This jingle of four lines will convey to the reader some idea of the peculiarities of this word puzzle. We may, however, add, that the modern enigma may be based upon a single object, word, or even a letter of the alphabet; and, like the conundrum, may be made to turn on the rare and unusual use of the word employed.
The most celebrated enigma, perhaps, is one formed on the letter H. It has for years been attributed to, and is included in the works of, Lord Byron, from a copy of which we extract it; but the belief is now prevalent that it was written by Miss Katherine Fanshawe.
"'Twas whisper'd in heaven, 'twas mutter'd in hell,
And echo caught faintly the sound as it fell;
On the confines of earth 'twas permitted to rest,
And the depths of the ocean its presence confess'd.
'Twill be found in the sphere when 'tis riven asunder,
'Tis seen in the lightning, and heard in the thunder;
'Twas allotted to man from his earliest breath,
It assists at his birth, and attends at his death;