Though ——— secure and ——— in his cage,Our Polly, when ———, will fly into a rage.
Though ——— secure and ——— in his cage,Our Polly, when ———, will fly into a rage.
Though ——— secure and ——— in his cage,Our Polly, when ———, will fly into a rage.
Each missing word has the same six letters.
Solution
All courtly honours are but lightAs grains that from a ——— fly;And he who wears the ——— brightMay haply in a ——— die.
All courtly honours are but lightAs grains that from a ——— fly;And he who wears the ——— brightMay haply in a ——— die.
All courtly honours are but lightAs grains that from a ——— fly;And he who wears the ——— brightMay haply in a ——— die.
The missing words are spelt with the same six letters.
Solution
I’d rather from a ——— eat,I give my sacred word,Than dine in slums where ——— meet,And ——— pedlars herd.
I’d rather from a ——— eat,I give my sacred word,Than dine in slums where ——— meet,And ——— pedlars herd.
I’d rather from a ——— eat,I give my sacred word,Than dine in slums where ——— meet,And ——— pedlars herd.
Each missing word has the same six letters.
Solution
In the drawer of a cabinet that had belonged to my grandmother I came upon an old sampler, beautifully worked in scarlet cross-stitch. Its very curious legend runs asfollows:—
Solution
A much married ....... of CadizOnce ....... some riotous ladies.To ....... him they chuckedA ......., but he ducked,Which ....... these rude ladies of Cadiz.
A much married ....... of CadizOnce ....... some riotous ladies.To ....... him they chuckedA ......., but he ducked,Which ....... these rude ladies of Cadiz.
A much married ....... of CadizOnce ....... some riotous ladies.To ....... him they chuckedA ......., but he ducked,Which ....... these rude ladies of Cadiz.
The five missing words are spelt with the same seven letters.
Solution
A lass and her lover were ——— by the skyNot to ——— too far where no shelter was nigh.She lingered behind, and —— — old church,St. ——— by name, and was left in the lurch.She tried a short cut through a park on the grass,But sternly the ——— forbade her to pass;Then helplessly stood the disconsolate maid,When the lad she was soon to —— —— to her aid.
A lass and her lover were ——— by the skyNot to ——— too far where no shelter was nigh.She lingered behind, and —— — old church,St. ——— by name, and was left in the lurch.She tried a short cut through a park on the grass,But sternly the ——— forbade her to pass;Then helplessly stood the disconsolate maid,When the lad she was soon to —— —— to her aid.
A lass and her lover were ——— by the skyNot to ——— too far where no shelter was nigh.She lingered behind, and —— — old church,St. ——— by name, and was left in the lurch.
She tried a short cut through a park on the grass,But sternly the ——— forbade her to pass;Then helplessly stood the disconsolate maid,When the lad she was soon to —— —— to her aid.
The missing words are spelt with the same six letters.
Solution
The following curious Missing Words Puzzle is to be seen on a card which hangs in the bar of an inn in the Isle ofMan:—
It is to be readthus:—
I had bothmoneyand afriend, by both I set great store,I lent mymoneyto myfriend, and took his word therefor,
I had bothmoneyand afriend, by both I set great store,I lent mymoneyto myfriend, and took his word therefor,
I had bothmoneyand afriend, by both I set great store,I lent mymoneyto myfriend, and took his word therefor,
and so on to the end.
When ———— smiles, and sunbeams playOn flowers that ———— and deck the green,———— can match the scene so gay———— they crown the May-day queen?
When ———— smiles, and sunbeams playOn flowers that ———— and deck the green,———— can match the scene so gay———— they crown the May-day queen?
When ———— smiles, and sunbeams playOn flowers that ———— and deck the green,———— can match the scene so gay———— they crown the May-day queen?
The missing words are spelt with the same seven letters.
Solution
’Tis said of William, while his forces restedOn Albion’s ———, when Harold had been bested,He made the ——— of his ——— fuseSaxon spear-heads, to fashion into shoes.
’Tis said of William, while his forces restedOn Albion’s ———, when Harold had been bested,He made the ——— of his ——— fuseSaxon spear-heads, to fashion into shoes.
’Tis said of William, while his forces restedOn Albion’s ———, when Harold had been bested,He made the ——— of his ——— fuseSaxon spear-heads, to fashion into shoes.
Each missing word has the same six letters.
Solution
The decapitated words are initalics:—
The ship rode in aneasternbay,Asleepasternthe master lay,Asternand rugged man was he,And, like atern, at home at sea.Like swoopingernhe caught his preyWhene’er anR.N.came his way;But while dueN.the needle keptHe in his cabin lay and slept.
