Part 31
"A Will o' the wisp, ever pursued but never overtaken."
"A false coin, passed off as happiness."
"The leader of folly."
"The sure accompaniment of wisdom."
Many of the above definitions will be recognised as well-known quotations.
Other subjects may be started, such as:--_Progress--Rivalry--Nonsense-- Nothing--Thanks--Regards--Vanity--Ridiculous,_ and the game may be varied by combining several of these, and forming sentences in which each word shall have its due place, as "_Vanity_ is a disease which preys upon all the good qualities in the human system, reduces them to an aspect _ridiculous_ in the extreme, and precludes all ideas of mental _progress_," or, "_Nothing_ gives _pleasure_ in successful _rivalry_, if the victory is not honestly won."
INVERSIONS.
Change of order, a turning backward, is the dictionary meaning of this term, and clearly explains the method by which this simple puzzle is constructed.
"Inversions" belong to the same genus as the Logogram, which has been fully described, but have their own peculiarities, as the following examples will plainly show:--
Two letters which express a superfluity, Inverted name a famous Eastern County. _Answer_: XS (Excess). SX (Essex).
Invert a title common in Spain, A mark of recognition you obtain. _Answer_: Don, Nod.
Invert a colour, quiet, staid, A term for Poet you have made. _Answer_: Drab, Bard.
Invert a sliding box in case or table, You'll find a recompense--it is no fable. _Answer_: Drawer, Reward.
A portion if 'tis backwards read, Will prove to be a snare instead. _Answer_: Part, Trap.
HIDDEN WORDS.
This puzzle is very similar in principle to many of the other word puzzles previously described; but in that it has peculiarities and merits of its own, we give it a place by itself. It is like in many respects to the old-fashioned word puzzle known as "Discoveries," indeed, "Hidden Words" is a modification of and an improvement upon "Discoveries." In the older and now almost obsolete puzzle, it was the practice for the riddler to propound some sentence in which certain words might be made by piecing together here and there certain letters or combinations of letters formed in the sentence, and which letters, when duly pieced together, would give the designation of some person or persons, place or places, or other object. The following is an illustration of the puzzle in question, and for the better information of the reader the letters to be discovered have been printed in italics; in the actual puzzle, however, it is to be understood that the letters to be discovered are not to be marked in any manner different from the remainder of the text.
_Example_: Find the name of a great warrior, and a battle he fought, in the following sentence:--
You are looking quite _well_ s_in_ce you came from Bri_g_h_ton_; no doubt the fresh air and sea _water_ were very beneficia_l_ t_o_ y_o_u.
_Answer_: Wellington, Waterloo.
In the modification of this puzzle, which we here treat under the title of "Hidden Words," the practice is to so construct the sentence from which the hidden word is to be picked out, that all the letters forming the word shall be found consecutively and in their proper order. Greater care has, consequently, to be exercised by the proposer of the riddle, while, at the same time, the difficulty of guessing the answer remains sufficient to make the task worth attempting. The few illustrations following will be useful as examples of the nature of the puzzle. The letters out of which the hidden word is composed are printed in italics, to make the object of the puzzle clear to all:--
I at once rowe_d over_ to the opposite side of the river.
The hidden word is the name of a seaport town in England, a fashionable sea-side resort, and a military depôt.
_Answer_: Dover.
Fe_ar no_thing from me, I have no wish to harm you.
Hidden word is the name of a river in Italy.
_Answer_: Arno.
Hu_sh, Ann, on_ly you need go.
The name of one of the largest and most historically celebrated rivers in the British Isles.
_Answer_: Shannon.
Is i_t ham, es_pecially cooked for me?
Another large and famous British river.
_Answer_: Thames.
I thought it was cap_ital, y_our rendering of the character of Iago.
The name of a country of Europe.
_Answer_: Italy.
_Will I am_use the remaining guests?
A Christian name.
_Answer_: William.
In the construction of a riddle, acrostic, word-puzzle, or enig_ma; caul, ay_green, and words like these, and which are but rarely employed, are useful for mystification.
The name of a celebrated essayist and historian.
_Answer_: Macaulay.
