One of the company having left the room, the others fix on a word for her to guess. The word may be "cake." She is called in, and stops before the first one in the row, who says, "Cap." She goes to the next, who says, "Apple;" the third says, "Kettle;" and the fourth says, "Egg;" each taking care to mention a word whose first letter is one that is found in the word "cake," and to say them in regular order. The guesser, having heard all these words, pauses to think over their initial letters, and finds, that, when put together, they are CAKE, and compose the word "cake," which she immediately pronounces. And it is then the turn of the one at the head of the row to go out while a word is proposed. If most of the company are unacquainted with the play, the one at the head need not explain at first the manner in which the word is guessed. But she had better tell her companions beforehand what words they are to say when the guesser comes in ; and then they will all be surprised at her guessing, not thinking that it is from putting together the initial letters.

Example.

Maria. Julia, you know this play: so you had better be the first to go out. (Julia leaves the room.) Now we will fix on the word "rainbow" for Julia to guess. Are any of you acquainted with the play?

All. I am not; I am not.

Maria. Very well, then I will tell you what words to say when Julia presents herself before you. If you all knew the play, you might choose your own words. I myself will say, " rose." Sophia, do you say, "arrow." Emily, your word may be " ice." Caroline's may be "nutmeg." Louisa's may be "bonnet." Charlotte's may be "orange;" and Harriet may say, "wafer." Come in, Julia.

Now be sure to remember your words. (Julia returns.) Well, Julia, my word is "rose."

(Julia goes all along the row, and, as she stops before each, they say the word allotted to them.)

Sophia. Arrow.

Emily. Ice.

Caroline. Nutmeg.

Louisa. Bonnet.

Charlotte. Orange.

Harriet. Wafer.

(Julia pauses a moment, and finds that the initial letters of all these words make rainbow.)

Julia. Rainbow; the word is rainbow.

All. So it is.

Caroline. I cannot imagine how you could find it out.

Emily. I think I can guess how it was done. However, I will not tell.

Harriet. I believe I can guess it too. But I also will not tell.

Charlotte. Well, it is a mystery to me.

Julia. It will not be, when the play has gone on a little longer. You will find it out by practice. Come, Maria, you are to be the next guesser.