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Chapter XII: Part II (2)

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| | | 6 | | | | 6 | | |
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Place any twenty stones, as is shown in the diagram, so that in every row their fronts and backs alternate. How can you change the picture by only two movements, so that, retaining its present form, you alter its chequers into stripes?

The answer by anagram to--What helps to make “bakers fat?” is _Breakfast_.

No. LXXXVI.--HANG THE MATCHES!

Here is an amusing method of turning wax matches to quaint account:--

If the wax is slightly melted, and perhaps shredded for some effects, all sorts of fanciful figures can be thus contrived.

ANSWER BY ANAGRAM

What does an editor say to each “ream of paper?” _Appear for me._

LEWIS CARROLL’S WILL PUZZLE

Here is a most ingenious will puzzle, by Lewis Carroll, which will be new to most of our readers. Each of the following five questions has to be answered by a different sentence, nine letters long, and each sentence is spelt with the same letters used in varied order:--

When are you going to make your will?
Shall I write it for you in pencil?
When may a man leave all his money to charities?
What did the uncle say when he heard this?
What did the nephew say when the uncle made him his heir?

The anagram answers to the five questions in Lewis Carroll’s will puzzle are as follows:--

When are you going to make your will?
_Now I think._
Shall I write it for you in pencil?
_No, with ink._
When may a man leave all his money to charities?
_With no kin._
What did the uncle say when he heard this?
_Hint, I know._
What did the nephew say when the uncle made him his heir?
_Think I won!_

No. LXXXVII.--A PARROT CRY

The good old Rebus--

may stand for the proverb--

“Honesty is the best policy.” (On ST is the best poll I see!)

No. LXXXVIII.--A PICTURE PUZZLE

Can you find eight animals that are concealed in this wood?

If we may go by its anagram the _gardenia_ needs careful “drainage.”

DEFINITIONS BY ANAGRAM

What is the “soldiers’” anagram?
_Lo I dress._

What motto befits “Christianity?”
_I cry that I sin._

No. LXXXIX.--A SHADOWGRAPH

Here is a good old sample of an effect produced by supple fingers in a strong light on the wall:--

Adjust the fingers as is shown, so as to secure the bright spot for the eye, and then life-like movements can easily be made with legs and ears.

The characteristic for the moment of the gaol-bird who began to tear his clothing, crying out, “I mean to rend it!” was _determination_, which contains exactly the same letters.

Those who, according to their anagram, are best equipped for a “sea trip” are _Pirates_.

AN ANSWER BY ANAGRAM

What is most unlike a festival?--_Evil fast_.

The three words in italics in the verse below form also a long single word, of which the lines themselves give a vivid description:--

While many greet the friends they meet,
I know no face, I press no hand.
Though busy feet may throng the street,
I _sit alone, sirs_, in the land.

“Solitariness.”

No. XC.--A REBUS

Can you interpret this word-picture?

It represents the name of a famous man.

ANSWER BY ANAGRAM

Should you wish to go by rail,
Hasten to the station;
“Train on time” can never fail
To reach its destination.
If you need a further clue
Keep your journey’s end in view.

_Termination._

We may expect to find “Anarchists” involved _in rash acts_ according to their anagram.

When his patient has recovered, a “surgeon,” can say by anagram _go nurse_!

ANSWER BY ANAGRAM

What momentous event of the last century forms in two words an anagram of the three words appropriate to it, “violence run forth?”

_French Revolution._

No. XCI.--ON THE WALL

Here is a picturesque head, which in a strong light can be thrown upon the wall by anyone who is handy with his fingers.

The peaked cap seems to suggest a French soldier.

ANSWERS BY ANAGRAM

What manner of men has “Eton” produced?

Men of _tone_ and _note_.

What worries the “postman?”

_No stamp._

What are to be seen at “Epsom Races?”

_Some pacers._

No. XCII.--ILLUSTRATED EGGS

As an excellent illustration of how much expression can be given by quite a few simple lines, if the pen or pencil is in artistic hands, we give the outlines of half a dozen eggs, on which by a few deft touches varied emotions of the human face are cleverly depicted.

Here is a hint for fun in the home circle, with a basket of eggs, a sheaf of pencils, and a prize for the best rapid design. There is room for two contrasting faces on each egg.

ANSWERS BY ANAGRAM

What did “Henry Wadsworth Longfellow” do for America?

He _Won half the New World’s glory_.

What was the happy result of patriotic “sentiment” in our colonies during the Boer war?

_It sent men._

No. XCIII.--THE FIVE STRAWS

Take five straws, each about four inches long, and a shilling, and arrange them so that by holding an end of one of the straws you can lift them all.

The diagram given above shows how, by properly interlacing the five straws, the shilling may be so inserted as to form a wedge which locks them all together.

ANSWERS BY ANAGRAM

What can you say when using a “fire-escape?”

_I creep safe._

What is the extreme of “slow reading?”

_A single word._

How might a “Poorhouse” in olden days have been described by its own letters?--_O sour hope!_

What is “Old England” to her sons and daughters?--_Golden land._

The battle of “Inkermann” tells by its anagram of _men in rank_.

No. XCIV.--EQUIVALENT REDISTRIBUTION

In the problem known as “The Flighty Nuns,” the Abbess in the central cell was satisfied so long as she could count nine of her charges in the cells on each of the four sides. Here are diagrams which show how the thirty-six inmates could on these terms absent themselves without discovery, 2, 4, 8, 10, 12, 16, and even 18 at a time by re-arrangement of their numbers in the cells.

+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+
|0|9|0| |1|8|0| |2|5|2|
+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+
|9|A|9| |8|A|8| |5|A|5|
+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+
|0|9|0| |0|8|1| |2|5|2|
+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+

+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+
|2|5|2| |2|4|3| |3|3|3|
+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+
|5|A|5| |4|A|4| |3|A|3|
+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+
|2|5|2| |3|4|2| |3|3|3|
+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+

+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+
|2|2|5| |4|1|4| |5|0|4|
+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+
|2|A|2| |1|A|1| |0|A|0|
+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+
|5|2|2| |4|1|4| |4|0|5|
+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+

The clue by anagram to those in search of “hidden treasure” who sought to discover a dish-cover is _dish under a tree_.

No. XCV.--THE PUZZLED CARPENTER

To stop a serious leak a carpenter sought for a board a foot square. The only piece he could find was two feet square, but it was pierced with sixteen holes, as in the diagram below:--

How did he contrive to cut a square from this of the necessary size?

