch them. Any one who is taken cannot run out again with his former associates, being accounted a prisoner; but is obliged to assist his captor in pursuing the rest. When all are taken the game is finished; and he who was first taken is bound to act as catcher in the next game. This innocent sport seems to be almost entirely forgotten in the South of Scotland. It is also falling into desuetude in the North."

(_b_) The following description of Barley-break, written by Sir Philip Sidney, is taken from the song of Lamon, in the first volume of the _Arcadia_, where he relates the passion of Claius and Strephon for the beautiful Urania:--

She went abroad, thereby,
At _barley-brake_ her sweet, swift foot to try. . . .
Afield they go, where many lookers be.

Then couples three be straight allotted there,
They of both ends, the middle two, do fly;
The two that in mid-place Hell called were
Must strive, with waiting foot and watching eye,
To catch of them, and them to hell to bear,
That they, as well as they, may hell supply;
Like some that seek to salve their blotted name
Will others blot, till all do taste of shame.

There may you see, soon as the middle two
Do, coupled, towards either couple make,
They, false and fearful, do their hands undo;
Brother his brother, friend doth friend forsake,
Heeding himself, cares not how fellow do,
But of a stranger mutual help doth take;
As perjured cowards in adversity,
With sight of fear, from friends to friends do fly.

Sir John Suckling also has given a description of this pastime with allegorical personages, which is quoted by Brand. In Holiday's play of the _Marriages of the Arts_, 1618, this sport is introduced, and also by Herrick (_Hesperides_, p. 44). Barley-break is several times alluded to in Massinger's plays: see the _Dramatic Works of Philip Massinger_, 1779, i. 167. "We'll run at barley-break first, and you shall be in hell" (Dekker's _The Honest Whore_). "Hee's at barli-break, and the last couple are now in hell" (Dekker's _The Virgin Martir_). See Gifford's _Massinger_, i. 104, edit. 1813. See also Browne's _Britannia's Pastorals_, published in 1614, Book I., Song 3, p. 76.

Randle Holme mentions this game as prevailing in his day in Lancashire. Harland and Wilkinson believe this game to have left its traces in Yorkshire and Lancashire. A couple link hands and sally forth from _home_, shouting something like

Aggery, ag, ag,
Ag's gi'en warning,

and trying to tick or touch with the free hand any of the boys running about separately. These latter try to slip behind the couple and throw their weight on the joined hands to separate them without being first touched or ticked; and if they sunder the couple, each of the severed ones has to carry one home on his back. Whoever is touched takes the place of the toucher in the linked couple (_Legends of Lancashire_, p. 138). The modern name of this game is "Prison Bars" (_Ibid._, p. 141). There is also a description of the game in a little tract called _Barley Breake; or, A Warning for Wantons_, 1607. It is mentioned in Wilbraham's _Cheshire Glossary_ as "an old Cheshire game." Barnes, in his _Dorsetshire Glossary_, says he has seen it played with one catcher on hands and knees in the small ring (Hell), and the others dancing round the ring crying "Burn the wold witch, you barley breech." Holland (_Cheshire Glossary_) also mentions it as an old Cheshire game.

See "Boggle about the Stacks," "Scots and English."

Barnes (Mr.)

Mr. Barnes is dead and gone,
And left his widder,
Three poor children in her arms;
What will you give her?

Where did you come from?

--Played about 1850 at Hurstmonceux, Sussex (Miss Chase).

This is probably a forfeit game, imperfectly remembered. See "Old Soldier."

Base-ball

An undescribed Suffolk game.--Moor's _Suffolk Words_. See "Rounders."

Basket

[Music]

--London (A. B. Gomme).

In this game the children all follow one who is styled the "mother," singing:

I'll follow my mother to market,
To buy a silver basket.

The mother presently turns and catches or pretends to beat them.--Dorsetshire (_Folk-lore Journal_, vii. 231).

We'll follow our mother to market,
To buy herself a basket;
When she comes home she'll break our bones,
We'll follow our mother to market.

--Hersham, Surrey (_Folk-lore Record_, v. 84).

A version familiar to me is the same as above, but ending with

For tumbling over cherry stones.

The mother then chased and beat those children she caught. The idea was, I believe, that the children were imitating or mocking their mother (A. B. G.). In Warwickshire the four lines of the Surrey game are concluded by the additional lines--

We don't care whether we work or no,
We'll follow our mother on tipty-toe.

When the mother runs after them and buffets them.--Northall's _English Folk Rhymes_, p. 393.

Battledore and Shuttlecock

See "Shuttlefeather."

Bedlams or Relievo

A number of boys agree to play at this game, and sides are picked. Five, for example, play on each side. A square is chalked out on a footpath by the side of a road, which is called the "Den;" five of the boys remain by the side of the Den, one of whom is called the "Tenter;" the Tenter has charge of the Den, and he must always stand with one foot in the Den and the other upon the road; the remaining five boys go out to field, it being agreed beforehand that they shall only be allowed to run within a prescribed area, or in certain roads or streets (fig. 1). As soon as the boys who have gone out to field have reached a certain distance--there is no limit prescribed--they shout "Relievo," and upon this signal the four boys standing by the side of the Den pursue them, leaving the Tenter in charge of the Den (fig. 2). When a boy is caught he is taken to the Den, where he is obliged to remain, unless the Tenter puts both his feet into the Den, or takes out the one foot which he ought always to keep in the Den. If the Tenter is thus caught tripping, the prisoner can escape from the Den. If during the progress of the game one of the boys out at field runs through the Den shouting "Relievo" without being caught by the Tenter, the prisoner is allowed to escape, and join his comrades at field. If one of the boys out at field is tired, and comes to stand by the side of the Den, he is not allowed to put his foot into the Den. If he does so the prisoner calls out, "There are two Tenters," and escapes if he can (fig. 3). When all the boys out at field have been caught and put into the Den, the process is reversed--the boys who have been, as it were, hunted, taking the place of the hunters. Sometimes the cry is "Delievo," and not "Relievo." One or two variations occur in the playing of this game. Sometimes the Tenter, instead of standing with one foot in the Den, stands as far off the prisoner as the prisoner can spit. The choosing of sides is done by tossing. Two boys are selected to toss. One of them throws up his cap, crying, "Pot!" or "Lid!" which is equivalent to "Heads and Tails." If, when a prisoner is caught, he cries out "Kings!" or "Kings to rest!" he is allowed to escape. The game is a very rough one.--Addy's _Sheffield Glossary_.

