A Jane Austen Christmas by Carlo DeVito

Author:Carlo DeVito
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cider Mill Press

Charades was another favorite among the Austens. It was very popular at Steventon and Godmersham, and later at Chawton. There is no reason to think it was not played at other great houses as well.

“In 1895, there appeared an anonymous and private booklet of the charades: and theatrical conundrums written by the Austen family for their own entertainment,” wrote Austen and Regency traditions expert Maria Hubert. “The game was played one of two ways. First, it could be a relaxed parlour game, whereby everyone could stay seated. Each player in turn would recite their conundrum, and the rest had to guess at the word. Alternatively, the party would divide into two or more groups, and having decided on their word, they would create short one minute acts to describe the syllables, the last describing the whole word. The word had to be said in the act.”

Here are several from the book thought to be by Jane Austen herself:

III

In confinement I’m chained every day

Yet my enemies need not be crowing

To my chain I have always a key,

And no prison can keep me from going.

Small and weak are my hands I’ll allow,

Yet for striking my character’s great,

Though ruined by one fatal blow

My strokes, if hard pressed, I repeat.

I have neither mouth, eye nor ear

Yet I always keep time as I sing,

Change of season I never need fear,

Though my being depends on the spring.

Would you wish, If these hints are too few ,

One glimpse of my figure to catch?

Look round! I shall soon be in view

If you have but your eyes on the watch.

Answer

IV

Though low is my station

The Chief of the Nation

On me for support oft depend;

Young and old, strong and weak,

My assistance all seek,

Yet all turn their backs on their friend.

At the first rout in town

Every Duchess will own,

My company not a disgrace;

Yet at each rout you’ll find

I am still left behind,

And to everyone forced to give place

Without bribe or treat,

I have always a seat

In the Chapel so famed, of St Stephen;

There I lean to no side,

With no party divide, But keep myself steady and even.

Each debate I attend,

From beginning to end,

Yet I seem neither weary nor weaker;

In the house every day Not a word do I say,

Yet in me you behold a good Speaker.

Answer

XVIII

When my first is a task to a young girl of spirit,

And my second confines her to finish the piece,

How hard is her fate! But how great is her merit,

If by taking my all she effects her release!

Answer

XIX

Divided, I’m a gentleman public deeds and powers;

United I’m a monster, who

That gentleman devours.

Answer

XX

You may lie on my first by the side of a stream,

And my second compose to the nymph you adore,

But if, when you’ve none of my whole, her esteem

And affection diminish - think of her no more!

Answer

On the other hand, a child’s Christmas in this period was altogether different. For example, at Godmersham, “the children had the usual Christmas dancing and games, Hunt the Slipper, Oranges and Lemons, Wind the Jack, Lighting a Candle in Haste, and Spare Old Noll,” wrote Claire Tomalin.

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