The answer by anagram to “What should we all welcome, if the Chancellor of the Exchequer could ‘introduce’ it into his Budget?” is _reduction_.

Things that we know to be “transient” must be looked at, according to their anagram, _instanter_.

A MUSICAL ANAGRAM

Sweet Mary, the Maid of the Mill, arranged an ingenious signal by song, by which, in olden days, she could assure her father that all was well when mischief was abroad. If he heard her singing, “Do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si,” he was sure that nothing was amiss. When these syllables are shaken up, and recast as an anagram, what reassuring sentence do they form?

The musical syllables, sung as a reassuring signal to her father, by Mary, the Maid of the Mill, “Do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si,” when shaken up and recast as an anagram form the sentence “A mill door is safe.”

No. XCVI.--NOT EASY WHEN YOU KNOW

Of the many “match puzzles” the following seems to be the most confusing to the ordinary solver, and any variation of its original position is enough to create fresh confusion.

+-----+-----+-----+
| | | |
| | | |
+-----+-----+-----+
| | | |
| | | |
+-----+ +-----+

Re-arrange three of these matches and form four squares.

The enigma anagram--

They were orthodox as beadles,
But in business tricks and wheedles
They were “sharp I see” as needles--

is solved by _Pharisees_.

The question--Where did we buy “our fancy mat?”--is answered by anagram at the _manufactory_.

No. XCVII.--SIMPLICITY

Construct this figure with five matches:--

/\
/ \
/ \
----
\ /
\ /
\/

Remove three of the matches, and then replace two of them so as to form a similar figure.

A common and much-appreciated “dose at meat shop” is, according to its anagram, _mashed potatoes_.

Tiglath-Pileser was the name of the king which can be resolved into the anagram, “I till the grapes.”

“Art? I begin art!” is an anagram for _Great Britain_.

If heartily administered, _nine thumps_, the anagram of “punishment,” would fall deservedly upon the shoulders of a wife-beater.

ANSWER BY ANAGRAM

Our strongest “armaments” are _men-at-arms_.

No. XCVIII.--OVER THE WINE AND WALNUTS

Can you build a bridge with three wooden matches, which shall connect three wine-glasses, and be solid enough to support a fourth set upon it?

This picture shows how it is to be done.

The _elephant_, according to its anagram, is the animal to which the command “Leap then!” would be the least appropriate.

The answer by anagram to “Whom should we employ to make ‘alterations’ in our overcoats?” is _Neat tailors_.

Where do we go to remedy “disease?”

To the _seaside_.

Who should make a good “manager?”

_A German._

No. XCIX.--FROM THE MATCHBOX

Here is quite a simple match problem:--

----- ----- -----
| | | |
| | | |
----- ----- -----
| | | |
| | | |
----- ----- -----
| | | |
| | | |
----- ----- -----

Can you remove eight of these matches, that now form nine squares, so as to leave only two squares upon the table?

When Cato and Chloe, at the Popular Café, decided to order for their afternoon tea a pot of what is formed by the mixture of the letters of their names, they called for _Chocolate_.

The answer by anagram to “Why may the scenery round Bournemouth be said to be ‘quite spruce’?” is--because it is _picturesque_.

Lord Roberts’ motto, “Virtute et Valore,” is by its anagram _True to avert evil_, a happy indication of his character.

No. C.--LIFT NINE WITH ONE

To arrange ten matches on a table, so that with one hand you can lift nine of them with the tenth, lay them, as is shown in Fig. 1, with the heads of eight pillowed on one, and pointing in opposite directions, and the tenth placed across the ridge at the top.

Then lift all, as shown in Fig. 2.

A MAN HIS OWN ANAGRAM

The enigma--

Behold in me a man forlorn,
Who, though with sound limbs he was born,
His anagram alas is!
For he has found out to his cost,
While all his nimbleness is lost,
How slippery wet grass is!

is solved by _Male, lame_.

The answer by anagram to the question, “Whom do ‘our big hens’ frequently annoy?” is _neighbours_.

No. CI.--FREEHAND DRAWING

This is the way to draw in three strokes an old woman looking out of a window:--

Here is a puzzle anagram:--

Tell how to spell my name,
As on the stall you spy me,
For the letters are the same
Which bid you how to buy me.

_Peach--cheap._

The eglantine is the flower which quite contradicts its anagram, _inelegant_.

The touching epitaph in memory of little Alice formed from the letters of her name was _à ciel_!

No. CII.--A NOTABLE ANAGRAM

sparkle
+-------+
| Cats |
we | on | on.
| Truck |
+-------+
Yes!

Treated as an anagram the words “Cats on truck” can be recast into _Nuts to crack_, and the surrounding motto, “Yes! we sparkle on” into _Pearsons Weekly_; so that the whole design resolves itself into--_Nuts to crack, in Pearson’s Weekly_.

The old saying that a man who is his own doctor has a fool for his patient, seems to be borne out by the curious fact that the words, “Dangers of amateur physicking,” resolve themselves into the perfect anagram--“_The sick men pay for drugs again_.”

A ’VARSITY ANAGRAM

What every “undergraduate” hates--

_A great rude dun_.

The food for a crocodile which seems to be indicated by its name is _cool’d rice_!

No. CIII.--WITH DRAWN SWORD

Here is a very simple and ingenious method of representing roughly an officer with drawn sword.

Six wax vestas, shredded to form the hair and sword-belt, are fastened together by the application of a little heat.

Anyone with handy fingers and an ingenious turn of mind can easily construct other quaint figures in this style.

“Time and tide wait for no man.”

ITS ANAGRAMS

A fine mandate to mind, I trow.

_and_

A firm intent made, a “do it now.”

No. CIV.--SHADOWGRAPHS

Here are three excellent shadowgraphs, which can be produced with good effect by flexible fingers in a strong light on the wall.

“Norway’s Olaf is in old England.”

ITS ANAGRAMS

Elf-lad, so loyal and so winning.

A darling son and noisy fellow.

Of winning lads, lead, royal son!

On London’s air wing safely lad.

ANSWERS BY ANAGRAM

Why should _city life_ be happy?

Because the same letters spell _felicity_.

What is the best proof that “real stickphast paste sticks?”

The same letters spell--_Keep this, stick scraps at last_!

ANSWERS BY ANAGRAM

What place have our puzzles “in magic tale?”

They are _enigmatical_.

What great assembly would seem from its name to consist of “partial men?”

_Parliament._

CHARACTER BY ANAGRAM

What did Douglas Jerrold, by his name anagram, declare himself to be?

