Fig. 19.—The Prisoners' Release Puzzle.
As a finish to the Mechanical Puzzles, we will give the key to the world-renowned
HAMPTON COURT MAZE.
Upon entering the maze, turn to the right; afterwards, whenever there is a choice between the left and right, turn to the left, and the centre will soon be reached. Reverse the process in coming out.
ARITHMETICAL PUZZLES.
Under this heading we propose to give some arithmetical puzzles, to speak of the power of different numbers, to show some of the curious combinations of which numbers are capable, and generally to give such examples as our space will admit to explain how the science of numbers may be made to do service for our amusement.
Among the most popular of number puzzles are the
AMERICAN PUZZLES "15" AND "34,"
which have been christened "Boss." The materials of the puzzles are very simple, a description that may indeed be applied to all the amusements dealt with in this section. The puzzles, as purchased, consist of a square box of sixteen small wooden cubes, numbered from 1 to 16. The box of cubes may be purchased in the streets for a very trifling sum, or it may be obtained in the toy-shops in a more elaborate form, but still at a small cost. The popularity of the game may be guessed from the statement made by a New York toy-dealer to the effect that in one day he disposed of no less than 230 gross of a cheap variety. In London, street toy-vendors by the score sold them all day long for weeks together when they were first introduced, and a leading toy-dealer in the fashionable neighbourhood of Regent Street says the number sold retail from his shop daily was enormous. Their popularity in other countries is equally great.