Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-05-11
VOL. TX.
PHILOPENA,

We believe this pleasant amusement for bows
and girls, and sometimes those of more nature
age, originated in Germany, where it is called
riel itebchen, which, as it is spoken, has the
sound OF ph,hpkin-which may have been the
origin OF our word, to which we have given n
Latin termination-pen1-be it infers a
penalty or forfeiture exacted or won by the
tact or management of the winning party
With us the thing is managed, however, ex-
cessiyely clumsy, and quite without skill.
person in company chances to find q double
meated almond and hands half the meat to
another, and says, or rather should say: "Will
you eat philopena with me?" The other may
say, am afraid, and refuse, or may accept
one of the nuts, and eat it at the same time the
challenging party eats the other. Thus they
separate; but when they meet again, the one
that can't think to say ''philOpena" first to the
other wins the forfeit, and has a right to ame
what 1t shall be-generally, among children,
some trife; or among young folks, some little
present, suitable to the condition of the parties
Thus, young lady who wins philopena of a
gentleman may Immediately add, "I wear No
st kids" If the parties meet in the street,
the lady may say Oh, yes; see you notice
that my parasol is getting old. 4. Well, then,
accept" But the gentleman must never al.
lude to her want of an article, but exercise his
judgment as to what would be acceptable
Generally, in our hot haste to win phiiopena
we forget propriety, and become rude, in this
land of thrift and hurry. The thing is far bet
ter and more pleasantly managed in Germany,
and calls into exercise some Of the most useful
faculties of the mind. When a couple meet
the next time after having eaten philopena
together, no advantage is taken of the other
until one of them prOnOunceS the word "philo-
pena" This is the warning that now the sport
Is to begin. Let US suppose that a gentleman
calls upon a lady; she invites him to walk in.
but at the same time speaks the talismanic
word If he accepts the offer to walk it, he is
lost. unless she removes the ban by telling him
to go away. If she asks him to take off his hat,
he must resolutely keep it on; if to be seated,
he must stand; or if at the table she should
hand him any article which he accepts, she
wins the forfeit At the same time, he is
watching to catch her off her guard-for the
first acceptance of any offer from the other
ends the game. Both are constantly ex-
ercising their wits to prevent being caught,
and the sport often goes on all the evening.
Perhaps the gentleman brings little present,
and says: g Knowing that l should lose my
philOpens, have broughtit along-here it is. !"
If she is caught off her guard by this smooth
speech, she loses, for he Immediately claims
forfeit. If neither wins at the first meeting
the sport is continued at the second; and it may
happen that half a dozen parties meet at the
same time, all anxious to win Of their philO-
pena partners-so that the scene often becomes
ludierOusly amusing. How preferable is this
GermOn play to our own And as the sport
derived from philOpena is very innocent and
pretty, we commend it to the = young folks" of
all America.-Nec York Tribune.