_Sure, a droll dog I!_ (_i for j_)

What in the old-fashioned days caused “the wig” to be discarded?

_Weight._

The following curious peace anagrams are appropriate in these days of disturbance. Each set of words between inverted commas contain exactly the same letters:--

“To escape fray” I ever “stay for peace,”
In “quiet times,” too, “I’m quite set” at ease:
Let no “vile words” provoke the “evil sword,”
Lest “red war” come, and bring its own “reward.”

Why does the old proverb “Birds of a feather flock together” form a mystic link between us and our cousins in America?

Because the same letters recast spell out the patriotic sentence, _It rocks the broad flag of the free_!

What, by their anagram, are “platitudes?”

_Stupid tales._

Why is there a measure to “disappointment?”

Because it is _made in pint pots_.

What is the purpose of a “catalogue?”

It is _got as a clue_.

If “porcus” is Latin for pig, what is Latin for its body?

_Corpus._

What may “laudation” easily become?

_Adulation._

What is “revolution?”

_To love ruin._

Define “The Griffin” (Temple Bar).

_Fine fright._

Why is there room for variety in “twelve sentences?”

Because we can _select new events_.

How do we know that “potatoes” in the singular should not have an “e” at the end?

Because they spell _O stop at e_!

What should be done to a “misanthrope?”

_Spare him not._

What was the owl of “Minerva?”

_A vermin!_

These, wherever they are found,
Cluster lightly overhead.
Should you chance to turn them round
Blows may tell of weight instead.
Twisted in a foreign tongue,
You will see them as they are.
Changed again they need a bung
When you move them full and far.

This is solved by the anagram words _nuts_, _stun_, _sunt_, _tuns_. (_Sunt_ is Latin for “they are.”)

IPSISSIMA VERBA

A discussion arose one day, in the winter season, between several members of a West-end Club, as to the value of flannel underwear. A London physician, who was appealed to, upheld the need for this, and it was afterwards found that his name, Alfred James Andrew Lennane, treated as an anagram, becomes “Man needs aired flannel wear.” This was singular, but a much more curious coincidence of similar sort was discovered by an expert in anagrams.

Another member took quite an opposite view, and declared that all should wear linen. By a wonderful chance his name, Edward Bernard Kinsila, resolves itself into the _actual words_ that came from his lips--“A d---- bad risk Dr., wear linen!”

A CHRISTMAS CARD

| |
-+----------------------------------+-
| AN ANAGRAM |
| |
|“Christmas comes but once a year.”|
|So by Christ came a rescue to man.|
-+----------------------------------+-
| |

PALINDROMES

OR

SENTENCES THAT READ BOTH WAYS

NAPOLEON’S PALINDROME

Able was I ere I saw Elba.

ADAM AND EVE’S PALINDROME

Madam, I’m Adam!

When Charles Grant, Colonial Secretary, was made Lord Glenelg, in 1835, he was called Mr Facing-both-ways, because his title Glenelg was a perfect palindrome, that could be read with the same result from either end.

It was a member of the same family who sought to prove the antiquity of his race by altering an “i” into an “r” in his family Bible, so that the text ran, “there were Grants on the earth in those days.”

A GOOD PALINDROME

“Roma, ibi tibi sedes, ibi tibi amor,” which may be rendered, “At Rome you live, at Rome you love;” is a sentence which reads alike from either end.

A QUAINT PALINDROME

Eve damned Eden, mad Eve!

This sentence reads alike from either end.

A good specimen of a palindrome is this German saying that can be read from either end:--

Bei Leid lieh stets Heil die Lieb
(In trouble comfort is lent by love.)

Here are some ingenious palindromes, which can be read from either end:--

Repel evil as a live leper.

Dog, as a devil deified, lived as a god.

Do Good’s deeds live never even? Evil’s deeds do O God!

A SCHOOLBOY’S PALINDROME

“Subi dura a rudibus”

“I have, endured roughness from the rod” which can be read alike from either end.

Very notable as a long palindrome, even if it is not true record of the great surgeon’s experience, is this quaint sentence:--“Paget saw an Irish tooth, sir, in a waste gap.”

A PEACE PALINDROME

Snug & raw was I ere I saw war & guns.

This sentence reads alike from either end.

A PALINDROME PUZZLE

A turning point in every day,
Reversed I do not alter.
One half of me says haste away!
The other bids me falter.--_Noon._

Very remarkable for its length and good sense combined is the following palindrome, which can be read from either end with the same result:--“No, it is opposed, art sees trades opposition.”

A PERFECT PALINDROME

Perhaps the most perfect of English palindromes is the excellent adage--

“Egad, a base tone denotes a bad age.”

Here is the most remarkable Latin palindrome on record:--

SATOR AREPO TENET OPERA ROTAS

Its distinguishing peculiarity is that the first letters of each successive word unite to form the first word, the second letters spell the second word, and so on throughout the five words; and as the whole sentence is a perfect palindrome, this is also true on reversal.

SOLUTIONS

No. III.--A BOOK AND ITS AUTHOR

The well-known book and its author which are represented by

are “Innocents Abroad,” by Mark Twain. (In no sense A broad, by mark twain.)

No. IV.--ON THE SHUTTERS

+-----------------+-----------------+
| No.|I |
| JOHN MAR|SHALL |
| IN ATTEN|DANCE |
| FROM 8 A.M.|DAILY |
| BARBER|AND |
| HAIR C|UTTER |
| THE BALD CRY A|LOUD |
| FOR HI|S CREAMS |
| AS DISPLAYED|IN THIS WINDOW |
|WHICH MAKE HAIR G|LISTEN |
| CLOSES|AFTER 8 P.M. |
+-----------------+-----------------+

The shutter on the left blew open, leaving the other to tell its strange tale.

No. VI.--SOLVITUR AMBULANDO

A man, tracing step by step the various readings of ROTATOR on this chequered floor, can exhaust all of them, according to the arrangement on our diagram, in 21,648 steps, spelling out the word as he goes in the many directions 3608 separate times!