The ship rode in aneasternbay,Asleepasternthe master lay,Asternand rugged man was he,And, like atern, at home at sea.Like swoopingernhe caught his preyWhene’er anR.N.came his way;But while dueN.the needle keptHe in his cabin lay and slept.
The ship rode in aneasternbay,Asleepasternthe master lay,Asternand rugged man was he,And, like atern, at home at sea.Like swoopingernhe caught his preyWhene’er anR.N.came his way;But while dueN.the needle keptHe in his cabin lay and slept.
The ern, or erne, is the sea-eagle.
Happiness, brighter than ———, is dead;Life’s battle, sterner and ——— now,Heals the sore ——— that love left as it fled,——— remembrance of long broken vow!
Happiness, brighter than ———, is dead;Life’s battle, sterner and ——— now,Heals the sore ——— that love left as it fled,——— remembrance of long broken vow!
Happiness, brighter than ———, is dead;Life’s battle, sterner and ——— now,Heals the sore ——— that love left as it fled,——— remembrance of long broken vow!
The missing words are spelt with the same six letters.
Solution
Press critics fall on me like sharks;“A shameless ....... of odds and ends,No ....... original,” and more remarksIn adverse mood. But stay, my friends,He ....... best who hath his record clean;My faults are published, yours are yet unseen!
Press critics fall on me like sharks;“A shameless ....... of odds and ends,No ....... original,” and more remarksIn adverse mood. But stay, my friends,He ....... best who hath his record clean;My faults are published, yours are yet unseen!
Press critics fall on me like sharks;“A shameless ....... of odds and ends,No ....... original,” and more remarksIn adverse mood. But stay, my friends,He ....... best who hath his record clean;My faults are published, yours are yet unseen!
The missing words have the same seven letters.
Solution
...... are his ......, fashion-forms of graceIn ...... deftly hinted....... soft as ......, crowned by Beauty’s face,In ...... hues are tinted.
...... are his ......, fashion-forms of graceIn ...... deftly hinted....... soft as ......, crowned by Beauty’s face,In ...... hues are tinted.
...... are his ......, fashion-forms of graceIn ...... deftly hinted....... soft as ......, crowned by Beauty’s face,In ...... hues are tinted.
The six missing words are spelt with the same six letters.
Solution
On the front of a church, in the Largo Remedios, at Braga, in Portugal, there is an inscription which, with its letter-perfect Anagram, runs asfollows:—
which may be rendered—“Blessed John Mark, disciple of Christ the Lord.”He in this world is the holy healer of thy people Braga!
When Kate — ——— —— —— displayed— —— — hide a tear;“All love is dead — ———,” he said.“———— I’ll —— ——!”
When Kate — ——— —— —— displayed— —— — hide a tear;“All love is dead — ———,” he said.“———— I’ll —— ——!”
When Kate — ——— —— —— displayed— —— — hide a tear;“All love is dead — ———,” he said.“———— I’ll —— ——!”
The missing word and groups of words are spelt with the same seven letters.
Solution
Some grinding at the ——— must toil,Down-trodden ——— of to-day;While other children of the soilIn vast ——— their wealth display.
Some grinding at the ——— must toil,Down-trodden ——— of to-day;While other children of the soilIn vast ——— their wealth display.
Some grinding at the ——— must toil,Down-trodden ——— of to-day;While other children of the soilIn vast ——— their wealth display.
The missing words are spelt with the same six letters.
Solution
This diagram shows that the odd numbers of the 9 digits add up to 25, and the even numbers to 20.
Calculations1235476982520
Calculations
Can you arrange the 9 digits in two groups in which the odd numbers and the even will add up to exactly the same sum?
Solution
Betrayed by faithless friends, in ——— moodMan ——— his fellows as the ——— brood.
Betrayed by faithless friends, in ——— moodMan ——— his fellows as the ——— brood.
Betrayed by faithless friends, in ——— moodMan ——— his fellows as the ——— brood.
The missing words are spelt with the same six letters.
Solution
With divers —— his —— is scarred,He hangs a bangle in his nose;Such marks secure his —— regard,Exalt his fame, and —— his foes.
With divers —— his —— is scarred,He hangs a bangle in his nose;Such marks secure his —— regard,Exalt his fame, and —— his foes.
With divers —— his —— is scarred,He hangs a bangle in his nose;Such marks secure his —— regard,Exalt his fame, and —— his foes.
Each missing word is spelt with the same four letters.