Beds

Jamieson gives this as the Scottish name for "Hopscotch;" also Brockett, _North Country Words_.

Bell-horses

I. Bell-horses, bell-horses, what time of day?
One o'clock, two o'clock, three, and away!
Bell-horses, bell-horses, what time of day?
Two o'clock, three o'clock, four, and away!
Five o'clock, six o'clock, now time to stay!

--Stanton Lacey (Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 520).

II. Bellasay, bellasay, what time of day?
One o'clock, two o'clock, three, and away.

--Halliwell's _Nursery Rhymes_, p. 283.

(_b_) The children form long trains, standing one behind the other. They march and sing the first four lines, then the fifth line, when they stand and begin again as before.

(_c_) Miss Burne suggests a connection with the old pack-horses. Mr. Addy (_Sheffield Glossary_) gives the first two lines as a game. He says, "The first horse in a team conveying lead to be smelted wore bells, and was called the bell-horse." I remember when a child the two first lines being used to start children a race (A. B. G.). Chambers (_Pop. Rhymes_, p. 148) gives a similar verse, used for starting a race:--

Race horses, race horses, what time of day?
One o'clock, two o'clock, three, and away;

and these lines are also used for the same purpose in Cheshire (Holland's _Glossary_) and Somersetshire (Elworthy's _Glossary_). Halliwell, on the strength of the corrupted word "Bellasay," connects the game with a proverbial saying applied to the family of Bellasis; but there is no evidence of such a connection except the word-corruption. The rhyme occurs in _Gammer Gurton's Garland_, 1783, the last words of the second line being "time to away."

Bellie-mantie

The name for "Blind Man's Buff" in Upper Clydesdale. As anciently in this game he who was the chief actor was not only hoodwinked, but enveloped in the skin of an animal.--Jamieson.

See "Blind Man's Buff."

Belly-blind

The name for "Blind Man's Buff" in Roxburgh, Clydesdale, and other counties of the border. It is probable that the term is the same with "Billy Blynde," said to be the name of a familiar spirit or good genius somewhat similar to the brownie.--Jamieson.

See "Blind Man's Buff."

Bend-leather

A boys' phrase for a slide on a pond when the ice is thin and bends. There is a game on the ice called playing at "Bend-leather." Whilst the boys are sliding they say "Bend-leather, bend-leather, puff, puff, puff."--Addy's _Sheffield Glossary_.

Betsy Bungay

[Music]

Hi, Betsy Bungay, all day on Sunday;
You're the lock and I'm the key,
All day on Monday.

--Kent (J. P. Emslie).

Two children cross their hands in the fashion known as a "sedan chair." A third child sits on their hands. The two sing the first line. One of them sings, "You're the lock," the other sings, "and I'm the key," and as they sang the words they unclasped their hands and dropped their companion on the ground. Mr. J. P. Emslie writes, "My mother learned this from her mother, who was a native of St. Laurence, in the Isle of Thanet. The game possibly belongs to Kent."

Bicky

In Somersetshire the game of "Hide and Seek." To _bik'ee_ is for the seekers to go and lean their heads against a wall, so as not to see where the others go to hide.--Elworthy's _Dialect_.

See "Hide and Seek."

Biddy-base

A Lincolnshire name for "Prisoner's Base."--Halliwell's _Dictionary_; Peacock's _Manley and Corringham Glossary_; Cole's _S. W. Lincolnshire Glossary_.

Biggly

Name for "Blind Man's Buff."--Dickinson's _Cumberland Glossary_.

Billet

The Derbyshire name for "Tip-cat."--Halliwell's _Dictionary_.

Billy-base

A name for "Prisoner's Base."--Halliwell's _Dictionary_.

Bingo

[Music]

--Leicestershire.

[Music]

--Hexham.

[Music]

--Derbyshire.

[Music]

--Earls Heaton, Yorks.

[Music]

--Enborne.

I. The miller's mill-dog lay at the mill-door,
And his name was Little Bingo.
B with an I, I with an N, N with a G, G with an O,
And his name was Little Bingo.

The miller he bought a cask of ale,
And he called it right good Stingo.
S with a T, T with an I, I with an N, N with a G, G with
an O,
And he called it right good Stingo.

The miller he went to town one day,
And he bought a wedding Ring-o!
R with an I, I with an N, N with a G, G with an O,
And he bought a wedding Ring-o!

--Monton, Lancashire (Miss Dendy).

II. A farmer's dog lay on the floor,
And Bingo was his name O!
B, i, n, g, o, B, i, n, g, o,
And Bingo was his name O!

The farmer likes a glass of beer,
I think he calls it Stingo!
S, t, i, n, g, o, S, t, i, n, g, o!
I think he calls it Stingo!
S, t, i, n, g, O! I think he calls it Stingo!

--Market Drayton, Ellesmere, Oswestry (Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 513).

III. There was a jolly farmer,
And he had a jolly son,
And his name was Bobby Bingo.
BINGO, BINGO, BINGO,
And Bingo was his name.

--Liphook, Hants; Wakefield, Yorks (Miss Fowler).

