Wilkinson, John Gardner; Birch, Samuel [Mitarb.]: The Egyptians in the time of the pharaohs: being a companion to the Crystal Palace Egyptian collections (London, 1857)

THIMBLE-RIG, AND INDOOR GAMES.

15

one and a-half to one and three-quarter inches high ; and when
moved were taken up with the finger and thumb as our chessmen.
The greater part of their games within doors were played by
professional people hired to amuse the guests, who sat round
on elegant chairs and couches, while the performers displayed
their skill in the open space purposely left in the centre of
the room. At one time a conjuror produced his pea, and
astonished the ever-mistaken novice with thimble-rig, per-
formed with four cups ;* at another, tumblers, mostly women,
performed various evolutions, throwing themselves over and
over backwards, "in the manner of a wheel," singly or two
together ;t some, again, standing on each other's backs, made a
somersault to the ground; while others, wearing high foolscaps,
or with their long hair dressed to resemble them, turned head
over heels without deranging their projecting head-gear, occa-
sionally holding one foot with the hand during the performance.

(W. 3.)

To excel in these feats required long training, and was not
* P- A. of Ancient Egyptians, vol. i. p. 203. t In-, P- 189.