THE GAME OF PERSONATION.
Reading edition
Any number of children may join in this game, and it may be played in any room, or on a lawn or field. All join hands, and go around singing, to the tune "Buy a Broom," these words: "When I was a lady, a lady, a lady—when I was a lady, a lady was I." All then let go of hands, and march around in single file, singing this chorus: "'Twas this way and that way, 'twas this way and that way, 'twas this way and that way, 'twas this way and that." During the singing of the chorus each child imitates as nearly as possible the attitudes and action of the person denoted in the first part of the song, which is changed every time by introducing a different character. All act together, and try to make the various parts as funny and as distinct as they can, and each one must look as sober as possible during the marching and acting. While they sing about the lady they must walk with mincing steps, and hold the dress daintily with the left hand, while the right seems to be waving a fan, and the head is turned archly sideways. All then go around again, joining hands in the ring, singing, "When I was a gentleman, a gentleman, a gentleman—when I was a gentleman, a gentleman was I. 'Twas this way and that way," etc., as before. In this, as in all the choruses, they imitate the person, and they strut along with heads thrown back, the forefinger and thumb of the left hand making an eyeglass, and the right hand twirling an imaginary cane. Next they use the word school-boy, and pretend to march slowly to school with folded hands and unwilling steps. The teacher is denoted by holding an imaginary book in the left and making signs with the right hand; the pianist, by playing on imaginary keys; the shoemaker, by driving pegs into the shoes; and the chore-woman, by kneeling down and scrubbing the floor or ground with both hands. The grandmother goes slowly with knitting-work in her shaking hands, and grandpa, leaning his bent form on an imaginary cane, usually brings up the rear, and ends the long procession.
"TRAIN UP A CHILD," ETC. Young Lady. "Look here, Boatman, my Sister and I can Row, but we want somebody to Steer us." Boatman. "Well, Miss, this 'ere young Gentleman might. I'm sure it's time he knew how, by the looks of 'im!"