+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
|=R=| O | T | A | T | O |=R=| O | T | A | T | O |=R=|
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
| O |=R=| O | T | A | T | O | T | A | T | O |=R=| O |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
| T | O |=R=| O | T | A | T | A | T | O |=R=| O | T |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
| A | T | O |=R=| O | T | A | T | O |=R=| O | T | A |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
| T | A | T | O |=R=| O | T | O |=R=| O | T | A | T |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
| O | T | A | T | O |=R=| O |=R=| O | T | A | T | O |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
|=R=| O | T | A | T | O |=R=| O | T | A | T | O |=R=|
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
| O | T | A | T | O |=R=| O |=R=| O | T | A | T | O |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
| T | A | T | O |=R=| O | T | O |=R=| O | T | A | T |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
| A | T | O |=R=| O | T | A | T | O |=R=| O | T | A |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
| T | O |=R=| O | T | A | T | A | T | O |=R=| O | T |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
| O |=R=| O | T | A | T | O | T | A | T | O |=R=| O |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
|=R=| O | T | A | T | O |=R=| O | T | A | T | O |=R=|
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+

This large total is due mainly to the fact that ROTATOR is a palindrome, and lends itself to both backward and forward reading. The man, a veritable rotator, will thus have walked more than four miles within a compass of one hundred and forty-four square feet.

No. VIII.--AN OLD SAMPLER

| |
-+----------------------------+-
| AL. IT. |
|T.L. EW. O. MA! |
|N.T. Ho! UGH AVE. Ryli. |
|T.T. Let. Hi! N.G.I. |
|S.S. We. Et. Erf. Art. Ha!|
|N.S. Ug. Ara. N.D.F. Lo! |
|W.E. R.S.T. Ha! TB. |
|L.O. O! Mins. Pri. |
| N. G. |
-+----------------------------+-
| |

The cross-stitch legend on the old sampler, if its letters are read in regular sequence, runs thus:--

A little woman, though a very little thing,
Is sweeter far than sugar, and flowers that bloom in spring.

No. XII.--STRIKE A BALANCE

This diagram shows how, while the odd and even numbers of the nine digits add up to 25 and 20 respectively, they can be arranged in two groups so that the odd and the even add up to exactly the same sum.

+----------------------+
/| |\
+-+----------------------+-+
| | 1 | |
| | 3 2 | |
| | 5 4 | |
| | 7 6 79 | |
| | 9 8 5¹⁄₃ 84²⁄₆ | |
| | -- -- ----- ----- | |
| | 25 20 84¹⁄₃ 84¹⁄₃ | |
| | ==================== | |
+-+----------------------+-+
\| |/
+----------------------+

No. XIII.--PUZZLE LINES

The puzzle lines--

HKISTA!
MRS LR’S SR
MR LR KRS.
“BLR MR LR!”
MRS LR HRS--

when read according to the usual pronunciation of Mr and Mrs, and taking the title from the Greek, become, by affinity of sound--

_He kissed her!_
Mrs Lister’s sister
Mr Lister kisses.
“Blister Mr Lister!”
Mrs Lister hisses.

No. XIV.--IN MEMORIAM

The puzzle epitaph--

| |
-+-------------------------+-
|WEON . CEW . ERET . WO |
|WET . WOM . ADEO . NE |
|NON . EFIN . DUST . WO |
|NO . WLI . FEB . EGO . NE|
| WILLIAM and MARGARET |
| TAYLOR |
| Anno Domini 1665 |
-+-------------------------+-
| |

reads thus--

We once were two,
We two made one.
None find us two
Now life be gone.

No. XVI.--A QUAINT EPITAPH

| |
-+------------------------------+-
|IT - OBIT - MORTI - MERA|
|PUBLI - CANO - FACTO - NAM |
|AT - RES - T - M - ANNO - XXX |
|ALETHA - TE - VERITAS |
|TE - DE - QUA - LV - VASTO |
|MI - NE - A - JOVI - ALTO |
|PERAGO - O - DO - NE - AT |
|STO - UT - IN - A - POTOR - AC|
|AN - IV - VAS - NE - VER - A |
| =R - I - P= |
-+------------------------------+-
| |

reads into English thus:--

“I Tobit Mortimer, a publican of Acton, am at rest. Man, no treble X ale that ever I tasted equal was to mine. A jovial toper, a good one at stout in a pot or a can, I was never a rip!”

No. XIX.--SHAKESPEARE RECAST

If you start with the first =T= in this combination, and then take every third letter--

+----------------------+
|HOUSE.CANOE.AFTER. |
|HOUR.PRINT.CAVE.CHILD |
|SASH.SLEVE.ACORN. |
|AMPLE.SAD.TATTA.HENA |
|MAT.ACHE.CAKE.TACHES, |
|HELIAC.SACQUE.USUAL. |
|ARBOR.SEE.MULCH.JACUR.|
| USE.STOP. |
+----------------------+

you will form the popular quotation, “Thrice is he armed that hath his quarrel just.”

No. XX.--A DOUBLE ACROSTIC

The excellent double Acrostic--

An old Italian bird we know
Whose heart was ever touched by snow.

1. None can press me without pain,
Pressure is against the grain.
2. I am a king without my head.
3. Here is another king instead.

is solved thus:--

CORNIX

1. C or N
2. (R) O -- I
3. R e X

We may tell those of our readers who have not studied the dead languages that _cornix_ is the Latin for a crow, and that the word can be broken up into _cor_, heart, and _nix_, snow, while _rex_ is, of course, a king in Latin, as _roi_ is in French. The double meaning of corn is brought out by “against the grain.”

No. XXI.--HIDDEN PROVERBS

The five hidden proverbs are:--

“A rolling stone gathers no moss.”

“Too many cooks spoil the broth.”

“A live dog is more to be feared than a dead lion.”

“You cannot eat your cake and have it.”

“Peace hath her victories no less renowned than war.”

Start from the central A, and work round and round.

No. XXVII.--WAS IT VOLAPÜK?

Read backwards it becomes “Old birds are not caught with chaff.”

No. XXVIII.--ANOTHER EPITAPH

(_On an Old Pie Woman_)

BENE AT hint HEDU S.T.T.H. emo Uldy O
L.D.C. RUSTO F.N.E. L.L.B.
AC. hel orl AT Ely
W ASS hove N.W. how ASS Kill’d
Int heart SOF pi escu Star
D. sand Tart Sand K N ewe,
Ver yus E oft he ove N.W. Hens he
’Dliv’ Dlon geno
UG H.S. hem Ade he R la STP uffap
UF FBY HE RHU
S. B an D. M.
Uchp R.A. is ’D no Wheres He dot
H L. i.e. TOM a Kead I.R.T.P. Iein hop est
Hat he R.C. Rust W I
L.L.B. ERA IS’D----!

This puzzle epitaph, written aright, runs thus:--

Beneath in the dust the mouldy old crust
Of Nell Bachelor lately was shoven,
Who was skilled in the arts of pies, custards, and tarts,
And knew every use of the oven.

