Containing one thousand of thelatest and best Conundrums,gathered from every conceivablesource, and comprising many thatare entirely new and original

A taste for guessing puzzles and enigmas is coevalwith the race. The early Greeks were extremelyfond of such intellectual exercises, andthey are found in the language of all civilizednations. One of the brightest forms of thesepuzzles is that of the conundrum, the answer ofwhich is usually a play upon words similar to thepun. Each language has its own particular formof this kind of wit, but the English language, onaccount of its composite nature, is especially richin such forms of wit and humor.

The compiler of this little volume has made achoice selection of conundrums from those inactual use among people belonging to refined andcultured society. They are classified under fourprincipal heads—General Conundrums, BiblicalConundrums, Poetical Conundrums, and FrenchConundrums. Some of the most ingenious andinteresting forms of wit will be found under eachof these classes.

In addition to these conundrums, the book containsa rare collection of arithmetical puzzles.These were especially prepared for the work by amathematician of wide reputation who has used4many of them in one of his own publications.They will be found of great interest to those whohave a taste for numbers and their curious combinationsand results.

The collection as a whole will afford innocentrecreation for the fireside and social circle, andthus contribute to the happiness of those whoenjoy the higher forms of pleasure that flow fromthe exercise of the mind upon those subjects thatrequire quickness of thought and a nimble wit.