ANSWERS TO PUZZLES.

1.

The rose shall cease to blow,

The eagle turn a dove,

The stream shall cease to flow,

Ere I will cease to love.

The sun shall cease to shine,

The world shall cease to move,

The stars their light resign,

Ere I will cease to love.

2. Short shoes and long corns to the enemies of freedom.

3. The rope-maker.

4. Because they can not be got off without a bow (beau).

5. Because he stops at the sound of wo.

6. One takes the dish with the egg.

7. One, after which his stomach is not empty.

8. The smallest.

9. The first geometrical puzzle is solved in this way—

The second puzzle is solved in this way—

The different colors represent the several sons’ portions.

10.

The tiger couches in the wood,

And waits to shed the traveler’s blood;—

So couch we.

We spring upon him to supply

What men unto our wants deny;

And so springs he.

11.

Work, work, work!

My labor never flags;

And what are its wages? A bed of straw,

A crust of bread—and rags,

That shattered roof—this naked floor,

A table—a broken chair,

And a wall so blank, my shadow I thank

For sometimes falling there!

With fingers weary and worn,

With eyelids heavy and red,

A woman sat in unwomanly rags,

Plying her needle and thread.

Stitch! stitch! stitch!

In poverty, hunger, and dirt,

And still with a voice of dolorous pitch.

She sang the “Song of the Shirt.”

12. A pack of cards.

13. Striking.

14. Because words are passing between them.

15. Footman.

16. Because his is all net profit.

17. Because he is surrounded with dues (dews).

18. Adam.

19. Heroine.

20. Spark.

21. Tear.

22. Because it is a bad habit.

23. Because it is felt.

24. Because it is a resting-place for the traveler.

25.

There’s a grim hearse horse,

In a jolly round trot,

To the churchyard a poor man is going, I wot.

The road it is rough,

And the hearse has no springs,

And hark to the dirge the sad driver sings—

“Rattle his bones over the stones,

He’s only a pauper, whom nobody owns.”

26.

Of all the birds that e’er I did see,

The owl is the strangest in every degree,

For all the long day she sits in a tree,

And when the night comes, away flies she,

To whit-to-whoo.

To whom drinkest thou? Sir Noodles, to you.

This song is well sung, I make you a vow,

And he is a knave that aileth now.

Nose, nose, and who gave thee that jolly red nose?

Cinnamon and ginger, nutmeg and cloves,

And they gave me my jolly red nose.

27. To ashes.

28. Short.

29. Shakespeare.

30. Time.

31. Wallace.

32. Because they are often toasted.

33. Because he is always for getting.

34. I, ser.

35. Because he has nothing to boot.

36.

Full five hundred years I’ve hung,

In my old grey turret high,

And many a different theme I’ve sung,

As the hours went winging by.

I’ve pealed the chimes of a wedding morn;

Ere night I’ve sadly tolled to say

That the maid was coming love lorn,

And here I end my lay.

37.

The joyful can sing on spirit wings

Each morn his lofty height,

In rapt’rous notes he sweetly sings,

And hails th’ approaching light;

But I from grief no solace know,

No portal from the night,

All joys to me insipid grow,

Afford me no delight.

38. Because it is often tolled (told).

39. Your name.

40. The letter M.

41. Forty-eight feet.

42. In solving this question it is clear that to pick up the first stone and put it into the basket, the person must walk two yards, one in going for the stone and another in returning with it; that for the second stone he must walk four yards, and so on increasing by two as far as the hundredth, when he must walk two hundred yards, so that the sum total will be the product of 202 multiplied by 50, or 10,100 yards. If any one does not see why we multiply 202 by 50 in getting the answer, we refer him to his arithmetic.

43. Hour-glass.

44. Pen-man-ship.

45.

There was a man who was Nott born,

His father was Nott born before him;

He did Nott live, he did Nott die,

And his epitaph is Nott o’er him.

46. Because it is in firm (infirm).

47. To keep his head warm.

48.