When she’d liv’d long enough she made her last puff,
A puff by her husband much prais’d;
Now here she doth lie to make a dirt pie,
In hopes that her crust may be rais’d.

No. XXXI.--BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS

+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| | | | | | | | |
| tle | to | a |cat- |life | and |live | In |
| | | | | | | | |
+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| | | | | | | | |
| By | tle | ow- |bro | of | non |tle |fall |
| | | |wse | | | | |
+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| | | | | | | | |
| ter |tur- | gain| like|land |one’s|quiet| And |
| | | | | | | | |
+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| | | | | | | | |
| of | ar | Bet-| me | and |Than | a- |bat- |
| | m | | ad- | | | | |
+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| | | | | | | | |
|bask | Be | lau-| or | tle |ness |done |wan- |
| | t- | | | | | | |
+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| | | | | | | | |
| rel | let |Than |die |With | der | of | smo |
| | | | | | | | ke |
+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| | | | | | | | |
| ter | in |brain|myr- | on | and |har- | un- |
| | | | | | | | |
+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| | | | | | | | |
| Ch | or |to |sun |with |work | In |heat |
| ap- | | | | | | |
+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+

The “Knight’s Tour” verses run as follows:--

Better to die with harness on
In smoke and heat of battle,
Than wander and browse, and fall anon
In quiet of meadow-land cattle.
Better to gain, by arm or brain,
Chaplet of laurel or myrtle,
Than bask in sun, with work undone,
And live one’s life like a turtle,

beginning with “Bet,” and ending in the top left-hand corner.

No. XXXII.--A BROKEN SQUARE

The Broken Word Square is made perfect thus--

S O B E R
O L I V E
B I S O N
E V O K E
R E N E W

No. XXXIII.--A KNIGHT’S TOUR PROVERB

+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
| | | | | | | |
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
| | | | |E| | |
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
| | |E| | | |T|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
| | | |L|H| | |
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
| |E| |R| |S| |
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
| | |E|A|S| | |
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|D| |E| |O| |S|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
| | | |S|P| |M|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

To solve the “Knight’s Tour” proverb start with M, and by a succession of moves, as of a knight on the chess-board, you can spell out the proverb “More haste less speed.”

No. XXXIV.--GUARINI’S PROBLEM

The solution of Guarini’s Problem, to transpose the positions of the white and black knights on the subjoined diagram on which they appear, is made clear by following the moves on the lettered diagram:--

+---+---+---+
| N |...| N |
+---+---+---+
|...| |...|
+---+---+---+
| n |...| n |
+---+---+---+

+---+---+---+
| a | C | d |
+---+---+---+
| D | | B |
+---+---+---+
| b | A | c |
+---+---+---+

First move the pieces from a to A, from b to B, from c to C, and from d to D. Then move them from A to d, from B to a, from C to b, and from D to c. The effect so far is as if the original square had been rotated through one right angle. Repeat the same sequence of moves, and the required change of positions is completed.

No. XXXV.--AN ANAGRAM SQUARE

This is the solution of the Word Square.

+-------------+
| A M E N D S |
| M I N I O N |
| E N A B L E |
| N I B B L E |
| D O L L A R |
| S N E E R S |
+-------------+

No. XXXVII.--A KNIGHT’S TOUR

The letters on the board below, read aright in the order of a Knight’s moves at chess, starting from the most central E form the following popular proverb:--

+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|R|L|T|E|Y|L|R|O|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|Y|H|L|T|O|B|T|A|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|T|A|A|A| |H|T|I|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|E|L| |E|I|N|E|O|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|D|H|W| |Y|E|S|Y|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|R|T|E|S|D| |B|W|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|Y|N|E|S|N|D|A|E|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|H|A|A|A|W|I|D|E|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

“Early to bed, and early to rise,
Is the way to be healthy, and wealthy, and wise.”

No. XXXVIII.--A WORD SQUARE

Dr Puzzlewitz completed his Word Square thus:--

E R A S E
R A V E N
A V E R T
S E R V E
E N T E R

No. XXXIX.--THE SQUAREST WORD

This is completed thus:--

D E L F
E V I L
L I V E
F L E D

It will be seen that there are four distinct readings of each word.

No. XL.--A PUZZLE DIAMOND

The Diamond is completed thus:--

D
T I P
T I A R A
D I A M O N D
P R O U D
A N D
D

No. XLI.--A DEFECTIVE DIAMOND

The Defective Diamond is completed thus:--

S
G E M
P E R I L
G E N E R A L
S E R E N A D E R
M I R A C L E
L A D L E
L E E
R

No. XLIII.--LETTER PUZZLE

The word is _Level_, filled in thus:--

L E V E L
E E E E
V V V
E E E E
L E V E L

No. XLVII.--THE CIRCLE SQUARED

The Circle can be squared thus:--

C I R C L E
I N U R E S
R U L E S T
C R E A S E
L E S S E E
E S T E E M

No. XLVIII.--A BROKEN SQUARE

This is the completed Square:--

+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|B|O|A|S|T|E|R|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|O|B|S|C|E|N|E|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|A|S|S|E|R|T|S|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|S|C|E|P|T|R|E|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|T|E|R|T|I|A|N|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|E|N|T|R|A|N|T|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|R|E|S|E|N|T|S|
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

No. XLIX.--A CARD PROBLEM

Here is the arrangement of the aces, kings, queens, and knaves of a pack of cards in a kind of Magic Square:--

+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| CLUBS | SPADES | HEARTS |DIAMONDS|
| ACE | KING | QUEEN | KNAVE |
+--------+--------+--------+--------+
|HEARTS |DIAMONDS| CLUBS | SPADES |
| KNAVE | QUEEN | KING | ACE |
+--------+--------+--------+--------+
|DIAMONDS| HEARTS | SPADES | CLUBS |
| KING | ACE | KNAVE | QUEEN |
+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| SPADES | CLUBS |DIAMONDS| HEARTS |
| QUEEN | KNAVE | ACE | KING |
+--------+--------+--------+--------+

In each row, column, and diagonal, one, and one only, of the four suits and of the four denominations is represented.

No. L.--TURF-CUTTING

The eight thin strips of turf, cut from my lawn to form the four sides of two square rose-borders, can be placed on a level surface of soil thus without being broken or bent:--

This forms a framework for the three flower-beds of similar shape and size.

No. LI.--A READY RECKONER

The gardener decided that the water-butt was more than half-full thus:--

He tilted it steadily, and some of the water ran over its edge before the bottom corner _A_ came into sight; but as soon as the water level stood at _A B_ the cask was exactly half full.