Solution
MRS LR’S SRMR LR KRS.“BLR MR LR!”MRS LR HRS.
MRS LR’S SRMR LR KRS.“BLR MR LR!”MRS LR HRS.
MRS LR’S SRMR LR KRS.“BLR MR LR!”MRS LR HRS.
How do you read these lines and their title?
Solution
———— who, as we ———— roll,———— for me the foaming bowl,And ———— off unfriendly sprayWith oilskin cape, thou shalt not say“In vain I’ve ———— my favours here.”I’ll think of thee when port is near!
———— who, as we ———— roll,———— for me the foaming bowl,And ———— off unfriendly sprayWith oilskin cape, thou shalt not say“In vain I’ve ———— my favours here.”I’ll think of thee when port is near!
———— who, as we ———— roll,———— for me the foaming bowl,And ———— off unfriendly sprayWith oilskin cape, thou shalt not say“In vain I’ve ———— my favours here.”I’ll think of thee when port is near!
The four missing words are spelt with the same seven letters.
Solution
With high ——— for hearts and hands,These ——— ——— for distant lands.
With high ——— for hearts and hands,These ——— ——— for distant lands.
With high ——— for hearts and hands,These ——— ——— for distant lands.
The three missing words are spelt with the same six letters.
Solution
The ———— of his speech did not———— his audience a jot.They greeted all he said thereafterWith ————, smiles, and open laughter.
The ———— of his speech did not———— his audience a jot.They greeted all he said thereafterWith ————, smiles, and open laughter.
The ———— of his speech did not———— his audience a jot.They greeted all he said thereafterWith ————, smiles, and open laughter.
The missing words have the same seven letters.
Solution
To convent shrine at break of dayWith ——— together nuns repair;Mid gleaming ——— they kneel and pray,And chanted ——— allays each care.
To convent shrine at break of dayWith ——— together nuns repair;Mid gleaming ——— they kneel and pray,And chanted ——— allays each care.
To convent shrine at break of dayWith ——— together nuns repair;Mid gleaming ——— they kneel and pray,And chanted ——— allays each care.
Spelt with the same five letters.
Solution
The following puzzle-epitaph was engraved on a tombstone in DurhamCathedral:—
Solution
Here once, as a hag is bedizened with paint,A ——— ——— ——’— in the garb of a saint.
Here once, as a hag is bedizened with paint,A ——— ——— ——’— in the garb of a saint.
Here once, as a hag is bedizened with paint,A ——— ——— ——’— in the garb of a saint.
The three missing words are spelt with the same five letters.
Solution
Sussex! No ——— of a bygone ageRide through thy ——— to-day with shield and ———,And ——— no horseflesh so they may engageTo save some damozel from harm or fear.Who now would give a thought to ——— or peaches?He truly farms who ——— a golden store;And, though he cannot ——— the simplest speeches,——— down expense, and savings has galore!
Sussex! No ——— of a bygone ageRide through thy ——— to-day with shield and ———,And ——— no horseflesh so they may engageTo save some damozel from harm or fear.Who now would give a thought to ——— or peaches?He truly farms who ——— a golden store;And, though he cannot ——— the simplest speeches,——— down expense, and savings has galore!
Sussex! No ——— of a bygone ageRide through thy ——— to-day with shield and ———,And ——— no horseflesh so they may engageTo save some damozel from harm or fear.
Who now would give a thought to ——— or peaches?He truly farms who ——— a golden store;And, though he cannot ——— the simplest speeches,——— down expense, and savings has galore!
Each missing word is spelt with the same five letters.
Solution
Here is an excellent French Word Square of sevenletters:—
This is a worthy companion to the English seven-letter squares on “Problem” and “Palated,” which are given on other pages.
——— in the ——— far away,Remote alike from heaven and hell,The silent ———, so poets say,Who shape the ends of mortals dwell.
——— in the ——— far away,Remote alike from heaven and hell,The silent ———, so poets say,Who shape the ends of mortals dwell.
——— in the ——— far away,Remote alike from heaven and hell,The silent ———, so poets say,Who shape the ends of mortals dwell.
Each missing word has the same five letters.
Solution
In all our ——— the mechanician’s skillNow compasses the rogue with artful wile.The patent ——— and the “tell tale” tillBeset his way who ——— the path of guile,Besotted youth, who ——— to defyThe rule of right, beware his awful fateWho, sitting down to eat a stolen pie,——— the eighth commandment on the plate!
