ANONYMOUS ILLUSTRATOR, “Games with Tops, Sport of Agility and Speed,” Juvenile Miscellany, 1830, Volume 3, Issue 3

ANONYMOUS ILLUSTRATOR, “Games with Tops, Sport of Agility and Speed,” Juvenile Miscellany, 1830, Volume 3, Issue 3

These illustrations are part of an article that recommends The Boy’s Own Book, which had recently been republished in Boston, to its young audience. The Miscellany also recommends Peter Parley’s Tales, in part because they, like The Boy’s Own Book, have a variety of “pretty and sweet” colored engravings.

The facing page has two of the Miscellany’s recurring features: conundrums and an enigma. Can you solve them?

Boston Public Library, Rare Books & Manuscripts

ANONYMOUS ILLUSTRATOR, “Games with Tops, Sport of Agility and Speed,” Juvenile Miscellany, 1830, Volume 3, Issue 3

CONUNDRUMS 

1. Why is a baker like a beggar? 

2. Why is an egg done too much like an egg not done enough? 

3. Why is a horse in the stable like a tortured criminal? 

4. Why is a peach stone like a regiment? 

5. What word of five syllables is that from which if you take one syllable, no syllable remains?

6. What trade would you recommend to a short man? 

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ENIGMA. 

A word of four syllables seek till you find, 
That has in it the twenty four letters combined. 

[Answers]