IV. There _was_ a farmer _had_ a dog,
His name was Bobby Bingo.
B-i-n-g-o, B-i-n-g-o, B-i-n-g-o,
His name was Bobby Bingo.

--Tean, Staffs.; and North Staffs. Potteries (Miss Keary).

V. The farmer's dog lay on the hearth,
And Bingo was his name oh!
B-i-n-g-o, B-i-n-g-o, B-i-n-g-o,
And Bingo was his name oh!

--Nottinghamshire (Miss Winfield).

VI. The miller's dog lay on the wall,
And Bingo was his name Oh!
B-i-n-g-o,
And Bingo was his name Oh!

--Maxey, Northants (Rev. W. D. Sweeting).

VII. The shepherd's dog lay on the hearth,
And Bingo was his name O.
B i n g o, Bi, n, g, o, Bi-n-g-o,
And Bingo was his name O.

--Eckington, Derbyshire (S. O. Addy).

VIII. Pinto went to sleep one night,
And Pinto was his name oh!
P-i-n-t-o, P-i-n-t-o,
And Pinto was his name oh.

--Enbourne, Berks (Miss Kimber).

(_b_) In the Lancashire version, one child represents the Miller. The rest of the children stand round in a circle, with the Miller in the centre. All dance round and sing the verses. When it comes to the spelling part of the rhyme, the Miller points at one child, who must call out the right letter. If the child fails to do this she becomes Miller. In the Shropshire version, a ring is formed with one player in the middle. They dance round and sing the verses. When it comes to the spelling part, the girl in the middle cries B, and signals to another, who says I, the next to her N, the third G, the fourth "O! his name was Bobby Bingo!" Whoever makes a mistake takes the place of the girl in the middle. In the Liphook version, at the fourth line the children stand still and repeat a letter each in turn as quickly as they can, clapping their hands, and at the last line they turn right round, join hands, and begin again. In the Tean version, the one in the centre points, standing still, to some in the ring to say the letters B.I.N.G; the letter O has to be sung; if not, the one who says it goes in the ring, and repeats it all again until the game is given up. In the other Staffordshire version, when they stop, the one in the middle points to five of the others in turn, who have to say the letters forming "Bingo," while the one to whom O comes has to sing it on the note on which the others left off. Any one who says the wrong letter, or fails to sing the O right, takes the place of the middle one. The Northants version follows the Lancashire version, but if the answers are all made correctly, the last line is sung by the circle, and the game begins again. In the Metheringham version the child in the centre is blindfolded. When the song is over the girls say, "Point with your finger as we go round." The girl in the centre points accordingly, and whichever of the others happens to be opposite to her when she says "Stop!" is caught. If the blindfolded girl can identify her captive they exchange places, and the game goes on as before. The Forest of Dean and the Earls Heaton versions are played the same as the Lancashire. In the West Cornwall version, as seen played in 1884, a ring is formed, into the middle of which goes a child holding a stick; the others with joined hands run round in a circle, singing the verses. When they have finished singing they cease running, whilst the one in the centre, pointing with his stick, asks them in turn to spell Bingo. If they all spell it correctly they again move round singing; but should either of them make a mistake, he or she has to take the place of the middle man (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 58). In the Hexham version they sing a second verse, which is the same as the first with the name spelt _backwards_. The Berks version is practically the same as the Tean version. The Eckington (Derbyshire) version is played as follows:--A number of young women form a ring. A man stands within the ring, and they sing the words. He then makes choice of a girl, who takes his arm. They both walk round the circle while the others sing the same lines again. The girl who has been chosen makes choice of a young man in the ring, who in his turn chooses another girl, and so on till they have all paired off.

(_c_) The first verse of the Shropshire version is also sung at Metheringham, near Lincoln (C. C. Bell), and Cowes, I. W. (Miss E. Smith). The Staffordshire version of the words is sung in Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire (Miss Matthews), West Cornwall (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 58), Earls Heaton, Yorkshire (H. Hardy), Hexham, Northumberland (Miss Barker), Leicester (Miss Ellis). Miss Peacock says, "A version is known in Lincolnshire." Tunes have also been sent from Tean, North Staffs. (Miss Keary), and Epworth, Doncaster (Mr. C. C. Bell), which are nearly identical with the Leicester tune; from Market Drayton (Miss Burne), similar to the Derbyshire tune; from Monton, Lancashire (Miss Dendy), which appears to be only the latter part of the tune, and is similar to those given above. The tune given by Rimbault is not the same as those collected above, though there is a certain similarity.

The editor of _Northamptonshire Notes and Queries_, vol. i. p. 214, says, "Some readers will remember that Byngo is the name of the 'Franklyn's dogge' that Ingoldsby introduces into a few lines described as a portion of a primitive ballad, which has escaped the researches of Ritson and Ellis, but is yet replete with beauties of no common order." In the _Nursery Songs_ collected by Ed. Rimbault from oral tradition is "Little Bingo." The words of this are very similar to the Lancashire version of the game sent by Miss Dendy. There is an additional verse in the nursery song.

Bird-apprentice

A row of boys or girls stands parallel with another row opposite. Each of the first row chooses the name of some bird, and a member of the other row then calls out all the names of birds he can think of. If the middle member of the first row has chosen either of them, he calls out "Yes," and all the guessers immediately run to take the place of the first row, the members of which attempt to catch them. If any succeed, they have the privilege of riding in on their captives' backs.--Ogbourne, Wilts (H. S. May).

Birds, Beasts, and Fishes

B × × × × × × × h = Bullfinch

E × × × × × × t = Elephant

S × × × × × × × h = Swordfish

This is a slate game, and two or more children play. One writes the initial and final letters of a bird's, beast's, or fish's name, making crosses (×) instead of the intermediate letters of the word, stating whether the name is that of bird, beast, or fish. The other players must guess in turn what the name is. The first one who succeeds takes for himself the same number of marks as there are crosses in the word, and then writes the name of anything he chooses in the same manner. If the players are unsuccessful in guessing the name, the writer takes the number to his own score and writes another. The game is won when one player gains a certain number of marks previously decided upon as "game."--Barnes (A. B. Gomme).