In all our ——— the mechanician’s skillNow compasses the rogue with artful wile.The patent ——— and the “tell tale” tillBeset his way who ——— the path of guile,Besotted youth, who ——— to defyThe rule of right, beware his awful fateWho, sitting down to eat a stolen pie,——— the eighth commandment on the plate!
In all our ——— the mechanician’s skillNow compasses the rogue with artful wile.The patent ——— and the “tell tale” tillBeset his way who ——— the path of guile,Besotted youth, who ——— to defyThe rule of right, beware his awful fateWho, sitting down to eat a stolen pie,——— the eighth commandment on the plate!
Spelt with the same six letters.
Solution
This epitaph, most of it in some sort of dog Latin, tells its own pathetic tale on its tablet.
Solution
The .... with .... importunateTo rule his .... may try;His .... is so unfortunateThat .... they may reply!
The .... with .... importunateTo rule his .... may try;His .... is so unfortunateThat .... they may reply!
The .... with .... importunateTo rule his .... may try;His .... is so unfortunateThat .... they may reply!
The missing words are spelt with the same four letters.
Solution
In all the pomp of —— and chainsHe lords it o’er the town;The —— of his hopes he gainsWho —— with half-a-crown.
In all the pomp of —— and chainsHe lords it o’er the town;The —— of his hopes he gainsWho —— with half-a-crown.
In all the pomp of —— and chainsHe lords it o’er the town;The —— of his hopes he gainsWho —— with half-a-crown.
Each missing word has the same four letters.
Solution
A writer quite devoid of tact,She valued ——— more than fact.A wayward ——— she made her museOn ——— and noble heaped abuse.Dealt ——— on ——— to prince or peer,Her ——— wit a paltry jeer.
A writer quite devoid of tact,She valued ——— more than fact.A wayward ——— she made her museOn ——— and noble heaped abuse.Dealt ——— on ——— to prince or peer,Her ——— wit a paltry jeer.
A writer quite devoid of tact,She valued ——— more than fact.A wayward ——— she made her museOn ——— and noble heaped abuse.Dealt ——— on ——— to prince or peer,Her ——— wit a paltry jeer.
Each missing word is spelt with the same six letters.
Solution
Of all destructive country pestsThe farmer ..... ..... least;He cannot yet the puzzle .....How to suppress the beast!
Of all destructive country pestsThe farmer ..... ..... least;He cannot yet the puzzle .....How to suppress the beast!
Of all destructive country pestsThe farmer ..... ..... least;He cannot yet the puzzle .....How to suppress the beast!
The missing words have the same five letters.
Solution
Within the four corners of this Mystic Diamond the Palindrome, NAME NO ONE MAN, can be traced in 16,376 different directions, in straight lines, or at right angles, starting from the centre or from the borders.
DiamondNNaNNamaNNamemaNNamenemaNNamenonemaNNamenooonemaNNamenoonoonemaNNamenoonenoonemaNNamenoonemenoonemaNNamenoonemamenoonemaNNamenoonemaNamenoonemaNNamenoonemamenoonemaNNamenoonemenoonemaNNamenoonenoonemaNNamenoonoonemaNNamenooonemaNNamenonemaNNamenemaNNamemaNNamaNNaNN
Diamond
NNaNNamaNNamemaNNamenemaNNamenonemaNNamenooonemaNNamenoonoonemaNNamenoonenoonemaNNamenoonemenoonemaNNamenoonemamenoonemaNNamenoonemaNamenoonemaNNamenoonemamenoonemaNNamenoonemenoonemaNNamenoonenoonemaNNamenoonoonemaNNamenooonemaNNamenonemaNNamenemaNNamemaNNamaNNaNN
The ——— of darkest London are radiant with ———,You can ——— it in their ——— little faces.So wherever you ——— let it be your heart’s ———To ease the ——— and sorrows of all ———.
The ——— of darkest London are radiant with ———,You can ——— it in their ——— little faces.So wherever you ——— let it be your heart’s ———To ease the ——— and sorrows of all ———.
The ——— of darkest London are radiant with ———,You can ——— it in their ——— little faces.So wherever you ——— let it be your heart’s ———To ease the ——— and sorrows of all ———.
The missing words in the title and those in the first and third lines each contain six letters. Those in the second four, and in the fourth five.
Solution
If you start with the right letter in this combination, and then take every third letter, a well-known quotation from Shakespeare will be formed.
RiddleHouse.canoe.after.hour.print.cave.childsash.sleve.acorn.ample.sad.tatta.henamat.ache.cake.taches.heliac.sacque.usual.arbor.see.mulch.jacur.use.stop.