Hark! the muffled drum sounds the last march of the brave,

The soldier retreats to his quarters, the grave,

Under Death, whom he owns his Commander-in-chief,

No more he’ll turn out with the ready relief;

But in spite of Death’s terrors or cannon’s alarms,

When he hears the last trump he’ll stand to his arms!

Farewell! brother soldiers, in peace may you rest,

And light lie the turf on each veteran breast,

Until that review when the souls of the brave

Shall behold the chief ensign, fair mercy’s flag, wave;

Then, freed from Death’s terrors and hostile alarms,

When we hear the last trump, we’ll stand to our arms.

49. Doctor Long expects Dr. Short to explain the misunderstanding between them.

50.

To you who live single, if this at all trouble you,

My first comes in kindness, commanding to double you.

And again, it will double you, if, like a clown,

You lift high your sole, and bend your head down;

Or, cut it in twain, two V’s will appear,

And V counting five, both make ten it is clear.

My second, alas! comes shrouded in gloom,

It is O, which makes wo, the sinner’s sad doom.

Now see what a change comes over the scene,

If my third, which is O, be added again.

Now ’tis woo—and what bachelor’s heart does not beat,

To woo a sweet damsel, to keep warm his feet;

To cheer by her smiles his lone hours—and thus

Escape, by good fortune, the bachelor’s curse!

My fourth and my last, as I’ll go on to tell,

Is nought more or less than a capital L.

Now L being fifty, will even divide

One Hundred, or teachers and books have all lied.

Now examine with care, and plain you will see

That to unlock a secret, an L is the key;

For woo, with L added, is changed into wool,

Whether worn on a sheep, or an African’s skull.

Whether made into clothing, for bed or for body,

For “sage politician” or some other noddy.

It is used, the world over, in commerce and trade;

But its last use, I trow, was to make a charade.

51. SONG OF THE SUN.

Not a rose that blooms,

Not a ring that assumes

The rainbow’s beautiful front,

But’s indebted to me,

As ye plainly see,

For the scent or splendor on’t.

The moon and the stars

That around ye roll,

The systems ye can not discern,

Are warmed by my rays,

And partake of the soul

And the spirit that in me burn.

And nothing throws back with such splendor my rays,

As the sea’s mighty mirror in midsummer days.

52. And like the temple of this body, the cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces, the solemn temples, the great globe itself shall fall, and, like this insubstantial vision faded, leave not a rack behind.

53. Letter I.

54. When it is a cutter.

55. Letter N.

56. Five when peeled.

57. He is a bit of a buck.

58. His daughter.

59. It matures by falling dew.

60. Ben-ha-dad.

61. Because it is never peeled (pealed) but once.

62. Because it is every year doubling (Dublin).

63. Tobacco.

64. The nose.

65. Because they have so many panes (pains).

66. J’ai grand appétit. Allons souper.

67. Water.

68. Ice.

69. Those that come after T.

70.

’Twas at night, when the bell had tolled twelve,

And poor Susan was laid on her pillow,

In her ear whispered some fleeting elf—

“Your love is now tossed on the billow”

Far, far at sea.

All was dark as she woke out of breath—

Not an object her fears could discover;

All was still as the portals of death,

Save fancy, which painted her lover

Far, far at sea.

So she whispered a prayer, closed her eyes,

But the phantom still haunted her pillow,

While in terror she echoed his cries,

As struggling he sunk on the billow

Far, far at sea.

71.

Lightly tread—’tis holy ground:

Countless dead hark, hark around;

Angel guards their watches keep,

While frail mortals sink to sleep:

And the moon, with feeble rays,

Gilds the stream that bubbling plays,

And murmurs, as soft it flows,

Music meet for lovers’ woes.

72. Eye.

73. Canister.

74. Forte tu, atrox tenes, forti Sexto Fortinato.

75. The forceps pinches, the awl punches.

76.

At the peaceful midnight hour,

Every sense and every power

Chainéd lies in downy sleep;

Then our careful watch we keep,

While the wolf, in nightly prowl,

Bays the moon with hideous howl;

Closed are bars, a vain resistance;

Shrieks are raised, but no assistance;

Silence! or you’ll meet your fate;

Your keys, jewels, money, plate.

