Page 126—Riddles And Catches
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Riddles And Catches Which is the greatest peer that England ever produced? Shakespeare. What is the grandest verse in existence? The universe. What is the greatest stand ever made for civilisation? The inkstand. What is that which, although black itself, enlightens the world? Ink. What is that which is full of knowledge, and yet knows nothing? A book-case. What is that which you and every living man have seen, but can never see again? Yesterday. What is that which no man ever did see, which never was, but always is to be? To-morrow. What thing is that that is lower with a head than without one? A pillow. What volume is sure to bring tears to your eyes? A volume of smoke. What is that which has form without substance, and size without weight? A shadow. Name me and you break me. Silence. What is that which renders life inert, and yet restores it? Sleep. Formed long ago, yet made today, Employed while others sleep, What few would like to give away, Nor any wish to keep. A bed. What is that which flies high, flies low, wears shoes, and has no feet? Dust. What is that of which the common sort is best? Sense. What is that which we often return yet never borrow? Thanks. Name that bird which, if you do not, you must die? Swallow. What is that which you cannot hold for ten minutes although it is "as light as a feather?" Your breath. What is that which never was seen, felt, nor heard, never was and never will be, and yet has a name? Nothing. What is that which Adam never saw, never possessed, and yet gave two to each of his children? Parents. What is that we wish for, and when we have obtained we never know we have it? Sleep. When is it that a person ought not to keep his temper? When it is a bad one. What is yours, and is used by others more than yourself? Your name. Can a man's pocket be empty when he's got something in it? Yes: when he's got a big hole in it. What is better than presence of mind in a railway accident? Absence of body. Melbourne, Hotham, Collingwood, Prahran, Richmond, Emerald Hill, and Cole's Book Arcade, all begins with an A. Why is a penny like a black cat at Cole's Book Arcade? Because it has a head and a tail. |
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Why is Cole's Book Arcade like a
Crocodile? Because it can't jump over the moon. Why is Cole's Book Arcade like a learned man? Because it is well stocked with literature. What is that which goes every morning at eight o'clock from the Post Office to Cole's Book Arcade, and every evening at six o'clock from the Parliament House to Cole's Book Arcade, without moving? Bourke Street. How many sides are there to Cole's Book Arcade? Four. 1st, the right side; 2nd, the left side; 3rd, the outside; and 4th, the inside, where the 80,000 sorts of books are. What are the oldest tops in the world? Mountain tops. Which is the oldest table in the world? The multiplication table. What kind of ship has two mates and no captain? A courtship. What is that which is lengthened by being cut at both ends? A ditch. What is that which one can divide, but cannot see where it has been divided? Water. What is that which gives a cold, cures a cold, and pays the doctor? A draft. What is the worst kind of fare for a man to live on? Warfare. What vice is it that the greatest criminals shun? Ad-vice. What is that which is often found where it is not? Fault. What is that which we often catch hold of, and yet never see? A passing remark. What is that which is often brought to the table, often cut, but never eaten? A pack of cards. What is that which is full of holes and yet holds water? A sponge. What window in your house is like the sun? The skylight. What word is it of five letters, of which two being removed one only one will remain? St-one. What is that from which if the whole be taken some will remain? The word "wholesome". What word contains all the vowels in their proper order? Facetious. How would you express in one word having met a doctor of medicine? Metaphysician. Why is a nobleman like a book? Because he has a title. Why is the alphabet like the mail? Because it consists of letters. Why is a book like a tree? Because it has many leaves. |
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Mechanical Advertisement The idea of a machine to go by perpetual motion is perpetual nonsense. Multitudes of boys and men have wasted much valuable time in trying to find it, but they never can, as it is contrary to natural laws, and therefore impossible; but one certainty of the future is, that a million useful flying machines will flit hither and thither; and one certainty of the present is, that while Cole's Book Arcade contains 80,000 sorts of books, not a single person has yet been able to come to it for a supply in a flying machine.—Laggard inventors, think of this! N.B.—Cole once invented a flying machine, but it wouldn't work! |
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