150.Arithmetical Puzzle.—This consists of six slips of paper or card, on which are written numbers as expressed in the following columns—
150.Arithmetical Puzzle.—This consists of six slips of paper or card, on which are written numbers as expressed in the following columns—
The slips being thus prepared, a person is to think of any one of the numbers which they contain, and to giveto the expounder of the question those slips in which the number thought of occurs. To discover this number, the expounder has nothing to do but to add together the numbers at the top of the columns put into his hand. Their sum will express the number thought of.
Example.—Thus, suppose we think of the number 14. We find that this number is in three of the slips, viz., those marked B, C, and D, which are therefore given to the expounder, who, on adding together 2, 4, and 8, obtains 14, the number thought of.
The trick may be varied in the following manner: Instead of giving to the expounder the slips containing the number thought of, these may be kept back, and those in which the number does not occur be given. In this case, the expounder must add together, as before, the numbers at the top of the columns, and subtract their sum from 63. The remainder will be the number thought of.
The slips containing the columns of numbers are usually marked with letters on the back, and not above the columns, as we have expressed them. This renders the deception more complete, as the expounder, knowing beforehand the number at the top of each column, has only to examine the letters at the back of the slips given him, when he performs the problem without looking at the numbers, and thus renders the trick more extraordinary.
151.
A pair of little quadrupeds,Transpose them, and you’ll findThe lords of ocean, or the aidsFor disciplining mind;Or that which cheers the midnight hour,Or gilds the flagstaff high;Now test your transposition power,And for the answer try.
A pair of little quadrupeds,Transpose them, and you’ll findThe lords of ocean, or the aidsFor disciplining mind;Or that which cheers the midnight hour,Or gilds the flagstaff high;Now test your transposition power,And for the answer try.
A pair of little quadrupeds,
Transpose them, and you’ll find
The lords of ocean, or the aids
For disciplining mind;
Or that which cheers the midnight hour,
Or gilds the flagstaff high;
Now test your transposition power,
And for the answer try.
152. When is a chair like a rich lady’s dress?
153. Onep, onei, foura’s, twor’s, twos’s, twol’s—what do they make, and who has made a fortune by them?
154. What odd number will give, on being divided, a half clear of a fraction?
155.
I’m in the book, but not on any leaf;I’m in the mouth, but not in lip or teeth;I’m in the atmosphere, but never in the air;I wait on every one, but never on a pair;I am with you wherever you may go;And every thing you do I’m sure to know;Though when you did it I should not be there,Yet when ’twas done, you’d find me in the chair.
I’m in the book, but not on any leaf;I’m in the mouth, but not in lip or teeth;I’m in the atmosphere, but never in the air;I wait on every one, but never on a pair;I am with you wherever you may go;And every thing you do I’m sure to know;Though when you did it I should not be there,Yet when ’twas done, you’d find me in the chair.
I’m in the book, but not on any leaf;
I’m in the mouth, but not in lip or teeth;
I’m in the atmosphere, but never in the air;
I wait on every one, but never on a pair;
I am with you wherever you may go;
And every thing you do I’m sure to know;
Though when you did it I should not be there,
Yet when ’twas done, you’d find me in the chair.
156. What is the difference between Joan of Arc and Noah’s ark?
157.
I am composed of seventeen letters.My 4, 6, 10, is what we all do.“ 5, 8, 14, 11, is a great part of the body.“ 1, 13, 9, 15, is the name of a fish.“ 7, 16, 2, 10, is a part of speech.“ 13, 8, 3, is the name of a fowl.“ 6, 15, 14, is a girl’s name.“ 17, 6, 10, 15, is very useful to vessels.“ 13, 6, 12, is a personal pronoun.My whole is what we may all expect if we live.
I am composed of seventeen letters.My 4, 6, 10, is what we all do.“ 5, 8, 14, 11, is a great part of the body.“ 1, 13, 9, 15, is the name of a fish.“ 7, 16, 2, 10, is a part of speech.“ 13, 8, 3, is the name of a fowl.“ 6, 15, 14, is a girl’s name.“ 17, 6, 10, 15, is very useful to vessels.“ 13, 6, 12, is a personal pronoun.My whole is what we may all expect if we live.
I am composed of seventeen letters.
My 4, 6, 10, is what we all do.
“ 5, 8, 14, 11, is a great part of the body.
“ 1, 13, 9, 15, is the name of a fish.
“ 7, 16, 2, 10, is a part of speech.
“ 13, 8, 3, is the name of a fowl.
“ 6, 15, 14, is a girl’s name.
“ 17, 6, 10, 15, is very useful to vessels.
“ 13, 6, 12, is a personal pronoun.
My whole is what we may all expect if we live.
158. My first is an instrument, which, though small, has more power than any monarch on earth. It is the lover’s friend and the poet’s pride; yet has overthrown kingdoms, ruined reputations, set folks together by the ears, and caused more destruction than plagues, pestilence, or famine. My second, though not quite so mischievous, is very destructive when in improper hands, and my whole, though employed against my first, is deemed its friend and improver.