Barley brake, Barley break

( Games.) The name of a popular pastime, very common in England in the time of James I., and which is frequently referred to by old writers. It was played by six persons, three of each sex, who were formed into couples. A piece of ground was then divided into three parts, the centre one being called hell. One of the couples was stationed in this hell, and their effort was to catch either of the other couples in cro ing from the one side to the other, when the couple caught had to take up their place in the centre. The couple in the centre were bound to keep together; but the others, when hard pre ed, might sever. When all had been taken, the game was ended; and the last couple taken was said to be in hell, their punishment appearing to have consisted in ki ing each other. Games of a similar kind, more or le modified, are still practised by young persons both in England and Scotland.