Locks, bolts, and bars soon fly asunder,

Then to rifle, rob, and plunder.

77. Ad-here.—In-here.—Co-here.

78. Because only the bony part is left.

79. He is known by his axe (acts).

80. XII., that is, a cross two i’s (across two eyes).

81. Because he kneads (needs) it most.

82. The letter R.

83.

The coward skulking round a house,

Is like a mouse-trap as you see,

For that will puzzle any mouse,

And pusillanimous is he.

84. Green grass is like a mouse, because the cattle eat it (cat’ll eat it).

85.

It is not aloud (allowed).

Private earing (privateering) is unlawful.

86. Salt-cellar.

87. Because it is not currant (current).

88.

Glorious Apollo from on high beheld us

Wand’ring to find a temple for his praise;

Sent Polyhymnia hither to shield us

While we ourselves such a temple might raise.

Thus then, Guards, hands and hearts joining,

Sing we in harmony Apollo’s praise.

Here every generous sentiment awaking,

Music inspiring our mutual joy,

Each social bumper giving and partaking,

Song and good cheer our time employ.

89. To let you know he is coming.

90. Because of the sand which is (sandwiches) under your feet.

91. Mag-pie.

92. His father was translated.

93. But-ton.

94. A shoe.

95.

On! by the spur of valor goaded,

Pistols primed and rifles loaded,

Courage strikes on hearts of steel.

While each star through the dark gloom of night,

Lends a clear and cheering light,

Who a doubt or fear can feel?

Now through woods like serpents creeping,

Then on our prey like lions leaping,

Calvert to the onset leads us.

Let the weary traveler dread us.

Struck with terror and amaze;

While our swords in lightning pouring,

Thunder to our rifles roaring.

96. A bell.

97. cbd hours to go down.
dc+c
2a average rate of rowing.
b
c+b hours to go up.
dc+c
cb time up.
c+d
db time down.
c+d
2a miles per hour.
b

98. The hounds gain 6 rods in every 21. They must therefore run as many times 21 rods as 6 will go into 96.
Therefore 96 ÷ 6 = 16. 21 = 336 rods.

99.

100. He wrote s before it, making it six.

101. Live, evil, vile, Levi, veil.

102.

When the rosy dawn awaking

Paints with gold the verdant lawn;

Flies, on the wings of time disporting,

Sip the sweets and taste the dawn.

Warbling birds the day proclaiming,

Singing sweet the lively strain;

They forsake their leafy dwelling,

To secure the golden grain.

See; content the humble gleaner

Picks the scattered ears that fall.

Nature, all her children viewing,

Kindly bounteous cares for all.

103. Musk-melon, if your second is turned inside out; thus, lem-on.

104. Merry’s Museum.

105. “Now before you.”

106. Pat-ten.

107 Because it is far fetched and full of nonsense.

108. Make an impression.

109.

Sweet are the roses that bloom by yon fountain,

And sweet are the cowslips that spangle the grove,

And sweet is the breeze that blows o’er the mountains;

But sweeter by far is the lad that I love.

I’ll weave a gay and fresh blooming garland,

With lilies and roses,

And sweet, blooming posies,

To give to the lad my heart tells me I love.

May the brow of the brave never want a wreath of laurel.

110. May the trees of liberty flourish round the globe, and every man partake of its fruit. May the wings of love never lose a feather.

111. Prescription—proscription.

112. Bar-gain.

113. 1,600 ÷ 32 = 50. 502 × 16 = 40,000.

114. Tanner.

115. Because it makes a man go.

116. Hand-el.

117.

Wave, thou royal purple stream,

Gilded by the solar beam

In my goblet sparkling rise,

Cheer my heart, and glad mine eyes.

My spirit mounts on fancy’s wing,

Anointing me a merry king.

While I live, I’ll lave my pipe.

When I’m dead and gone away

Let my drinking partner say

A month he reigned, but that was ripe.

118.

No gems which pluméd fortune wears,

No drop that hangs from beauty’s ears,

Nor the bright stars which night’s blue vault adorn,

Nor rising suns that gild the vernal morn,

Shine with such lustre as the tear that breaks

For other’s woe down virtue’s manly cheeks.

