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).