Bittle-battle

The Sussex game of "Stoolball." There is a tradition that this game was originally played by the milkmaids with their milking-stools, which they used for bats; but this word makes it more probable that the stool was the wicket, and that it was defended with the bittle, which would be called the bittle-bat.--Parish's _Sussex Dialect_.

See "Stoolball."

Bitty-base

Bishop Kennet (in _MS. Lansd._ 1033) gives this name as a term for "Prisoner's Base."--Halliwell's _Dictionary_.

Black Man's Tig

A long rope is tied to a gate or pole, and one of the players holds the end of the rope, and tries to catch another player. When he succeeds in doing so the one captured joins him (by holding hands) and helps to catch the other players. The game is finished when all are caught.--Cork (Miss Keane).

Black Thorn

[Music]

--Earls Heaton, Yorks.

I. Blackthorn!
Butter-milk and barley-corn;
How many geese have you to-day?
As many as you can catch and carry away.

--Monton, Lancashire (Miss Dendy).

II. Blackthorn! Blackthorn!
Blue milk and barley-corn;
How many geese have you to-day?
More than you can catch and carry away.

--Harland and Wilkinson's _Lancashire Folk-lore_, p. 150.

III. Blackthorn!
New milk and barley-corn;
How many sheep have you to sell?
More nor yo can catch and fly away wi'.

--Addy's _Sheffield Glossary_.

IV. Blackthorn!
Butter-milk and barley-corn;
How many sheep have you to-day?
As many as you catch and carry away.

--Earls Heaton, Yorkshire (Herbert Hardy).

(_b_) One set of children stand against a wall, another set stand opposite, facing them. The first set sing the first line, the others replying with the second line, and so with the third and fourth lines. The two sides then rush over to each other, and the second set are caught. The child who is caught last becomes one of the first set for another game. This is the Earls Heaton version. The Lancashire game, as described by Miss Dendy, is: One child stands opposite a row of children, and the row run over to the opposite side, when the one child tries to catch them. The prisoners made, join the one child, and assist her in the process of catching the others. The rhyme is repeated in each case until all are caught, the last one out becoming "Blackthorn" for a new game. Harland and Wilkinson describe the game somewhat differently. Each player has a mark, and after the dialogue the players run over to each other's marks, and if any can be caught before getting home to the opposite mark, he has to carry his captor to the mark, when he takes his place as an additional catcher.

(_c_) Miss Burne's version (_Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 521) is practically the same as the Earls Heaton game, and Easther in his _Almondbury Glossary_ gives a version practically like the Sheffield. Mr. Hardy says it is sometimes called "Black-butt," when the opposite side cry "Away we cut." Miss Dendy quotes an old Lancashire rhyme, which curiously refers to the different subjects in the Lancashire game rhyme. It is as follows:--

Little boy, little boy, where were you born?
Way up in Lancashire, under a thorn,
Where they sup butter-milk in a ram's horn.

Another version is given in _Notes and Queries_, 3rd Series, vii. 285.

(_d_) This is a dramatic game, in which the children seem to personate animals, and to depict events belonging to the history of the flock. Miss Burne groups it under her "dramatic games."

Blind Bell

A game formerly common in Berwickshire, in which all the players were hoodwinked except the person who was called the Bell. He carried a bell, which he rung, still endeavouring to keep out of the way of his hoodwinked partners in the game. When he was taken, the person who seized him was released from the bandage, and got possession of the bell, the bandage being transferred to him who was laid hold of.--Jamieson.

(_b_) In "The Modern Playmate," edited by Rev. J. G. Wood, this game is described under the name of "Jingling." Mr. Wood says there is a rougher game played at country feasts and fairs in which a pig takes the place of the boy with the bell, but he does not give the locality (p. 7). Strutt also describes it (_Sports_, p. 317).

Blind Bucky-Davy

In Somersetshire the game of "Blind Man's Buff." Also in Cornwall (see Couch's _Polperro_, p. 173). Pulman says this means "Blind buck and have ye" (Elworthy's _Dialect_).

Blind Harie

A name for "Blind Man's Buff."--Jamieson.

Blind Hob

The Suffolk name for "Blind Man's Buff."--Halliwell's _Dictionary_; Moor's _Suffolk Glossary_.

Blind Man's Buff

I. Come, shepherd, come, shepherd, and count your sheep.
I canna come now, for I'm fast asleep.
If you don't come now they'll all be gone.
What's in my way?
A bottle of hay.
Am I over it?

--Shrewsbury (Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 525).

II. How many fingers do I hold up?
Four, three, &c. [at random in reply].
How many horses has your father?
Three [fixed reply].
What colour?
White, red, and grey.
Turn you about three times;
Catch whom you may!

--Deptford (Miss Chase).

III. How many horses has your father got in his stables?
Three.
What colour are they?
Red, white, and grey.
Then turn about, and twist about, and catch whom you may.

--Cornwall (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 57, 58).

IV. Antony Blindman kens ta me
Sen I bought butter and cheese o' thee?
I ga' tha my pot,
I ga' tha my pan,
I ga' tha a' I hed but a rap ho'penny I gave a poor oald man.

--Cumberland (Dickinson's _Glossary_).

(_b_) In the Deptford version one of the players is blindfolded. The one who blindfolds ascertains that the player cannot see by putting the first question. When the players are satisfied that the blindfolding is complete, the dialogue follows, and the blind man is turned round three times. The game is for him to catch one of the players, who is blindfolded in turn if the blind man succeeds in guessing who he is. Players are allowed to pull, pinch, and buffet the blind man.