119. Frankfort-on-the-Maine.

120. Rib-band.

121. 400 ÷ 16 = 25. √25 = 5—five seconds.

122. Because they have arms and legs.

123.

{√(602 - 302) = 51.96152
√(602 - 402) = 44.72136		}

96.68288. Ans.

124. 1,785.

125.

’Tis good to tread the churchyard’s walks,

And mark the graves on either side;

Or where the rough old sexton talks

With sheer contempt of human pride;

To contemplate the scattered bones

That meet the eye so often there;

To read the inscription on the stones,

And think what fleeting things we are.

’Tis good at twilight’s sober hour,

To sit on some neglected tomb,

And dwell on death’s all-startling power,

And muse upon our certain doom.

Because these thoughts are sure to win

The spirit more or less from sin.

126. Aching teeth are bad tenants.

127. Patch-work.

128. A draft.

129. It is good for nothing till it is cracked.

130. When his brother Jacob shaved him.

131. Because they blacken the face of Washington.

132. The figure 8.

133. Certainly;—Webster says: “spontaneous is applicable to animals destitute of reason.”

134.

A living sinner’s transgression procured damnation.

A dying Redeemer’s passion purchased salvation.

135.

Early to bed, and early to rise,

Makes a man healthy,

Wealthy, and wise.

136.

Music awakes

The native voice of undissembledjoy,

And thick around the woodland hymns arise.

Roused by the cock, the soon-clad shepherd

Leaves his mossy cottage, where with peace

He dwells, and from the crowded folds in

Order drives his flock, to taste the verdure of

The morn.

137. Friday.

138. W.

139. He is an earnest bee-leaver.

140. A portrait.

141. He carries his own trunk.

142. The oak—(a-corn).

143. Ful-ton.

144. Harrow.

145. They are four-sighted (fore-sighted).

146. Because the cart is before the horse.

147. Harrow.

148. A book.

149. Because it makes ire fire.

150. (Arithmetical Puzzle.)

151. Rats—tars—arts—stars.

152. When it is sat-in.

153. Sarsaparilla. Dr. Townsend.

154. XI divided VI gives six.
ɅI

IX divided in the same way, gives four.

155. The letter O.

156. The one was Maid of Orleans, the other was made of chittim wood.

157. Sunshine and shadow.

158. Pen-knife.

159. (Leap Frog.)

160. Bed-ford.

161. C—R (Seer).

162. I ate nothing Monday.

163.

164. Be not too wise, nor over nice, for you see what a fool you be.

165. The shoe—U.

166. He is fed from a loft.

167. He is bride-led.

168. For every grain they give a peck.

169. Pondicherry.

170. One ought to wait for tea.

171.

SUN. MON. TUES. WED. THUR. FRI. SAT.
a b ca d g a k na e la h oa f pa i m
d e fb e h b l ob f mb i pb d nb g k
g h ic m p c f ic g nc d kc h lc e o
k l mf k o d h md i oe m ne i kd l p
n o pi l n e g ph k pf g lg m oh f n

172. Bible.

173. 125.

174. Because without it life is a lie, or it makes life a lie.

175. They secure (seek your) money.

176. Fowl, owl, wolf.

177. Mar, ram, arm.

178. It breaks the kernel (colonel)

179. Windmill.

180. Always in flour.

181. Adullam (a dull lamb).

182. The chin-chilla (chilly).

183. She is miss-taken and miss-led.

184. Because three scruples make a dram.

185. The ball-room.

186. When it back-bites.

187. Co-nun-drum

188. Log-book.

189. Hannah-hand

190.

It is but D sent, as you see,

If you 500 send,

But truly XL lent ’twill be,

When you the 40 lend.

191. A wheel.

192. He presses them with a goose.

193. The moon.

194. One that needs darning.

195. Ann, sir.

196. Elliptical—a-lip-tickle.

197. B-o-y.

198. Mate—(eat-meat-at-tea)

199. In-co-he-rent.

200. Amen, name, mean, mane.

201. Grog-shop.

202. Vela, vale, veal, lave.

203. Not I.

204. In court-ship, as marry-ners.

205. Light-house.

206. Sureti-ship.

207. 5 and 7.