No. LII.--A TRANSFORMATION

The flat-headed 3 can be turned into a 5 by one continuous line, without scratching out any portion of the 3, by treating the flat top of the 3 as part of a square drawn round the 5, thus:--

No. LIII.--A CLEAR COURSE

Here is a list of ninety-two positions, in which eight pieces can be placed upon the chess or draughtboard so that each has a clear course in every direction.

++==+====+====+==+====+====+==+====+====+==+====+====++
|| 1|1586|3724|24|3681|5724|47|5146|8273|70|6318|5247||
|| 2|1683|7425|25|3682|4175|48|5184|2736|71|6357|1428||
|| 3|1746|8253|26|3728|5146|49|5186|3724|72|6358|1427||
|| 4|1758|2463|27|3728|6415|50|5246|8317|73|6372|4815||
|| 5|2468|3175|28|3847|1625|51|5247|3861|74|6372|8514||
|| 6|2571|3864|29|4158|2736|52|5261|7483|75|6374|1825||
|| 7|2574|1863|30|4158|6372|53|5281|4736|76|6415|8273||
|| 8|2617|4835|31|4258|6137|54|5316|8247|77|6428|5713||
|| 9|2683|1475|32|4273|6815|55|5317|2864|78|6471|3528||
||10|2736|8514|33|4273|6851|56|5384|7162|79|6471|8253||
||11|2758|1463|34|4275|1863|57|5713|8642|80|6824|1753||
||12|2861|3574|35|4285|7136|58|5714|2863|81|7138|6425||
||13|3175|8246|36|4286|1357|59|5724|8136|82|7241|8536||
||14|3528|1746|37|4615|2837|60|5726|3148|83|7263|1485||
||15|3528|6471|38|4682|7135|61|5726|3184|84|7316|8524||
||16|3571|4286|39|4683|1752|62|5741|3862|85|7382|5164||
||17|3584|1726|40|4718|5263|63|5841|3627|86|7425|8136||
||18|3625|8174|41|4738|2516|64|5841|7263|87|7428|6135||
||19|3627|1485|42|4752|6138|65|6152|8374|88|7531|6824||
||20|3627|5184|43|4753|1682|66|6271|3584|89|8241|7536||
||21|3641|8572|44|4813|6275|67|6271|4853|90|8253|1746||
||22|3642|8571|45|4815|7263|68|6317|5824|91|8316|2574||
||23|3681|4752|46|4853|1726|69|6318|4275|92|8413|6275||
++==+====+====+==+====+====+==+====+====+==+====+====++

The numbers indicate the position on the eight successive columns of the cells on which the men are to be placed. Of course, many similar arrangements arise from merely turning the board.

No. LIV.--QUARRELSOME NEIGHBOURS

This diagram shows, by the dotted lines, how the three unfriendly neighbours made the covered pathways to their gates, so that they might never meet or cross each other’s paths.

No. LVI.--THE CROSS KEYS

The Cross Keys puzzle when put together takes the form shown below.

The method is as follows:--Hold _a_ upright between forefinger and thumb of left hand. With the right hand push _b_ through the slot until the further edge of the middle slot is nearly even with the outer edge of _a_. Then lower _c_, held with the short arm of the cross nearest to you, over the top of _a_, so that the central portion passes through the cross cut in _b_. Finally push _b_ towards the centre, until the transverse cut is hidden, and the puzzle is completed.

No. LVII.--THE NABOB’S DIAMONDS

When the children of the Indian Nabob divided his diamonds, the first taking one stone and a seventh of the remainder, the second two stones and a seventh of what was left, the third three under similar conditions, and so on till all were taken, there were 36 diamonds and 6 children.

The division is prettily illustrated thus:--

○○○○○
○○○○○● ○○○○○
○○○○○● ○○○○○
○○○○○● ○○○○○
○○○○○● ○○○○○
○○○○○● ○○○○○
○○○○○● ●●●●●●

○○○○
○○○○● ○○○○
○○○○● ○○○○
○○○○● ○○○○
○○○○● ○○○○
○○○○● ○○○○
○○○○● ●●●●●●

○○○
○○○● ○○○
○○○● ○○○
○○○● ○○○
○○○● ○○○
○○○● ○○○
○○○● ●●●●●●

This shows how the first three took their shares, indicated by black dots, the remainder being carried down each time, and by similar process three more claimants would exhaust all the diamonds.

No. LVIII.--A CARD CHAIN

To solve the Card Chain puzzle take a card about 5 in. by 3 in., as shown below, draw a light pencil line from _A_ to _B_ and from _C_ to _D_, lay the card in water till you can split its edges down to the pencil lines, and put it aside to dry.

With a sharp knife cut quite through the straight lines, but only half through the dotted lines on the split edges. The corresponding figures show the bar of each link, marking its two parts, which are connected by the upper and under halves of the split portion. A little patient ingenuity will now release link after link, and thus complete the chain.

No. LIX.--STRAY DOTS

+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
|\ | / \ | / \ | / \ | /|\ | / \ | / \ | / \ | /|
+--+-----+-----+-----+--+--+-----+-----●-----+--+
|/ | \ / | \ / | \ / | \|/ | \ / | \ / | \ / | \|
|\ | / \ | / \ | / \ | /|\ | / \ | / \ | / \ | /|
+--+-----+-----+-----●--+--+-----+-----+-----+--+
|/ | \ / | \ / | \ / | \|/ | \ / | \ / | \ / | \|
|\ | / \ | / \ | / \ | /|\ | / \ | / \ | / \ | /|
+--+-----●-----+-----+--+--+-----+-----+-----+--+
|/ | \ / | \ / | \ / | \|/ | \ / | \ / | \ / | \|
|\ | / \ | / \ | / \ | /|\ | / \ | / \ | / \ | /|
+--+-----+-----+-----+--+--●-----+-----+-----+--+
|/ | \ / | \ / | \ / | \|/ | \ / | \ / | \ / | \|
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--●--+
|\ | / \ | / \ | / \ | /|\ | / \ | / \ | / \ | /|
+--+-----+-----+-----+--+--+-----+-----+-----+--+
|/ | \ / | \ / | \ / | \|/ | \ / | \ / | \ / | \|
|\ | / \ | / \ | / \ | /|\ | / \ | / \ | / \ | /|
+--●-----+-----+-----+--+--+-----+-----+-----+--+
|/ | \ / | \ / | \ / | \|/ | \ / | \ / | \ / | \|
|\ | / \ | / \ | / \ | /|\ | / \ | / \ | / \ | /|
+--+-----+-----●-----+--+--+-----+-----+-----+--+
|/ | \ / | \ / | \ / | \|/ | \ / | \ / | \ / | \|
|\ | / \ | / \ | / \ | /|\ | / \ | / \ | / \ | /|
+--+-----+-----+-----+--+--+-----●-----+-----+--+
|/ | \ / | \ / | \ / | \|/ | \ / | \ / | \ / | \|
+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+

