PREFACE
A taste for guessing puzzles and enigmas is coeval with the race. The early Greeks were extremely fond of such intellectual exercises, and they are found in the language of all civilized nations. One of the brightest forms of these puzzles is that of the conundrum, the answer of which is usually a play upon words similar to the pun. Each language has its own particular form of this kind of wit, but the English language, on account of its composite nature, is especially rich in such forms of wit and humor.
The compiler of this little volume has made a choice selection of conundrums from those in actual use among people belonging to refined and cultured society. They are classified under four principal heads—General Conundrums, Biblical Conundrums, Poetical Conundrums, and French Conundrums. Some of the most ingenious and interesting forms of wit will be found under each of these classes.
In addition to these conundrums, the book contains a rare collection of arithmetical puzzles. These were especially prepared for the work by a mathematician of wide reputation who has used many of them in one of his own publications. They will be found of great interest to those who have a taste for numbers and their curious combinations and results.
The collection as a whole will afford innocent recreation for the fireside and social circle, and thus contribute to the happiness of those who enjoy the higher forms of pleasure that flow from the exercise of the mind upon those subjects that require quickness of thought and a nimble wit.