Behead, I’m used by rich and poor;
In house and cottage, hut and hall,
I stand of service to them all.
Behead again, in time of need
I tell that strength and skill succeed.
No. XL.—ANAGRAMS SQUARED
Shake up the sixteen letters of these four words, and recast them into four other words:—
| S | E | E | K | ||||
| S | L | A | B | ||||
| L | E | E | K | ||||
| M | O | A | N |
These fresh words, placed on the white squares, must read alike from side to side, and zigzag from top to bottom. The first word is MASK.
24. A SINGLE ACROSTIC
Which Pope says does with eels abound?
What Scottish lake, by high hills bounded,
Is with bright birch and oak surrounded?
What stream is said in Devon to run
Into the sea near Otterton?
What bay on Cuba’s distant coast
Is justly deemed its pride and boast?
The initials of these names will show
A Scotch reformer, who, we know,
Flourished three hundred years ago.
No. XLI.—A WORD SQUARE BY ANAGRAM
Take the letters which form the words in these sixteen cells—
| A | F | A | R |
| T | A | S | K |
| S | E | A | T |
| L | E | A | L |
and recast them so that they form a perfect word square.
25. A CHARADE
So former may, or latter;
But twist my tail, and I become as mad
As any hatter!
Who never was called mister;
Cut off my tail, and instantly I can
Become a sister!
No. XLII.—QUITE A NOVELTY
There are five English words in this square:—
| c | h | e | s | s |
| g | r | e | e | d |
| c | a | n | e | s |
| r | e | a | r | s |
| c | h | e | e | r |
Can you shake up their letters, and recast them into five other words which form a perfect word square, and read alike from top to bottom and from left to right? The first fresh word is CRESS.
No. XLIII.—HIDDEN PROVERBS
Five familiar proverbs are hidden in this square of 169 letters,
| R | E | N | O | W | N | E | D | T | H | A | N | W |
| S | Y | O | U | R | C | A | K | E | A | N | D | A |
| S | T | E | T | O | B | E | F | E | A | R | H | R |
| E | A | R | K | S | S | P | O | I | L | E | A | F |
| L | E | O | O | H | E | R | S | N | T | D | V | O |
| O | T | M | O | T | L | I | N | O | H | T | E | U |
| N | O | S | C | A | L | A | G | M | E | H | I | R |
| S | N | I | Y | G | O | R | S | O | B | A | T | S |
| E | N | G | N | E | N | O | T | S | R | N | P | A |
| I | A | O | A | M | O | O | T | S | O | A | E | W |
| R | C | D | E | V | I | L | A | H | T | D | A | S |
| O | U | O | Y | N | O | I | L | D | A | E | C | A |
| T | C | I | V | R | E | H | H | T | A | H | E | Z |
The proverbs are arranged in a regular sequence.
26. RINGING SWEET CHANGES
We are familiar with the anagram that so charmingly points to the ministrations on the battle-field of Florence Nightingale—Flit on, cheering angel—but it is not so well known that her name can also be recast with an appropriate wish for her continuance in our loving memory. Can you frame this?
No. XLIV.—A CLEVER CRYPTOGRAM
A French sentence of 100 letters in twenty-two words is concealed in these 100 cells.
| D | L | A | N | N | E | S | M | P | A |
| L | I | R | D | L | E | E | M | L | H |
| I | L | U | E | E | A | I | N | T | J |
| C | U | R | S | E | M | N | T | U | P |
| E | U | É | S | N | P | R | E | O | S |
| O | L | I | É | D | X | S | M | A | N |
| U | D | E | A | E | É | I | X | N | T |
| T | E | T | P | E | D | N | U | Q | E |
| B | U | U | U | F | L | I | J | I | N |
| Z | U | E | J | I | O | E | U | N | R |
It can be deciphered by means of a cardboard mask of similar size, with circular holes cut out in some of its cells. This is placed squarely over the diagram, turned round in four successive positions. And thus the sequence of letters is found, and falls into words.
