Every Boy's Book

Hop-scotch to hare-and-hounds, conjuring to chemistry, rabbits to rowing — the complete Victorian repertoire of things for a boy to do, set down with rules and diagrams.

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The Alaphabet

A is expressed by touching the top of the thumb of the left hand with the forefinger of the right.

B. Join the forefinger and thumb of each hand, and place the backs of the forefinger nails together.

C. Bend the fingers and thumb of the left hand, so as to form three parts of a circle.

D. Bend the fingers and thumb of the right hand into a semi-circle, and then join them to the forefinger of the left, which keep in a straight line. E. Touch the top of the forefinger of the left hand with the forefinger of the right.

F. Place the forefinger of the right hand across the backs of the first and second fingers of the left.

G. Clench both hands, and put one fist upon the other. H. Pass the palm of the right hand across that of the left, sweeping it along to the tips of the fingers, as if brushing something off. I. Touch the top of the second finger of the left hand with the forefinger of the right.

J. Clench the hands together, as directed for the letter G. K. Form a semicircle with the thumb and forefinger of the right hand, and join it to the forefinger of the left, which must be kept straight out; both forefingers must meet at the second joints.

L. Place the forefinger of the right hand across the centre of the palm of the left, so that the top of the finger may be exactly in the middle of the palm. M. Place three fingers of the right hand flat upon the palm of the left. N. Place two fingers of the right hand flat upon the palm of the left. O. Touch the top of the third finger of the left hand with the forefinger of the right.

P. Place the tips of the forefinger and thumb of the left hand in a semicircular form against the first and second joints of the forefinger of the right, which should be kept straight.

Q. Form a circle with the forefinger and thumb of the left hand, and then curve the forefinger of the right into the shape of a hook, and place it exactly where the other fingers join.

R. Bend the forefinger of the right hand and rest it on the palm of the left. S. Bend the little finger of each hand and lock them together. T. Fix the tip of the forefinger of the right hand against the middle of the lower edge of the left.

U. Touch the top of the little finger of the left hand with the forefinger of the right.

V. Place the first and second fingers of the right hand, apart, upon the palm of the left.

W. Lock the fingers of one hand between those of the other. X. Cross the forefingers at the second joints.

Y. Extend the thumb and forefinger of the left hand, and at the lower part of the fork so made place the forefinger of the right hand. Z. Elevate one hand towards the face, and rest the elbow upon the palm of the other.

The end of every sentence is indicated by snapping the second finger and thumb of the right hand. This result is requisite to avoid the confusion which might result from running the sentences into each other.

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