208. Candle-stick.

209. Me-lo-di-ous.

210. The one is careless and happy, the other is hairless and cappy.

211. IX—cross the I, it makes XX.

212. Lie.

213. Pea-cock.

214. Because it pierces hearts.

215. Child-hood.

216. In earnest (in her nest).

217. Friend-ship.

218. Cayenne (K. N.).

219. He is known by his bark.

220. They are C D.

221. Good for nothing.

222. Neva, nave, vane.

223. Shake-speare.

224. Because it makes Pa-pay.

225. It has eyes behind.

226. Pea-cock.

227. 7 and 5.

228. In the ground.

229. From the tree.

230. Because she shows her flowing sheets.

231. Moon and stars.

232. Meat (eat-at-mat-team).

233. The tiller.

234. The lion, because he roars, and has a flowing mane (main).

Leviathan, because he swallows up the rivers.

235. The bull, because he bellows.

The whale, because he blows.

236. The ass, because he brays.

Dr. Pott’s horse, because a Pott he carries.

237. The rooster, because he picks and crows.

238. 1, 3, 9, 27, are the weights of the several pieces.

239. A tur-key.

240. It is generally patronized by gobblers.

241. In the ground.

242. He flourishes his fan behind him.

243. 1st, 7.36. 2d, 9.56. 3d, 23.08.

244. C-and-y—candy.

245. Because we can not make them here (hear).

246. A steel pen.

The weapon’s a steel pen, I think,

Unless I’ve made a blunder;

When Hatchet dips it in the ink,

I’d like to stand from under.

“Old lady”—quotha! think of that.

My goodness—heart-alive!

I tell you, Mr. Hatchet—flat!

I’m scarcely sixty-five.

247. He has many cast-off bows (beaux).

248. He is a well re(a)d man.

249. 804,247,552 square inches.

250. Because c-and-y spell candy.

251. The eye.

252.

SIX IX XL

IX X L

———————

S I X

253. Because it is a certain tie (certainty).

254. 8, 12, 20, 5.

255. To the gallows.

256. The earth and firmament.

257. Because he makes faces and busts (bursts).

258. Because they “devoured widows’ houses.”

259. Pond-i-cherry.

260.

Cross you are, cross you be,

Cross, too cross, you are for me.

261. Because the lions could not eat him.

262. (See-saw.)

263. Hi-lo.

264. It places the present (see) before the past (saw).

265. Because there is a b in both.

266. Obscurity, in which may be found sour, city, sty, sot, buoy, tour, story, orb, orbit, rust, rut, bust, crust.

267. He was 30 years old.

268. Exe-te-r.

269. (Deaf and dumb alphabet.)

270. When they are fingered.

271. Day and night.

272. Camp-bell.

273. The letter M.

274. If he told the truth, he lied; if he lied, he told the truth.

He lied. If he did lie, he would not say so.

275. He is a ma’ stiff.

276. He chases the deer (dear) and is never chased (chaste).

277. Because he is a pup-pet.

278. He must be born on the 29th of February.

279. 56 quarts difference.

280. 99 9⁄ 9

281. Lightning.

282. $15, and boots.

283. Against his will.

284. A whipping.

285. 16½ = a rod.

286. He is about to fall.

287. Forty horses have 80 fore legs.

288.

Come, ye ingenious ones, this riddle guess,

It is not difficult, you will confess.

What is that number which, if you divide,

You then will nothing leave on either side?

The number -8-.

289. The alphabet.

290. N I N E.

291. The year, 12 months, 30 days, night and morning, black and white.

292.

293. Herschell (her shell).

294. It is in a good frame of mind.

295. ’Twas the fir ma’ meant.

296. They are dissolved in light.

297. Newman Goodman went to the tailor to have his coat mended.

298. Too (2) great ease before marriage, too little ease after it.

299. A jail bird.

300. IX—SIX.

301. He is an imp over a shed. (Impoverished.)

302. They leave them out.

303.

