INTRODUCTION
During a remarkably severe winter, when a prodigious fall of snow
confined everybody to their habitations, who were happy enough to have
one to shelter them from the inclemency of the season, and were hot
obliged by business to expose themselves to its rigour, I was on a visit to
Meadow Hall; where had assembled likewise a large party of young folk,
who all seemed, by their harmony and good humour, to strive who should
the most contribute to render pleasant that confinement which we were all
equally obliged to share. Nor were those further advanced in life less
anxious to contribute to the general satisfaction and entertainment.
After the more serious employment of reading each morning was
concluded, we danced, we sung, we played at blind-man\'s-buff, battledore
and shuttlecock, and many other games equally diverting and innocent;
and when tired of them, drew our seats round the fire, while each one in
turn told some merry story to divert the company.