The Traditional Children's Games of England Scotland
& Ireland In Dictionary Form - Volume 1

With Tunes(sheet music), Singing-rhymes(lyrics), Methods Of Playing with diagrams and illustrations.

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	388 MINERAL, ANIMAL, &c—MINISTER'S CAT in Folk-lore of East of Scotland, p. 52, describes the Scottish box-bed. The "truckle bed" and "footman's bed" probably refers to the small bed under a large one, which was only pulled out at night for use, and pushed under during the day. Illustrations of these beds and the children's bed are given in old tales. The proximity of the pig-sty to the house is manifest. The mention of washing-tubs calls to mind the large wooden tubs formerly always used for the family wash. Before the era of laundresses washing-tubs must have consti­tuted an important part of the family plenishing. Washing in the rivers and streams was also a thing of frequent occur­rence, hot water for the purpose of cleansing clothes not being considered necessary, or in many cases desirable. Chambers gives a version of the game (Popular Rhymes, p. 36) and also Newell (Games, p. 166). Another version from Bucking­ham is given by Thomas Baker in the Midland Gamer, 1st sen, ii. 32, in which the mother desires the daughter to " milk in the washing-tub," and the words also appear very curiously tacked on to the " Three Dukes a-riding " game from Berkshire (Antiquary, xxvii. 195), where they are very much out of place. Mineral, Animal, and Vegetable A ball is thrown by one player to any one of the others. The thrower calls out at the same time either " mineral," " animal," or " vegetable," and counts from one to ten rather quickly. If the player who is touched by the ball does not name some­thing belonging to that kingdom called before the number ten is reached, a forfeit has to be paid.—London (A. B. Gomme). This is more usually called "Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral." See "Air, Fire, and Water."* Minister's Cat The first player begins by saying, " The minister's cat is an ambitious cat," the next player " an artful cat," and so on, until they have all named an adjective beginning with A. The next time of going round the adjectives must begin with B, the next time C, and so on, until the whole of the alphabet has been gone through.—Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire (Miss Matthews); Anderby, Lincolnshire (Miss Peacock).