(_c_) This sport is found among the illuminations of an old missal formerly in the possession of John Ives, cited by Strutt in his _Manners and Customs_. The two illustrations are facsimiles from drawings in one of the Bodleian MSS., and they indicate the complete covering of the head, and also the fact that the game was played by adults. Gay says concerning it--

As once I play'd at _blindman's-buff_, it hap't,
_About my eyes the towel thick was wrapt._
_I miss'd the swains, and seiz'd on Blouzelind._

And another reference is quoted by Brand (ii. 398)--

Sometyme the one would goe, sometyme the other,
Sometymes all thre at once, and sometyme neither;
Thus they with him play at boyes blynde-man-bluffe.

--_The Newe Metamorphosis_, 1600, MS.

Other names for this game are "Belly Mantie," "Billy Blind," "Blind Bucky Davy," "Blind Harie," "Blind Hob," "Blind Nerry Mopsey," "Blind Palmie," "Blind Sim," "Buck Hid," "Chacke Blynd Man," "Hoodle-cum-blind," "Hoodman Blind," "Hooper's Hide," "Jockie Blind Man."

(_d_) There is some reason for believing that this game can be traced up to very ancient rites connected with prehistoric worship. The name "Billy Blind" denoted the person who was blindfolded in the game, as may be seen by an old poem by Lyndsay, quoted by Jamieson:

War I ane King
I sould richt sone mak reformatioun
Farlyeand thairof your grace sould richt sone finde
That Preistis sall leid yow lyke are bellye blinde.

And also in Clerk's _Advice to Luvaris_:

Sum festnit is and ma not flé,
Sum led is lyk the belly blynd
With luve, war bettir lat it be.

"It is probable," says Jamieson, "that the term is the same as Billy Blynde, said to be the name of a familiar spirit or good genius somewhat similar to the brownie." Professor Child identifies it with Odin, the blind deity. Another name in Scotland is also "Blind Harie," which is not the common Christian name "Harry," because this was not a name familiar in Scotland. Blind Harie may therefore, Jamieson thinks, arise from the rough or hairy attire worn by the principal actor. Auld Harie is one of the names given to the devil, and also to the spirit Brownie, who is represented as a hairy being. Under "Coolin," a curious Highland custom is described by Jamieson, which is singularly like the game of "Belly Blind," and assists in the conclusion that the game has descended from a rite where animal gods were represented. Sporting with animals before sacrificing them was a general feature at these rites. It is known that the Church opposed the people imitating beasts, and in this connection it is curious to note that in South Germany the game is called _blind bock_, i. e., "blind goat," and in German _blinde kuhe_, or "blind cow." In Scotland, one of the names for the game, according to A. Scott's poems, was "Blind Buk":

Blind buk! but at the bound thou schutes,
And them forbeirs that the rebutes.

It may therefore be conjectured that the person who was hoodwinked assumed the appearance of a goat, stag, or cow by putting on the skin of one of those animals.

He who is twice crowned or touched on the head by the taker or him who is hoodwinked, instead of once only, according to the law of the game, is said to be _brunt_ (burned), and regains his liberty.--Jamieson.

Blind Man's Stan

A boys' game, played with the eggs of small birds. The eggs are placed on the ground, and the player who is blindfolded takes a certain number of steps in the direction of the eggs; he then slaps the ground with a stick thrice in the hope of breaking the eggs; then the next player, and so on.--Patterson's _Antrim and Down Glossary_.

Blind Nerry-Mopsey

The Whitby name for "Blind Man's Buff."--Robinson's _Glossary_.

Blind Palmie or Pawmie

One of the names given to the game of "Blindman's Buff."--Jamieson.

Blind Sim

Suffolk name for "Blind Man's Buff."--Forby's _Vocabulary of East Anglia_.

Block, Haimmer (Hammer), and Nail

This is a boys' game, and requires seven players. One boy, the Block, goes down on all fours; another, the Nail, does the same behind the Block, with his head close to his _a posteriori_ part. A third boy, the Hammer, lies down on his back behind the two. Of the remaining four boys one stations himself at each leg and one at each arm of the Hammer, and he is thus lifted. He is swung backwards and forwards three times in this position by the four, who keep repeating "Once, twice, thrice." When the word "Thrice" is repeated, the _a posteriori_ part of the Hammer is knocked against the same part of the Nail. Any number of knocks may be given, according to the humour of the players.--Keith (Rev. W. Gregor).

A fellow lies on all fours--this is the Block; one steadies him before--this is the Study; a third is made a Hammer of, and swung by boys against the Block (Mactaggart's _Gallovidian Encyclopædia_). Patterson (_Antrim and Down Glossary_) mentions a game, "Hammer, Block, and Bible," which is probably the same game.

Blow-point

Strutt considers this to have been a children's game, played by blowing an arrow through a trunk at certain numbers by way of lottery (_Sports_, p. 403). Nares says the game was blowing small pins or points against each other, and probably not unlike "Push-pin." Marmion in his _Antiquary_, 1641, says: "I have heard of a nobleman that has been drunk with a tinker, and of a magnifico that has played at blow-point." In the _Comedy of Lingua_, 1607, act iii., sc. 2, Anamnestes introduces Memory as telling "how he played at blowe-point with Jupiter when he was in his side-coats." References to this game are also made in _Apollo Shroving_, 1627, p. 49; and see Hawkins' _English Drama_, iii. 243.

See "Dust-Point."

Bob Cherry

A children's game, consisting in jumping at cherries above their heads and trying to catch them with their mouths (Halliwell's _Dictionary_). It is alluded to in Herrick's _Hesperides_ as "Chop Cherry." Major Lowsley describes the game as taking the end of a cherry-stalk between the teeth, and holding the head perfectly level, trying to get the cherry into the mouth without using the hands or moving the head (_Berkshire Glossary_). It is also mentioned in Peacock's _Manley and Corringham Glossary_. Strutt gives a curious illustration of the game in his _Sports and Pastimes_, which is here reproduced from the original MS. in the British Museum.