No. LX.--THE OPEN DOOR

+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
|A |
+ + + + + + + + +
| |
+ + + + + + + + +
| |
+ + + + + + + + +
| |
+ + + + + + + + +
| |
+ + + + + + + + +
| |
+ + + + + + + + +
| |
+ + + + + + + + +
| |
+ + + + + + + + +
| x |
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

The prisoner who is placed in the cell marked A, and is promised his liberty if he can reach the door at _X_ by passing through all the cells, entering each once only, gains his freedom by passing from _A_ to the cell below, and thence _returning_ to _A_, and leaving it again _by the other door_; his further course then is quite simple.

No. LXII.--LEAP FROG

Move 9 to 13, 3 to 9, 7 to 3, 22 to 7, 18 to 22, 24 to 18, 9 to 24, 13 to 9, 7 to 13, 3 to 7, 18 to 3, 22 to 18.

No. LXIII.--MUSIC HATH CHARMS

is explained by the couplet--

“From _Handel_ I learn
As my _handle_ I turn.”

No. LXVII.--A SWARM OF WORDS

This is the key

M
A
M A D A M
A
M

If these letters form each of the five crosses the conditions are all fulfilled.

In each cross the words Madam, Adam, Ada can be traced in sixteen different directions, and the words Dam, am and a in four directions, so that there are no less than three hundred and twenty readings of these words in the whole mystic cross, and sixty-four in each separate cross, though only three different letters are used.

No. LXVIII.--AFTER SOME SAD REVERSE

No. LXX.--A PICTURE PUZZLE

“A misunderstanding between friends.”

No. LXXIV.--A NERVOUS SHOCK

No. LXXVIII.--A TRANSPARENCY

No. LXXXII.--A RE-BUS

It was _Incubus_ that the driver of a London Road car hurled as a scornful charge, at his rival on a motor car.

No. LXXXV.--CHEQUERS AND STRIPES

+---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+
| 2 | | 1 | | 3 | | 3 | | 3 |
| | | | | | | | | |
| 2 | | 4 | | 1 | | 4 | | 3 |
+---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+

+---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
+---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+

+---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+
| 1 | | 3 | | 3 | | 5 | | 5 |
| | | | | | | | | |
| 5 | | 6 | | 5 | | 6 | | 5 |
+---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+

+---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
+---+ +---+ +---+ +---+ +---+

Put a finger on one of the black backs in the top row, and move that stone round to the bottom of its column, then push upward, so that each stone rises into the row above it. Repeat this with the other back, and the stripes are formed.

No. LXXXVIII.--A PICTURE PUZZLE

The eight animals hidden in this wood are-- _Giraffe_, _Lion_, _Camel_, _Elephant_, _Hog_, _Horse_, _Bear_, _Hound_.

No. XC.--A REBUS

The solution is _Wellington_.

No. XCV.--THE PUZZLED CARPENTER

The carpenter, anxious to stop a leak, was able to cut a board a foot square from a board two feet square, which was pierced at regular intervals by sixteen holes, by the following ingenious method:--

No. XCVI.--NOT EASY WHEN YOU KNOW

The solution of the puzzling match rearrangement is as follows:--We repeat the original five square diagram, from which four squares were to be formed by rearranging three matches, and its solution below.

+-----+ +-----+
| | | |
| | | |
+-----+-----+-----+
| | | |
| | | |
+-----+-----+-----+

+-----+ +-----+
| | | |
| | | |
+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| | | |
| | | |
+-----+ +-----+

No. XCVII.--SIMPLICITY

When we have constructed this figure with five matches, we can remove three of the matches, and then replace two of them so as to form a similar figure, by moving any three of them a short distance, and then replacing the two that are left behind, in their original positions! This “catch” finds many victims.

/\
/ \
/ \
------
\ /
\ /
\/

No. XCIX.--FROM THE MATCHBOX

The diagram below shows how eight matches can be removed from the nine-square arrangement so as to leave two squares on the table.

----- ----- -----
| |
| |
-----
| | | |
| | | |
-----
| |
| |
----- ----- -----

MISSING WORDS SOLUTIONS

1

What tempting _sprite_ beguiled the boy to sample
Fruit that hung _ripest_ on the parson’s trees?
_Stripe_ upon _stripe_ shall make him an example
When the stern _priest_ has brought him to his knees.

2

Man of the dark room, _traces_ none I find
Upon these _cartes_ of likeness to my features.
_Carest_ thou naught, O man of evil mind,
Who _racest_ thus to libel fellow creatures?

Evil thus done _reacts_ upon the doer,
The _carets_ in thy conduct, sir, are many;
_Recast_ thy life, and let thy crimes be fewer,
Or all thy _crates_ of good won’t fetch a penny!

3

The missing words all spelt with the same
seven letters, are _tho’ near_, _a hornet_, _or neath_, _nor
hate_, _or then a_, _near hot_, _than o’er_, _ten hoar_, _the
roan_, and _eat horn_.

4

’Neath _bluest_ Indian seas fierce battles spread
’Twixt _subtle_ hermit-crabs and other shellfish!
With horrid _bustle_ when their foes are dead
These crabs declare their shells _sublet_, so selfish.

5

Though _seated_ secure and _sedate_ in his cage,
Our Polly, when _teased_, will fly into a rage.

6

All courtly honours are but light
As grains that from a _grater_ fly;
And he who wears the _Garter_ bright
May haply in a _garret_ die.

7

I’d rather from a _manger_ eat,
I give my sacred word,
Than dine in slums where _ragmen_ meet,
And _German_ pedlars herd.

8

A much married _grandee_ of Cadiz
Once _angered_ some riotous ladies.
To _derange_ him they chucked
A _grenade_, but he ducked,
Which _enraged_ these rude ladies of Cadiz.

9

A lass and her lover were _warned_ by the sky
Not to _wander_ too far where no shelter was nigh.
She lingered behind, and _drew an_ old church,
St. _Andrew_ by name, and was left in the lurch.