The puzzle of "Hidden Words" is sometimes described under the names of "Hidden Cities," "Hidden Rivers," "Hidden Poets," "Hidden Countries, Battles, Events," and the like.
NUMBERED CHARADES.
The "Numbered Charade" is a species of conundrum, simple in its construction, but possessing enough point to rivet the attention of all the company as to its probable meaning. It possesses, too, a distinguishing characteristic over other riddles, in the contagious influence it exercises upon all seeking its solution. The riddler's quick wit, set to work to solve a good Charade, may possibly fail in that attempt; but assuredly the task itself will suggest ideas of words and their arrangement which he may, in his turn, announce to the social circle, and thus "keep the ball rolling." This accounts for the great favour in which Charades are held as a popular source of amusement.
A Charade is an enigmatical composition which describes an object; the name of this object should be composed of two or more syllables, each syllable having a separate and different meaning. In announcing the Charade, which may be written in prose or verse, it must be divided into my _first_ (first syllable); my _second_ (second syllable); my _third_ (if there are more syllables than two); and my _whole_, which should signify the name of the object of the puzzle. With this explanation we shall present to our readers a selection of examples, old and new.
A poetic Charade, by Winthrop Mackworth Praed, has much merit, and is noted for the length of time it remained undiscovered. Miss Mitford, in her "Literary Recollections," confesses her inability to solve it, which was shared by all to whom she had propounded it.
"Sir Hilary charged at Agincourt; Sooth! 'twas an awful day! And though, in that old age of sport, The ruffers of the Camp and Court Had little time to pray, 'Tis said that Sir Hilary muttered there Two syllables by word of prayer. My _first_, to all the brave and proud, Who see to-morrow's sun. My _next_, with her cold and quiet cloud, To those who find their dewy shroud Before the day be done. And both together, to all bright eyes, That weep when a warrior dies."
The answer is supposed to be GOOD NIGHT; _good_ for those who survived; _night_, "with her cold and quiet cloud," falling on the dead; and a good-night to the fair dames who wept for them.
The following amusing four lines of doggerel verse were composed by Mr. Mark Lemon. They fulfill all the requirements of the Charade, and will be appreciated as a slight souvenir of that master of humour, who so long edited the pages of _Punch_:--
Old Charlie Browne, who a big rogue was reckon'd, Was brought up at my _first_ for making my _second_. He was fined, and because he no money would pay, Had to work with my _whole_ on the Queen's highway.
_Answer_: Barrow (Bar-Row).
The eminent statesman, George Canning, is responsible for our next.
Though weak to a proverb my _first_ has been reckoned, The game is so constantly made of my _second_; Yet, to hosts without number, my _whole_ bade defiance, And the world stood amazed at the beauteous alliance.
_Answer_: Waterloo (Water-Loo).
Archbishop Whately thus tersely arranges our next:--
My _first_ is equality, my _second_, inferiority; my _whole_, superiority.
_Answer_: Peerless (Peer-Less).
Charles James Fox, amidst all the cares and anxieties surrounding a great Parliamentary leader, found time to indulge his vein of pleasant humour in this fascinating pastime. The following was his composition:--
My _first_ is expressive of no disrespect, But I never call you by it when you are by; If my _second_ you still are resolved to reject, As dead as my _whole_ I shall presently lie.
_Answer_: Herring (Her-Ring).
The following miscellaneous charades will further explain the great variety of these puzzles, may in themselves afford amusement, and will be useful as models on which other charades may be formed. If, unlike the preceding, they can claim no particular literary merit, it is to be hoped that, as helping forward "Fireside Fun," they will be none the less welcome.
Ride on, ride on, thou traveller bold, And cast thy looks on _first_; See how the tempest clouds do lower, That soon in storm shall burst. Ride on, ride on, thy _second_ leads Across the lonely heath, Where gibbets tell of darksome deeds, And culprits swing beneath. Ride on, ride on, my _third_ thou art An honest one and true; Beware! a _third_ is lurking near, Who would his hands imbrue. Ride on, ride on, ride for thy life, Spur on thy faithful steed, For now my _whole_ thy second bars, Nerved for his lawless deed.
_Answer_: Highwayman.