The Staffordshire St. Clement Day custom (Poole's _Staffordshire Customs, &c._, p. 36) and the northern Hallowe'en custom (Brockett's _North-Country Words_) probably indicate the origin of this game from an ancient rite.

Boggle about the Stacks

A favourite play among young people in the villages, in which one hunts several others (Brockett's _North-Country Words_). The game is alluded to in one of the songs given by Ritson (ii. 3), and Jamieson describes it as a Scottish game.

See "Barley-break."

Boggle-bush

The child's play of finding the hidden person in the company.--Robinson's _Whitby Glossary_. See "Hide and Seek."

Bonnety

This is a boys' game. The players place their bonnets or caps in a pile. They then join hands and stand in a circle round it. They then pull each other, and twist and wriggle round and round and over it, till one overturns it or knocks a bonnet off it. The player who does so is hoisted on the back of another, and pelted by all the others with their bonnets.--Keith, Nairn (Rev. W. Gregor).

Booman

[Music]

--Norfolk.

Dill doule for Booman, Booman is dead and gone,
Left his wife all alone, and all his children.

Where shall we bury him? Carry him to London;
By his grandfather's grave grows a green onion.

Dig his grave wide and deep, strow it with flowers;
Toll the bell, toll the bell, twenty-four hours.

--Norfolk, 1825-30 (J. Doe).

(_b_) One boy lies down and personates Booman. Other boys form a ring round him, joining hands and alternately raising and lowering them, to imitate bell-pulling, while the girls who play sit down and weep. The boys sing the first verse. The girls seek for daisies or any wild flowers, and join in the singing of the second verse, while the boys raise the prostrate Booman and carry him about. When singing the third verse the boys act digging a grave, and the dead boy is lowered. The girls strew flowers over the body. When finished another boy becomes Booman.

(_c_) This game is clearly dramatic, to imitate a funeral. Mr. Doe writes, "I have seen somewhere [in Norfolk] a tomb with a crest on it--a leek--and the name Beaumont," but it does not seem necessary to thus account for the game.

Boss-out

A game at marbles. Strutt describes it as follows:--"One bowls a marble to any distance that he pleases, which serves as a mark for his antagonist to bowl at, whose business it is to hit the marble first bowled, or lay his own near enough to it for him to span the space between them and touch both the marbles. In either case he wins. If not, his marble remains where it lay, and becomes a mark for the first player, and so alternately until the game be won."--_Sports_, p. 384.

Boss and Span

The same as "Boss-out." It is mentioned, but not described, in Baker's _Northamptonshire Glossary_.

Boys and Girls

[Music]

--_The Dancing Master_, 1728, vol. ii., p. 138.

Boys, boys, come out to play,
The moon doth shine as bright as day;
Come with a whoop, come with a call,
Come with a goodwill or don't come at all;
Lose your supper and lose your sleep,
So come to your playmates in the street.

--_Useful Transactions in Philosophy_, p. 44.

This rhyme is repeated when it is decided to begin any game, as a general call to the players. The above writer says it occurs in a very ancient MS., but does not give any reference to it. Halliwell quotes the four first lines, the first line reading "Boys and girls," instead of "Boys, boys," from a curious ballad written about the year 1720, formerly in the possession of Mr. Crofton Croker (_Nursery Rhymes_). Chambers also gives this rhyme (_Popular Rhymes_, p. 152).

Branks

A game formerly common at fairs, called also "Hit my Legs and miss my Pegs."--Dickinson's _Cumberland Glossary_.

Bridgeboard

A game at marbles. The boys have a board a foot long, four inches in depth, and an inch (or so) thick, with squares as in the diagram; any number of holes at the ground edge, numbered irregularly. The board is placed firmly on the ground, and each player bowls at it. He wins the number of marbles denoted by the figure above the opening through which his marble passes. If he misses a hole, his marble is lost to the owner of the Bridgeboard.--Earls Heaton (Herbert Hardy). [The owner or keeper of the Bridgeboard presumably pays those boys who succeed in winning marbles.]

See "Nine Holes."

Broken-down Tradesmen

A boys' game, undescribed.--Patterson's _Antrim and Down Glossary_.

Brother Ebenezer

Ebenezer is sent out of the room, and the remainder choose one of themselves. Two children act in concert, it being understood that the last person speaking when Ebenezer goes out of the room is the person to be chosen. The medium left in the room causes the others to think of this person without letting them know that they are not choosing of their own free will. The medium then says, "Brother Ebenezer, come in," and asks him in succession, "Was it William, or Jane," &c., mentioning several names before saying the right one, Ebenezer saying "No!" to all until the one is mentioned who last spoke.--Bitterne, Hants (Mrs. Byford).

Bubble-hole

A child's game, undescribed.--Halliwell's _Dictionary_.

Bubble-justice

The name of a game probably the same as "Nine Holes."--Halliwell's _Dictionary_.

Buck, Buck

A boy stoops so that his arms rest on a table; another boy sits on him as he would on a horse. He then holds up (say) three fingers, and says--

Buck, buck, how many horns do I hold up?

The stooping boy guesses, and if he says a wrong number the other says--

[Two] you say and three there be;
Buck, buck, how many horns do I hold up?

When the stooping boy guesses rightly the other says--

[Four] you say and [four] there be;
Buck, buck, rise up.

The boy then gets off and stoops for the other one to mount, and the game is played again.--London (J. P. Emslie).

