This is a form of entertainment suitable for Independence Day. "Military Checkers," played at small tables, may furnish appropriate amusement.

Each table is named for some fort: "Fort Ticonderoga," "Fort Duquesne," etc. Though the players "progress" from one table to another, all their honors are counted as belonging to the fort of their first allegiance, to which table they return each time they win.

The prizes may be in any form suggestive of Independence Day. An enameled pencil in the shape of a firecracker, or flag-shaped cuff-links, would do for the man's prize, and a cracker-jar for the lady's prize.

The piazza should be strung with colored lanterns, which can be lighted when the guests are in the dining-room at supper. The dining-room may be simply decorated with red roses and vines, and the dining-room table in the same way, a big blue-and-white bowl in the centre of the table holding the roses. These roses should be bright red in color. Small flags serve as doilies, and the china used should be blue-and-white. The candlesticks upon the table hold white candles; the shades should be red, and streamers of blue ribbons are tied about the base of the candles, falling with graceful effect over the brightly polished candlesticks. The bonbons are placed upon the table in two small raffia baskets. Each bonbon is tied about with a band of baby-ribbon.

When the supper is nearly over the baskets of bonbons are passed, one to the men and the other to the ladies. Each guest takes one candy, and it is found that no two in one basket have the same colored ribbon. Each confection in the men's basket, however, has a mate in the ladies' basket, and in this way partners are found for the old-time Virginia reel, which is danced on the piazza. As a jolly ending to the fun the men of the party set off some fireworks.