I—O—A

Insert W, it makes Iowa.

“ T, “ Iota.

304. Are—A-re-a.

305. Leg-horn.

306. Because it can’t climb a tree.

307. Mr. Dashwood, being at the point of death, sent for his friends and relatives. They sent for Dr. Childs who inclosed a few lines to Dr. Barnes and imp-lo-red his assistance. But before he arrived, the invalid died, and the undertaker was sent for.

308. Beat a base drum, or grind a hand-organ.

309. Get up a brawl, or an alarm of fire.

310. (Christmas tree.)

311. Dry-den.

312. A Cole-ridge.

313. Long-fellow.

314. A Dry-den.

315. Their king was A-gag.

316. The adder.

317. A-hi-tub.

318. The last two (money).

319. The stoop.

320. When it is a-jar.

321. They are without doors.

322. A-gate.

323.

Read down and up,

And you will see

How I love you,

If you love me.

324. It is sold.

325. He is a little better.

326. It is due.

327. It is a letter of blood.

328. The letter A.

329. He gives it up.

330. They are the candid 8 (candidate) of their party.

331. Down in the mouth.

332. Descended from A-ram.

333. There are more rakes than beaux there.

334. Under a pear (pair) tree.

335. Under a hop-vine.

336. Because he is a deer.

337. The letter S.

338. First, they were not inclined to prey, and afterwards they were raven-ous.

339. He rifles the deer (dear).

340. One child from two parents makes 3.

Two children from two parents make 4.

341. Cab-in.

342. 2 and 2

343. The ploughshare.

344. When he “gives it up.”

345. A reel.

346. The shade on the dial.

347. They are the grub that makes the butter fly.

348. It is his heir (air).

349. They are more airy.

350.

The boy can see his shadow,

The shadow can’t see him.

351. It has breathed into it the breath of life.

352. A soap-bubble.

353. A clock.

354. He gets wet.

355.

It would make it a lie.

It would make Italy.

356. He carries his reins (heart) in his hand.

357. He may keep a watch, but he can’t tell the time of day.

358.

The gong makes a din,

The cook makes a dinner.

359.

One-sided, sir.

Once I did, sir.

360. Cloak—oak—coal—lock.

361. Wood.

362. 301.

363. In the Eastern wars, when elephants were employed.

364. Hat—hate—hatch.

365. Chair.

366. A step farther.

367.

The one close their eyes,

The other eye their clothes.

368. A-dri-atic.

369.

The letter B.

Of ell, it makes bell.

“ ill, “ bill.

“ end “ bend.

“ in “ bin.

“ rags “ brags.

“ old “ bold.

“ one “ bone.

370. He is always on the spot.

371.

The dog worries him.

The groom curries him;

The dog bites him,

The groom bits him.

372.

The letter A.

It changed Job to Joab.

made Ner – near.

“ her – hear.

“ cot – coat.

“ gin – gain.

“ cub – Cuba.

373. Give him Merry’s Museum.

374. Let him subscribe for Merry’s Museum, and always pay in advance.

375. It is always expected with interest.

376.

The “lap” is the place where infants repose,

And “tea” is a plant that we use;

To “Parley” ’s to treat by word, I suppose,

And “pear” is a fruit we all choose.

Many youth like “to eat,” I’m afraid, beyond measure,

And part of the head is the “ear,”

And what is more common than, when we feel pleasure,

Or grief, to give vent to a “tear.”

“Peter Parley” ’s distinguished I’m sure as a writer,

And welcom’d by all with a smile;

And surely no book is a greater exciter

Than this, which goes many a mile.

377. It is cheap at any price.

378. Merry’s Museum.

379. It instructs and amuses children.

380.

The one suffered wantonly;

The other from want only.

381. Her-ring.

382. Because it contains valuable articles, wood-cuts, etc.

ROBERT MERRY’S
SECOND
BOOK OF PUZZLES.

EDITED BY ROBERT MERRY.

NEW YORK:

THOMAS O’KANE, PUBLISHER,

130 NASSAU STREET.