Similar action accompanies the following rhyme:--

Inkum, jinkum, Jeremy buck,
Yamdy horns do au cock up?
Two thà sès, and three there is,
Au'll lea'n thee to la'ke at Inkum.

--Almondbury (Easther's _Glossary_).

A different action occurs in other places. It is played by three boys in the following way:--One stands with his back to a wall; the second stoops down with his head against the stomach of the first boy, "forming a back;" the third jumps on it, and holds up his hand with the fingers distended, saying--

Buck shee, buck shee buck,
How many fingers do I hold up?

Should the stooper guess correctly, they all change places, and the jumper forms the back. Another and not such a rough way of playing this game is for the guesser to stand with his face towards a wall, keeping his eyes shut.--Cornwall (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 59).

In Nairn, Scotland, the game is called Post and Rider. One boy, the Post, takes his stand beside a wall. Another boy stoops down with his head touching the Post's breast. Several other boys stoop down in the same way behind the first boy, all in line. The Rider then leaps on the back of the boy at the end of the row of stooping boys, and from his back to that of the one in front, and so on from back to back till he reaches the boy next the Post. He then holds up so many fingers, and says--

Buck, buck, how many fingers do I hold up?

The boy makes a guess. If the number guessed is wrong, the Rider gives the number guessed as well as the correct number, and again holds up so many, saying--

[Four] you say, but [two] it is;
Buck, buck, how many fingers do I hold up?

This goes on till the correct number is guessed, when the guesser becomes the Rider. The game was called "Buck, Buck" at Keith. Three players only took part in the game--the Post, the Buck, and the Rider. The words used by the Rider were--

Buck, buck, how many horns do I hold up?

If the guess was wrong, the Rider gave the Buck as many blows or kicks with the heel as the difference between the correct number and the number guessed. This process went on till the correct number was guessed, when the Rider and the Buck changed places.--Rev. W. Gregor.

(_b_) Dr. Tylor says: "It is interesting to notice the wide distribution and long permanence of these trifles in history when we read the following passage from Petronius Arbiter, written in the time of Nero:--'Trimalchio, not to seem moved by the loss, kissed the boy, and bade him get up on his back. Without delay the boy climbed on horseback on him, and slapped him on the shoulders with his hand, laughing and calling out, "Bucca, bucca, quot sunt hic?"'--_Petron. Arbitri Satiræ_, by Buchler, p. 84 (other readings are _buccæ_ or _bucco_)."--_Primitive Culture_, i. 67.

Buck i' t' Neucks

A rude game amongst boys.--Dickinson's _Cumberland Glossary_.

Buckerels

"A kind of play used by boys in London streets in Henry VIII.'s time, now disused, and I think forgot" (Blount's _Glossographia_, p. 95). Hall mentions this game, temp. Henry VIII., f. 91.

Buckey-how

For this the boys divide into sides. One "stops at home," the other goes off to a certain distance agreed on beforehand and shouts "Buckey-how." The boys "at home" then give chase, and when they succeed in catching an adversary, they bring him home, and there he stays until all on his side are caught, when they in turn become the chasers.--Cornwall (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 60).

Buff

1st player, thumping the floor with a stick: "Knock, knock!"
2nd ditto: "Who's there?"
1st: "Buff."
2nd: "What says Buff?"
1st: "Buff says Buff to all his men,
And I say Buff to you again!"
2nd: "Methinks Buff smiles?"
1st: "Buff neither laughs nor smiles,
But looks in your face
With a comical grace,
And delivers the staff to you again" (handing it over).

--Shropshire (Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_, p. 526).

Same verses as in Shropshire, except the last, which runs as follows:--

Buff neither laughs nor smiles,
But strokes his face
With a very good grace,
And delivers his staff to you.

--Cheltenham (Miss E. Mendham).

Same verses as in Shropshire, except the last, which runs as follows:--

Buff neither laughs nor smiles,
But strokes his face for want of grace,
And sticks his staff in the right place.

--London (J. P. Emslie).

(_b_) Five or six children stand in a row. Another child comes up to the first of the row, and strikes smartly on the ground with a stick. The child facing him asks the first question, and the one with the stick answers. At "strokes his face" he suits the action to the words, and then thumps with his stick on the ground at the beginning of the last line. The object of all the players is to make Buff smile while going through this absurdity, and if he does he must pay a forfeit.

Another version is for one child to be blindfolded, and stand in the middle of a ring of children, holding a long wand in his hand. The ring dance round to a tune and sing a chorus [which is not given by the writer]. They then stop. Buff extends his wand, and the person to whom it happens to be pointed must step out of the circle to hold the end in his hand. Buff then interrogates the holder of the wand by grunting three times, and is answered in like manner. Buff then guesses who is the holder of the wand. If he guesses rightly, the holder of the stick becomes Buff, and he joins the ring (_Winter Evening's Amusements_, p. 6). When I played at this game the ring of children walked in silence three times only round Buff, then stopped and knelt or stooped down on the ground, strict silence being observed. Buff asked three questions (anything he chose) of the child to whom he pointed the stick, who replied by imitating cries of animals or birds (A. B. Gomme).

(_c_) This is a well-known game. It is also called "Buffy Gruffy," or "Indian Buff." The Dorsetshire version in _Folk-lore Journal_, vii. 238, 239, is the same as the Shropshire version. Halliwell (_Nursery Rhymes_, cclxxxii.) gives a slight variant. It is also given by Mr. Addy in his _Sheffield Glossary_, the words being the same except the last two lines, which run--

But shows his face with a comely grace,
And leaves his staff at the very next place.

Buk-hid

This seems to be an old name for some game, probably "Blindman's Buff," Sw. "Blind-bock," q. "bock" and "hufwud head" (having the head resembling a goat). The sense, however, would agree better with "Bo-peep" or "Hide and Seek."--Jamieson.