No. XLV.—SAM LOYD’S PONY PUZZLE
The instant popularity of this clever puzzle was amazing, and its sale is said to have run into millions years ago in America.
Cut the pony into six pieces, as is indicated in the picture, and rearrange these so that they show a trotting horse.
27. A REBUS
I am
a man
I rate you
a beast
You know me.
Can you put this into shape?
No. XLVI.—A CLEVER PUZZLE
Here is another of Sam Loyd’s famous trick pictures:—
Can you rearrange the parts to show jockeys and horses in racing trim?
28. A CHARADE
(With Latin parts.)
Rome’s fate my next, and one that all may dread.
Long may it be before that fate shall come,
And sever with my whole thy life’s last thread!
No. XLVII.—A NICE BALANCE
This boy is sure that if he takes his time, and watches his opportunity, he will be able to reach and secure with his mouth the sugar on the chair. Will he?
29. BURIED POETS
The names of eight famous British poets are buried in these lines—that is to say, the letters that spell the names form in their proper order parts of different words:—
Upon the moor, enchanting spot,
Whose purpled heights, by Ronald loved,
Up open to his shepherd cot.
Are flying—aye, each to his nest;
And eager make at such an hour
All haste to reach the mansions blest.
Can you dig them up?
No. XLVIII.—LEAF-FROG
Here are six little hoptoads, as our cousins across the water call them, three white and three black, going in opposite directions. A frog may jump, one, two, or three steps, but no two may be together at any time.
In how few jumps can the black frogs be seated to the left of their white brothers? It is obvious that one of the white frogs must jump first to the stool marked 1.
30. AN ENIGMA
Though it reduces one;
A sty is foul if it is there,
By it a deed is done.
31. MISSING WORDS
Studying ...... fable;
Lennie’s mother ...... the bread,
Sophy ...... the table.
“Work while you are ......,” they said
“...... while you are able!”
No. XLIX.—DIGITS IN THE FIDGETS
A very curious old print, of which this might well be the title, was picked up on a bookstall. This picture shows clever designs for two of the digits:
1
Se Pierot or Lun,
A Figure of One.
2
Again he’s to view,
A Figure of Two.
32. A CHARADE
My whole is quite sure to be in.
Divided afresh, there is reckoned
A wit, or a something that’s thin.
Prefix a letter, and, as dear as paint,
You see the name of an old English Saint.
No. L.—DIGITS IN THE FIDGETS
Here is the second pair of this queer company:—
3
Now ’tis plain you may see,
He’s a Figure of Three.
4
Behold him once more,
A Figure of Four.
33. ONE GOOD TURN DESERVES ANOTHER
To a slight noise may turn;
My second twist, a stately word,
And it will bend we learn.
34. AN ENIGMA
Then half a score.
When this is duly done
Almost ten more.
This can be good for none,
But trial sore.
No. LI.—DIGITS IN THE FIDGETS
Here is the third pair of these quaint characters:—
5
Now here we contrive
To make him a Five
6
He’s a Six here complete,
With his hands to his feet.
35. A BURIED PROVERB
A proverb of eight words is buried here:—
I fancy this Tory outcry, this weary outrageous attempt to show illegality, is as a cat chasing snow-flakes. I must be forgiven if I shun his example.
36. MISSING WORDS
Like ....... of ropes far too rotten to hold,
....... a ....... ....... and disasters
For a State that ....... not incapable masters.
The six missing words are spelt with the same seven letters.
No. LII.—DIGITS IN THE FIDGETS
Here is another pair of these quaint figures:—
7
With some alteration,
A Seven’s his station.
8
Here not being strait,
He forms a good eight.
37. A CHARADE
My second a snare,
My whole is the offspring of fancy,
Which I sent on its way
Last Valentine’s Day,
As a token of love to my Nancy.
38. A LOVER’S VOW
Shall never be my second;
It shall my all, come best, come worst,
Be surely reckoned.
No. LIII.—DIGITS IN THE FIDGETS
Here is the final pair:—
9
While drinking his Wine,
He appears like a nine.