Safe on my fair one's arm my _first_ may rest, And raise no tumult in a lover's breast. My _second_ does the want of legs supply, To those that neither creep, nor walk, nor fly. My _whole_'s a rival to the fairest toast, And when it's most admired, it suffers most.
_Answer_: Muffin (Muff-Fin).
My _first_ is near the dear bright sea, The green waves oft it lave; It glitters in the sunshine, Lies in the deep dark cave. My _second_ is quite endless, Like the love of which it tells, A bright idealisation Of Love's eternal spells. My _third_, alas! to say the truth, Suggests a vacant sty. My _whole_, a royal residence; Now, prithee, tell me why.
_Answer_: Sandringham (Sand-Ring-Ham).
My _whole_ is the very reverse of my _second_; My _first_ for refreshment is used; And those who have wasted their gifts in my _whole_, The talents they have, have abused.
_Answer_: Inaction (Inn-Action).
My _first_'s the gift of Mother Eve; My _next_'s as old as Adam. Joined, if my meaning you perceive, Your humble servant, Madame.
_Answer_: Woman (Woe-Man).
I sent my _second_ to my _first_, but many a _whole_ passed before I saw him again.
_Answer_: Season (Sea-Son).
I put up my _second_ round my legs, swept up my _first_, and put my feet on my _whole_.
_Answer_: Hearthrug (Hearth-Rug).
My _first_ should be my _second_, but I would not be my _whole_.
_Answer_: Beardless (Beard-Less).
My _first_ monopolises Dublin's busy highways; my _second_ is Love's favourite epithet; my _whole_ in drawing-rooms is always found.
_Answer_: Carpet (Car-Pet).
Britannia rules my _first_ by means of my _second_, in spite of every caprice of my _whole_.
_Answer_: Seasons (Sea-Sons).
My _first_ I hope you are, my _second_ I see you are, and my _whole_ I know you are.
_Answer_: Welcome (Well-Come).
My _whole_ is under my _second_, and surrounds my _first_.
_Answer_: Waistcoat (Waist-Coat).
My _first_ gave us early support; my _second_ is with virtues endowed; and my _whole_ is to be found near a farmhouse.
_Answer_: Milkmaid (Milk-Maid).
LETTER OR FIGURE CHARADES.
In this description of Charade a word is selected and so arranged that other words may be formed with the different letters. The same letters may be repeated; but care should be taken that every letter forming the Charade word be employed. Thus, the word "Telegraph" being chosen, may be arranged in the following manner, and the Charade be propounded as follows:--
I am a word of nine letters: ^a my 1, 2, 7 is a Chinese plant; ^b my 5, 6, 7, 1, 2 is a fireside requisite; ^c my 5, 6, 2, 7, 1 signifies vast; ^d my 5, 6, 7, 8, 4 is the name of a luscious fruit; ^e my 9, 4, 7, 1 signifies warmth; ^f my 8, 4, 7, 6 is the name of a fruit; ^g my 1, 4, 7, 6 signifies to rend; ^h my 6, 4, 7, 8 must be done with corn previously to gathering it in; ^i my 5, 7, 1, 9, 2, 6 is to collect; ^j my 8, 2, 4, 3 is to pare; ^k my 7, 3, 2 is the name of a malt liquor; ^l my 9, 7, 3, 4 means hearty; ^m my 7, 8, 4 is an animal; ^n my 9, 4, 7, 3 is to cure; ^o my 3, 4, 7, 8 is to jump; ^p my 3, 4, 5 is the name of a human limb; ^q my 2, 4, 3 the name of a fish; ^r my 1, 6, 7, 8 is the name of an article used to catch vermin; ^s my 8, 4, 7, 3 is to ring; and ^t my whole is a marvellous invention.
_Answer_: ^a Tea; ^b grate; ^c great; ^d grape; ^e heat; ^f pear; ^g tear; ^h reap; ^i gather; ^j peel; ^k ale; ^l hale; ^m ape; ^n heal; ^o leap; ^p leg; ^q eel; ^r trap; ^s peal; ^t TELEGRAPH.