Bull in the Park

One child places himself in the centre of a circle of others. He then asks each of the circle in turn, "Where's the key of the park?" and is answered by every one, except the last, "Ask the next-door neighbour." The last one answers, "Get out the way you came in." The centre one then makes a dash at the hands of some of the circle, and continues to do so until he breaks through, when all the others chase him. Whoever catches him is then Bull.--Liphook, Hants (Miss Fowler).

"The Bull in the Barn" is apparently the same game. The players form a ring; one player in the middle called the Bull, one outside called the King.

Bull: "Where is the key of the barn-door?"

Chorus: "Go to the next-door neighbour."

King: "She left the key in the church-door."

Bull: "Steel or iron?"

He then forces his way out of the ring, and whoever catches him becomes Bull.--Berrington (Burne's _Shropshire Folk-lore_, pp. 519, 520).

Another version is that the child in the centre, whilst the others danced around him in a circle, saying, "Pig in the middle and can't get out," replies, "I've lost my key but I will get out," and throws the whole weight of his body suddenly on the clasped hands of a couple, to try and unlock them. When he had succeeded he changed the words to, "I've broken your locks, and I have got out." One of the pair whose hands he had opened took his place, and he joined the ring.--Cornwall (_Folk-lore Journal_, v. 50).

(_b_) Mr. S. O. Addy says the following lines are said or sung in a game called "T' Bull's i' t' Barn," but he does not know how it is played:--

As I was going o'er misty moor
I spied three cats at a mill-door;
One was white and one was black,
And one was like my granny's cat.
I hopped o'er t' style and broke my heel,
I flew to Ireland very weel,
Spied an old woman sat by t' fire,
Sowing silk, jinking keys;
Cat's i' t' cream-pot up to t' knees,
Hen's i' t' hurdle crowing for day,
Cock's i' t' barn threshing corn,
I ne'er saw the like sin' I was born.

Bulliheisle

A play amongst boys, in which, all having joined hands in a line, a boy at one of the ends stands still, and the rest all wind round him. The sport especially consists in an attempt to heeze or throw the whole mass on the ground.--Jamieson.

See "Eller Tree," "Wind up Jack," "Wind up the Bush Faggot."

Bummers

A play of children. "Bummers--a thin piece of wood swung round by a cord" (_Blackwood's Magazine_, Aug. 1821, p. 35). Jamieson says the word is evidently denominated from the booming sound produced.

Bun-hole

A hole is scooped out in the ground with the heel in the shape of a small dish, and the game consists in throwing a marble as near to this hole as possible. Sometimes, when several holes are made, the game is called "Holy."--Addy's _Sheffield Glossary_; _Notes and Queries_, xii. 344.

Bunch of Ivy

Played by children in pairs (one kneeling and one standing) in a ring. The inner child of each pair kneels. The following dialogue begins with the inner circle asking the first question, which is replied to by the outer circle.

"What time does the King come home?"

"One o'clock in the afternoon."

"What has he in his hand?"

"A bunch of ivy."

The rhyme is repeated for every hour up to six, the outer circle running round the inner as many times as the number named. The children then change places and repeat.--Monton, Lancashire (Miss Dendy).

Bung the Bucket

[Music]

--London (J. P. Emslie).

A number of boys divide themselves into two sides. One side, the Buckets, stoop down, as for "Leap-frog," arranging themselves one in front of the other. The hindmost supports himself against the one in front of him, and the front one supports himself against a wall (fig.). They thus make an even and solid row of their backs. The other side, the Bungs, leap on to the backs of the Buckets, the first one going as far up the row as possible, the second placing himself close behind the first, and so on. If they all succeed in getting a secure place, they cry out twice the two first lines--

Bung the Bucket,
One, two, three.
Off, off, off!

If no breakdown occurs, the Buckets count one in their favour, and the Bungs repeat the process. When a breakdown occurs the Bungs take the place of the Buckets.--Barnes, Surrey (A. B. Gomme).

(_b_) Mr. Emslie, to whom I am indebted for the tune to this game, gives me the words as--

Jump a little nag-tail,
One, two, three.

He says, "I once heard this sung three times, followed by 'Ha! ha! he!' to the tune of the last bar." Mr. W. R. Emslie says the game is known at Beddgelert as "Horses, Wild Horses," he believes, but is not quite certain.

Northall (_Rhymes_, p. 401) describes a game very similar to this under "Buck," in which the rhyme and method of play is the same as in that game. He continues, "This is closely allied to a game called in Warwickshire 'Jack upon the Mopstick.' But in this there is no guessing. The leaping party must maintain their position whilst their leader says--

Jack upon the mopstick,
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten,
Count 'em off again."

Bunting

Name for "Tip-cat."--Cole's _S. W. Lincolnshire_ Glossary.

Burly Whush

A game played at with a ball. The ball is thrown up by one of the players on a house or wall, who cries on the instant it is thrown to another to catch or kep it before it falls to the ground. They all run off but this one to a little distance, and if he fails in kepping it he bawls out "Burly Whush;" then the party are arrested in their flight, and must run away no farther. He singles out one of them then, and throws the ball at him, which often is directed so fair as to strike; then this one at which the ball has been thrown is he who gives "Burly Whush" with the ball to any he chooses. If the corner of a house be at hand, as is mostly the case, and any of the players escape behind it, they must still show one of their hands past its edge to the Burly Whush man, who sometimes hits it such a whack with the ball as leaves it dirling for an hour afterwards.--Mactaggart's _Gallovidian Encyclopædia_.

See "Ball," "Keppy Ball," "Monday."

Buttons

Two or more boys take two buttons in their right hands, and try to throw them both into a small hole in the ground about two yards off. The boy who succeeds in getting both buttons in begins first next game, and takes a button as prize. [This seems merely a mild form of marbles.]--Lincolnshire (Rev. ---- Roberts).