0
Nine Forms having past
He’s a Cypher at last.
39. AN ENIGMA
I am a tree, I am a name,
Cut me in pieces with a sword,
You and your act would be the same.
Thrice you must leave the aspirate in doubt,
And use it twice if you would find me out.
40. ANSWER BY ANAGRAM
If you “resist disasters,” how may this affect one of your home circle?
No. LIV.—A FREAK OF FIGURES
1 × 8 + 1 = 9
12 × 8 + 2 = 98
123 × 8 + 3 = 987
1234 × 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 × 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 × 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 × 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 × 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 × 8 + 9 = 987654321
41. A CHARADE
When in rich hues it glows.
My next has vowels three;
My third was once a tree.
My fourth begins the year,
My whole the past makes clear.
42. ASK A SCHOOLBOY
If you tell a schoolboy that the longest side of a triangular field measures 100 rods, and that each of the other sides measures 50 rods, and ask him to estimate the value of its grass at £1 per acre, how should he answer?
43. A WHOLE LESS THAN ITS PART
Between my first and second:
Second has body, arms and face;
First is by inches reckoned.
No. LV.—SPINNING WHEELS
What is the smallest number of straight lines which can be drawn within this square so as to enclose each of the wheels within separate boundaries?
While solving this, rotate the paper in your hand, and see the wheels spin.
44. A HISTORICAL CHARADE
And at its sound the soldier springs to arms;
My second nowadays fair ladies scorn,
Though in less dainty days it oft was worn.
My whole, a battle fought on Scottish ground,
With victory the rebel forces crowned.
No. LVI.—FOUR QUARTERS AMONG FIVE
A market gardener who has a large square plot of ground wishes to reserve a fourth of it in the shape of a triangle for himself, as is shown in the diagram—
and to divide the remainder among his four sons, so that each shares equally, with plots of similar shape. How did he mark it out for them?
This appears in a less perfect form in “The Twentieth Century Standard Puzzle Book.”
No. LVII.—USE YOUR PENCIL
Here is a simple little puzzle which may amuse anyone who has paper and pencil at hand:—
Can you combine three figures similar to Fig. A with two similar to Fig. B, so that a perfect Latin cross is formed?
It is, of course, an easier matter to cut out five such pieces in paper or cardboard, and arrange them in the form required.
45. MISSING WORDS
Each ....... a ....... in versatile skill;
Each ....... so quaint, each idea so profound,
My barn’s at their service, whenever they will.
A company played there last night, but to-day
Ducks ......., and poultry have vanished away!
The missing words are spelt with the same seven letters.
No. LVIII.—SUBTLE SELFISHNESS
Four poor men were living in the cottages shown in this diagram, round a central lake well stocked with fish. Four rich men built their houses further afield, and selfishly determined to exclude their neighbours from access to the water.
How could they do this effectually without cutting themselves off from the lake?
46. AN ARITHMOREM
150 hat robe or tent
Can you form from this the name of a famous British author, treating the 150 as Roman numerals?
No. LIX.—FOR THE CHILDREN
Cut out in cardboard four pieces of the shape and size of each of the large patterns, and two pieces of the small one:—
Now arrange these ten pieces so that they form a perfect square.
47. SHEDDING LETTERS
Of all that are busy in country and town.
Take from me one letter, and yet my good name
In spite of this loss will continue the same.
Take from me two letters, and still you will see
That precisely the same in effect I shall be.
Take from me three letters, or even take more,
Yet still I continue as sound as before.
No. LX.
The dotted lines in this diagram show how the figure can be divided into nine parts by four straight cuts
which can be reunited to form a perfect cross.
48. A SHARP BOY
Tom Larkins, proud of his prize for arithmetic, challenged his sisters to show on a blackboard that if 50 is subtracted from the sum of the nine digits, the result is equal to the number obtained by dividing their sum by 3. How did he prove his point?
No. LXI.—AN EASY ONE
Take in paper or cardboard a figure made up of a square and half of a similar square, thus:—