She tried a short cut through the park on the grass,
But sternly the _warden_ forbade her to pass.
Then helplessly stood the disconsolate maid,
When the lad she was soon to _wed ran_ to her aid.

10

When _weather_ smiles, and sunbeams play
On flowers that _wreathe_ and deck the green,
_Whate’er_ can match the scene so gay
_Whereat_ they crown the May-day queen?

11

’Tis said of William, while his forces rested
On Albion’s _shores_, when Harold had been bested,
He made the _shoers_ of his _horses_ fuse
Saxon spear-heads, to fashion into shoes.

12

Happiness, brighter than _rubies_, is dead;
Life’s battle, sterner and _busier_ now,
Heals the sore _bruise_ that love left as it fled,
_Buries_ remembrance of long-broken vow!

13

Press critics fall on me like sharks:
“A shameless _patcher_ of odds and ends,
No _chapter_ original,” and more remarks
In adverse mood. But stay, my friends,
He _carpeth_ best who hath his record clean;
My faults are published, yours are yet unseen!

14

_Plates_ are his _staple_, fashion-forms of grace
In _pastel_ deftly hinted.
_Pleats_ soft as _petals_, crowned by Beauty’s face,
In _palest_ hues are tinted.

15

When Kate _no heart_ _nor heat_ displayed
_He ran to_ hide a tear;
“All love is dead _on earth_,” he said.
“_Another_ I’ll _not hear_!”

16

Some grinding at the _tholes_ must toil,
Down-trodden _helots_ of to-day;
While other children of the soil
In vast _hotels_ their wealth display.

17

Betrayed by faithless friends, in _sadder_ mood
Man _dreads_ his fellows as the _adder’s_ brood.

18

With divers _inks_ his _skin_ is scarred,
He hangs a bangle in his nose;
Such marks secure his _kin’s_ regard,
Exalt his fame, and _sink_ his foes.

19

_Steward_, who, as we _west’ard_ roll,
_Drawest_ for me the foaming bowl,
And _wardest_ off unfriendly spray
With oilskin-cape, thou shalt not say
“In vain I’ve _strawed_ my favours here.”
I’ll think of thee when port is near!

20

With high _ideals_ for hearts and hands,
These _ladies_ _sailed_ for distant lands.

21

The _premiss_ of his speech did not
_Impress_ his audience a jot.
They greeted all he said thereafter
With _simpers_, smiles, and open laughter.

22

To convent shrine at break of day
With _palms_ together nuns repair;
Mid gleaming _lamps_ they kneel and pray,
And chanted _psalm_ allays each care.

23

Here once, as a hag is bedizened with paint,
A _devil_ _lived_, _veil’d_ in the garb of a saint.

24

The missing words of the lines “In praise of Sussex,” are _apers_, _rapes_, _spear_, _spare_, _pears_, _reaps_, _parse_, _pares_, all spelt with the same letters.

25

The missing words are _there_, _ether_, and _three_.

26

The missing words are _trades_, _daters_, _treads_, _darest_, and _read’st_.

27

The _Tsar_ with _arts_ importunate
To rule his _tars_ may try;
His _star_ is so unfortunate
That “_rats_” they may reply!

28

The missing words are _mace_, _acme_, and _came_.

29

The missing words are _esprit_, _sprite_, _priest_, _stripe_, and _ripest_.

30

Of all destructive country pests
The farmer _loves_ _voles_ least;
He cannot yet the puzzle _solve_
How to suppress the beast!

31

The “Fresh Air Fund” missing words are given below in italics:--

OH THE _LUSTRE_ OF THE _RESULT_

The _slimes_ of darkest London are radiant with _smiles_,
You can _read_ it in their _dear_ little faces:
So wherever you _reside_ let it be your heart’s _desire_
To ease the _cares_ and sorrows of all _races_!

32

She _rouges_ in vain, “Men are _rogues_, and as shy
As _grouse_ in October,” she says with a sigh.

33

When good men lapse the _Serpent_ grins,
When one _repents_ he swears;
And strives to set his former sins
Against his _present_ prayers.

34

His hands and face were _swart_, and sad
Upon the _straw_ a gipsy lad
Lay: as the breeze his temples fanned
He counted _warts_ on either hand.

35

In yon grey _manse_ an old divine
Taught me my “_mensa_” to decline,
And verbs with _names_ of mood and tense;
But while I plodded on apace
I had to keep the _means_ of grace,
And close his prayers with loud _amens_.

36

No reckless _drawer_ of the sword,
He _warred_ his fatherland to save.
Fighting for freedom, not _reward_,
Now _warder_ of the eastern seas.

37

A fair _design_, though _singed_ and frayed,
The critic _deigns_ to own,
And it might interest the trade
If _signed_ by some one known.

38

In his _latter_ days, as when he was young,
The _tatler_ indulges in _rattle_ of tongue.

39

The missing words indicated in the lines which begin

A cylindrical lock
Where no key can be found.

are a _ringlet_, _triangle_, _relating_, _altering_, and _integral_, which are all spelt with the same eight letters.

40

The lines with missing words, which are increased each time by one letter, run thus:--

A lover of _an_ unkind fair
Were less than _man_ did he not _moan_,
“Mine is no _nomad_ life, I swear,
It dwells in this _domain_ alone.
Grant me thy love, like _diamond_ chaste
_On diadem_, lest thou live unwooed,
_Doomed in a_ lonely life to waste
The treasure of sweet _maidenhood_.”

41

The missing words are _bared_, _beard_, _debar_, _bread_.

42

THE PAUPER’S PLAINT

Pale penury that _rivest_ social bands,
And any link that _rivets_ worth to fame,
Take ye the blame for my inactive hands,
I _strive_ in vain to build upon the sands,
Without a _stiver_, who can make a name?

43

Mr Backslide, afflicted with weakness of mind,
_Cantered_ over to Lushington’s inn, where he dined.
He _recanted_ the pledge he had taken as handy,
And emptied forthwith a _decanter_ of brandy.

44

The missing words are indicated below by italics:--

A _sutler_ sat in his _ulster_ grey,
Watching the moonbeams _lustre_ play
On a keg that in the bushes lay;
And these were the words of his song:--
“Thou _rulest_ the weak, thou _lurest_ the strong,
To thee the _result_ of bad deeds doth belong.”
And the leaves with a _rustle_ took up the sad song.

It would be difficult to find a better specimen than this of seven words spelt with the same letters.

45

In these lines each of the words in italics is longer by one letter than the one before, the same letters being carried on in varied order:--

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Twentieth Century Standard Puzzle BookChapter XII: Part II (2)

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