AN OLD CHRISTMAS GAME.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1940, 24 December 1913, Page 9

AN OLD CHRISTMAS GAME.

Mumming is a style of merriment with maii}' forms, and though still fairly (veil known to some classes, there are many people ivlio have never Ken it in quy* shape. Perhaps tho commonest form, and almost the only surviving one, used by tho girls is that of putting on some strange articlo of dross, a mask, and a ntaiv's hat or cap; then—two or threo making up a pariy—taking dusters, blacking brushes, and tho like, and invading a neighbour's house and generally '"tidying it up" to their satisfaction. No matter what the family and tho guests are doing at tho moment, the "Mummers" proceed with their, selfallotted task, and rarely indeed arc tiioy interfered with. During the work not a word is said by them; and if one of them yields to tho verbal temptation of a person ill tho house to make her speak, tho others instantly rush out in order to keep their secret. Among the young men mumming is dono mostly as disguised minstrels But sometimes half a dozen or so of the youths and girls of a similar ago will band together, mask themselves, and go to the houses of their friends, acting -some dumb show previously arranged on. And Who lists may in their mumming seo Traces of ancient mystery. But, 0! what- masquers, richly digbt,' Can boast of bosoms half so hsH! .