are put out, you can resign yourself to life of single-blessedness.
36. LAUNCHING OF THE BOATS.
A tub of water is placed on table. Hostess lights candle and gives each guest a boat made from half an English walnut shell containing taper an inch long. These tapers are of as many colors as possible, so that each may recognize his boat; and when there are not enough colors to go around, the remaining shells are painted. The tapers are fastened in with wax. At signal, each couple lights tapers at hostess's taper and at stroke of gong all launch boats. A witch's wand sets water in motion, and fates are decided by course of various vessels. If your own and partner's boat sail staunchly side by side, the inference is obvious; if they jostle each other, woe for the love, which, however true, does not run smooth. Boats which cross but part way and remain whirling helplessly round, or drifting hither and thither, do not promise successful, well-rounded life; while, if they cling to edge and fear to take their chance, their owners will lack enterprise. The length of time each candle burns foretells length of owner's life; one which burns longest betokens first bride or bridegroom.
8. MARCH TO SUPPER.
Method of Securing Partners for Supper.
Supper partners are secured by drawing lots from two baskets or dishes of English walnuts which have been prepared as follows:
Cut English walnuts open, being careful not to break the half shells; remove the meat and place- inside one raisin, or one pea, bean, filbert, or one other similar thing; tie the two half shells together with fancy ribbon. Make the contents of two walnuts just alike and keep the walnuts apart, placing one in one dish and the other in another dish, making enough so that every guest will have one. When supper-time comes, pass one dish to the men and the other dish to the women.
