To each guest is given a brown-paper bag, and when all have assembled on the lawn, the hostess steps forward facing the company, and asks all to kindly keep quiet and listen for a few moments while she reads or repeats their Declaration of Independence, she then reads: We girls are, and of right should be, free and independent of all boys’ sports, having resources and amusements befitting the celebration of the Fourth of July, independent of all those belonging exclusively to boys. Then follows the signing of the same, by each in turn writing her name beneath the declaration. This accomplished, the hostess gives the signal and each guest fills her bag with air, by holding it close to her mouth, gathering it tightly around, and blowing into it, then grasping it firmly in the right hand, being careful not to let any air escape. At another signal, all simultaneously bring their hands forcibly and quickly together, striking the paper bags with the left hand, which bursts the bags and causes a report almost equal to that of pistols. All the bags exploding at one time, gives a salute worthy of the name and creates much merriment. The salute may be varied by bursting the bags in quick succession, so that it will sound something like a volley of musketry. This introduction is followed by games to be played on the lawn. For the new game of =Toss,= make nine disks of card-board, painted or covered with paper, red and white and blue, three of each color. Place in the centre of the lawn a fancy waste-basket, and let each player in turn stand at a distance of six feet from the basket. It is better to have the station marked by a stone or stick, at the place designated. If played by sides, two stations, one on either side of the basket will be necessary. The object of the game is to throw the disks into the basket, and they are valued according to color; red counts one, white two, and blue three. If played by sides, each side should play five rounds, ninety being the highest possible tally for any one player. This is an easy and pleasant game, and may be played with or without sides. The hostess keeps account, and at the end of the game gives a knot of red, white, and blue ribbons as a prize to the one having the highest score. We hardly recognize our old friends in the new and gigantic =Fourth of July Jackstraws.= These are all in holiday attire, and so much larger than any we have seen that they are even more attractive, and afford greater amusement than those which we have hitherto enjoyed. It does not take long to make them. Cover a number of light slender sticks, three or four feet long, with paper or cloth, some red, some white, and others blue. The colors count respectively, red one, white two, and blue three. Provide another longer stick with a hook in one end to be used in taking the jackstraws from the pile.