One other example of Letter Charades is given, in order to show the vast number of words that can be produced from the letters of one single word:--
I am a word of eight letters: ^a my 4, 3, 5, 6, 8 is significant of eminence; ^b my 7, 5, 6, 8 is tidy; ^c my 3, 6, 4, 1 are untidy; ^d it is necessary to frequently practise my 5, 6, 8; ^e my 7, 5, 6, 3 is not distant; ^f my 1, 5, 6, 8 is a place of rest; ^g my 1, 5, 3, 4, 2 is the name of a woollen article; ^h my 4, 2, 6, 3 is accoutrements; ^i my 4, 6, 8, 5 is an entrance; ^j my 1, 5, 8 is to fix in position; ^k my 1, 2, 3, 5 is dry and withered; ^l my 1, 2, 6 is where ^m my 8, 6, 3, 1 live, and ^n where bad boys are 1, 5, 7, 8; ^o we don't like to 1, 2, 5 the man call for the ^p 3, 2, 7, 8 and ^q 3, 6, 8, 5, 1; ^r my 7, 5, 8 is used by fishers; ^s my 8, 5, 7 is a number; ^t my 7, 5, 1, 8 is built in spring; ^u my 3, 2, 1, 8 is needful; ^v my 3, 6, 8 is vermin; ^w my 6, 7, 8 is an insect; ^x my 7, 6, 4 is a useful animal; ^y my 5, 6, 3 is part of the human body; ^z my 8, 5, 6, 3, 1 is a sign of sorrow; ^aa my 1, 2, 6, 3 is to burn, and ^bb my whole is an officer of the army.
Answer: ^a Great; ^b neat; ^c rags; ^d eat; ^e near; ^f seat; ^g serge; ^h gear; ^i gate; ^i set; ^k sere; ^l sea; ^m tars; ^n sent; ^o see; ^p rent; ^q rates; ^r net; ^s ten; ^t nest; ^u rest; ^v rat; ^w ant; ^x nag; ^y ear; ^z tears; ^aa sear; ^bb SERGEANT.
VERBAL CHARADES.
A Verbal Charade is a word made up of letters, one of which is contained in each of different specified words. The following example will clearly set forth the peculiarity of this Charade. In the example, the letters forming the Charade word are printed in italics:--
My first is in la_m_b, but is not in sheep; My second in sh_a_llow, but is not in deep; My third is in ra_t_, but not in a mouse; My fourth is in v_i_lla, but not in a house; My fifth is in _l_ove, but is not in hate; My sixth in a _d_oor, but not in a gate; My seventh's in pl_a_nt, but not in a tree, And now my all a Christian name you'll see.
_Answer_: MATILDA.
Of "Verbal Charades," the above specimen will be sufficient. Puzzles of this nature are evidently easily made, and from the construction of them by using suitably contrasted words as in the above example, considerable fun and amusement may be derived.
ACROSTICS.
An "Acrostic" is a composition in verse, in which the initial letter of each line, taken in order, forms the name of a person, or of some motto which is the subject of the composition. In the expression of good wishes to friends and relatives, on birthdays and other festive occasions, or in the more ardent outpourings addressed to a loved one, the "Acrostic" finds an appropriate place; but in this collection of word puzzles we prefer to deal with that form of "Acrostic" which presents opportunities for the exercise of skill and ingenuity to the riddler. This will be found in the "Double Acrostic," and other forms to be mentioned.
The Double Acrostic may be written either in prose or verse, the condition being, that the initials and finals of the words to be guessed make two names or two words of definite and different meanings.
The Prose Double Acrostic is the more simple form, and our first example will be that known as
_The "Windsor" Double Acrostic_, written by Queen Victoria for the amusement of her children. It may interest riddlers to know that Her Majesty and the late Prince Consort found much pleasure, and were exceedingly clever in the construction of this kind of riddle:--
1. A city in Italy. 2. A river in Germany. 3. A city in the United States. 4. A town in North America. 5. A town in Holland. 6. The Turkish name for Constantinople. 7. A town in Bothnia. 8. A city in Greece. 9. A circle on the globe.
Read the _initials_ downwards, and they form a town in the North of England: the _finals_ read upwards indicates what that town is famed for.