Riddle
House.canoe.after.hour.print.cave.childsash.sleve.acorn.ample.sad.tatta.henamat.ache.cake.taches.heliac.sacque.usual.arbor.see.mulch.jacur.use.stop.
House.canoe.after.hour.print.cave.childsash.sleve.acorn.ample.sad.tatta.henamat.ache.cake.taches.heliac.sacque.usual.arbor.see.mulch.jacur.use.stop.
Solution
She ...... in vain, “Men are ......, and as shyAs ...... in October,” she says with a sigh.
She ...... in vain, “Men are ......, and as shyAs ...... in October,” she says with a sigh.
She ...... in vain, “Men are ......, and as shyAs ...... in October,” she says with a sigh.
The missing words are spelt with the same six letters.
Solution
When good men lapse the ....... grins,When one ....... he swears,And strives to set his former sinsAgainst his ....... prayers.
When good men lapse the ....... grins,When one ....... he swears,And strives to set his former sinsAgainst his ....... prayers.
When good men lapse the ....... grins,When one ....... he swears,And strives to set his former sinsAgainst his ....... prayers.
Each missing word is spelt with the same seven letters.
Solution
An old Italian bird we knowWhose heart is ever touched by snow.
An old Italian bird we knowWhose heart is ever touched by snow.
An old Italian bird we knowWhose heart is ever touched by snow.
1. None can press me without pain
1.Pressure is against the grain.
2. I am a king without my head.
3. Here is another king instead.
It is fair to our readers to say that some knowledge of Latin and French is needed for dealing with this very excellent Acrostic, of which a full explanation is given with the solution.
Solution
His hands and face were ———, and sadUpon the ——— a gipsy ladLay; as the breeze his temples fannedHe counted ——— on either hand.
His hands and face were ———, and sadUpon the ——— a gipsy ladLay; as the breeze his temples fannedHe counted ——— on either hand.
His hands and face were ———, and sadUpon the ——— a gipsy ladLay; as the breeze his temples fannedHe counted ——— on either hand.
Each missing word has the same five letters.
Solution
In yon grey ——— an old divineTaught me my ——— to decline,And verbs with ——— of mood and tense;But while I plodded on apaceI had to keep the ——— of grace,And close his prayers with loud ———.
In yon grey ——— an old divineTaught me my ——— to decline,And verbs with ——— of mood and tense;But while I plodded on apaceI had to keep the ——— of grace,And close his prayers with loud ———.
In yon grey ——— an old divineTaught me my ——— to decline,And verbs with ——— of mood and tense;But while I plodded on apaceI had to keep the ——— of grace,And close his prayers with loud ———.
Each missing word is spelt with the same five letters.
Solution
No reckless ——— of the sword,He ——— his fatherland to save.Fighting for freedom, not ———,Now ——— of the eastern seas.
No reckless ——— of the sword,He ——— his fatherland to save.Fighting for freedom, not ———,Now ——— of the eastern seas.
No reckless ——— of the sword,He ——— his fatherland to save.Fighting for freedom, not ———,Now ——— of the eastern seas.
The four missing words contain six letters.
Solution
Five familiar proverbs are hidden in this square of 169 letters.
The proverbs are arranged in a regular sequence.
Solution
A fair ———, though ——— and frayed,The critic ——— to own,And it might interest the tradeIf ——— by some one known.
A fair ———, though ——— and frayed,The critic ——— to own,And it might interest the tradeIf ——— by some one known.
A fair ———, though ——— and frayed,The critic ——— to own,And it might interest the tradeIf ——— by some one known.
The missing words are spelt with the same six letters.
Solution
In his ——— days, as when he was young,The ——— indulges in ——— of tongue.
In his ——— days, as when he was young,The ——— indulges in ——— of tongue.
In his ——— days, as when he was young,The ——— indulges in ——— of tongue.
Each missing word is spelt with the same six letters.
Solution
Lord Duff, who evidently had a turn for puzzles, proposed this alphabetical toast, which became popular among the Jacobites.
Another quaint and ingenious use of separate letters is recorded of the well-known preacher, Henry Ward Beecher.
Years ago, before his reputation had become world-wide, he was asked to give a lecture without charge, and assured that it would increase his fame. His reply was characteristic and very much to the point: “I will lecture for F.A.M.E.—fifty and my expenses!”
Words, spelt with the same eight letters are indicated in these lines. There are two words in (1).
Solution
The following obscure legend was worked on an old sampler, in the red cross-stitch that found favour when our grandmothers weregirls:—