More On Forfeits

Finally...

We conclude our list of forfeits with a few contrived to include more than one member of the company.

1. Either a lady or a gentleman may be called upon to "sit on the Stool of Repentance." He or she must then sit in the centre of the room, while one of the party goes round to inquire, in a whisper, of each person present, what the repentant individual "looks like." The reply may be "wise," "silly," "pitiable," "beautiful," &c., according to circumstances. The answers are repeated openly to the forfeiter, with the question after each, "Who said that ?" If the right name is guessed, as is often the case, the person who made the particular observation must then sit on the "stool" in turn, and so on until the company are satisfied with the round.

2. A lady is required to "be Postman." She is to go outside the room, and rap on the door, when one of the company inquires, "Who's there?" The answer is, "The postman, with a letter for -," any gentleman she likes to name. "How many seals?" Whatever the answer may be, the gentleman may exact so many kisses; and he in turn remains outside, and declares he has a letter for a lady. So the forfeit proceeds, a lady calling a gentleman, and a gentleman a lady, until the company have all been called, but no person present is bound to answer twice.

3. When the calling of forfeits has been continued long enough, and several remain, which it is desired to clear off together, the forfeiters may be called upon to perform a "Musical Medley." Each one must then sing some verse or stanza of a song, no two choosing the same melody, but all commencing and singing together. The effect is generally so grotesque as to produce shouts of laughter.

You may have noticed that many of these forfeits were poor excuses for kissing people other than your partners!

If you feel that these are not suitable for you or your guests then you may of course make up your own.

I do recommend using forfeits however as they generally elicit a good response and ensure that a fun and memorable evening is had by all.

Additionally, if the forfeits are cleverly chosen, your guests are more likely to play the games with the spirit in which they were intended.

On the next few pages there are a few ideas for parlour games that the whole family is sure to enjoy...

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