1. N a p l e S 2. E l b E 3. W a s h i n g t o N 4. C i n c i n n a t I 5. A m s t e r d a M 6. S t a m b o u L 7. T o r n e A 8. L e p a n t O 9. E c l i p t i C
The _answer_ is--"Newcastle," "Coal Mines."
When verse is employed, it is usual to convey the sense of the whole in a couplet, preceding the description of the syllables, thus:--
'Tis murmured in the last adieu, When looks are sad, and words are few. 1. The pleasure of a lawyer's life, In deeds and wills the cause of strife. 2. Fill to the brim my drinking-horn With this, and drink to Barleycorn. 3. With glass and song until the dawn of day The roysterer stays with me, beguiling time away. 4. My fourth and last you'll find to be The title of a nobleman of high degree.
_Answer_: Fare Well. ^1 FlaW, ^2 AlE, ^3 ReveL, ^4 EarL.
An ingenious riddler has devised the following fantastic conceit upon this form of riddle, in which the letters beginning the lines spell a word, while the letters ending the lines form another word of exactly opposite meaning; and in doing this he has cleverly contrived to make this striking contrast the subject of his composition:--
U nite and untie are the same--so say yoU. N ot in wedlock, I ween, has this unity beeN; I n the drama of marriage each wandering _goûT_ T o a new face would fly--all except you and I; E ach seeking to alter the _spell_ in their scenE.
A few examples of the simple prose Double Acrostics may prove serviceable in initiating our readers into the mysteries of this word puzzle, and to this end the following are selected:--
1. A defamatory satire. 2. A town in Portugal. 3. A word poetically endowed "with its thousand ears." 4. A wood nymph. 5. Severe pain in the inward parts. 6. Name of a political party in the State. 7. A creeper. 8. A mask. 9. A title.
The initials and finals form the names and titles of two of Britain's heroes, both of whom derived fame from exploits achieved in India.
1. L i b e L 2. O p o r t O 3. R u m o u R 4. D r y a D 5. C o l i C 6. L i b e r a L 7. I v Y 8. V i z a r D 9. E s q u i r E
_Answer_: Lord Clive, Lord Clyde.
1. A city of Lombardy. 2. Signifying unfinished. 3. A famous loch in Scotland. 4. An empire of Europe. 5. What unmarried ladies long for. 6. Signifying uncovered.
The initials read downwards and the finals upwards, will reveal two celebrated poets.
1. M i l a N 2. I n c o m p l e t E 3. L o m o n D 4. T u r k e Y 5. O f f e R 6. N a k e D
_Answer_: Milton, Dryden.
1. By Apollo was my first made. 2. A shoemaker's tool. 3. An Italian patriot. 4. A tropical fruit.
The initials and finals read downwards give the name of a graceful writer of essays, and the _nom de plume_ by which he was first known to fame.
1. L y r E 2. A w L 3. M a z z i n I 4. B a n a n A
_Answer_: Lamb, Elia.
1. A writer of a book prophetic. 2. Singular, but not otherwise odd. 3. A joke that does not always end in mirth. 4. A mother-in-law deeply loved by her son's widow. 5. A law, hostile to woman's rights. 6. The name of an ancient German emperor and modern king of Greece. 7. A rare old man.
The initials and finals give the name of a scholar of profound learning, and the work by which he is best known.
1. J o e L 2. O n E 3. H o a X 4. N a o m I 5. S a l i C 6. O t h O 7. N o n a g e n a r i a N
_Answer_: Johnson, Lexicon.
ENIGMAS.
The Enigma hints the thing it would convey, In terms quite various--opposite, some say, The secret it reveals, but not so clear as day; For in dark and mazy paths it ever loves to stray.
This jingle of four lines will convey to the reader some idea of the peculiarities of this word puzzle. We may, however, add, that the modern enigma may be based upon a single object, word, or even a letter of the alphabet; and, like the conundrum, may be made to turn on the rare and unusual use of the word employed.
The most celebrated enigma, perhaps, is one formed on the letter H. It has for years been attributed to, and is included in the works of, Lord Byron, from a copy of which we extract it; but the belief is now prevalent that it was written by Miss Katherine Fanshawe.