1638.)

It was asked of one who wore a threadbare coat, whether his coat were
not sleepy. "Why do you ask?" queried the owner. "Because," was the
reply, "I think it hath not had a nap this seven year."

One remarked "that it was a good fashion that was worn nowadays"
(1639), "because the tailors had so contrived that there was little
or no waste in a whole suit."

The philosopher's stone had need turn all metals to gold because the
study of it turns all a man's gold to other metal.

A Gallant with a galloping wit was mounted upon a running horse
toward a town named Tame, within ten miles of Oxford, and, riding at
full speed, he met an old man, and asked him, 'Sirrah, is this the
way to Tame?' 'Yes, sir,' he replied, 'your horse, I'll warrant you,
if he were as wild as the devil.'

"This is a riddle to a fool, methinks,
And seems to want an Oedipus or Sphinx,
But, Reader, in my book I hold it fit[3]
To find you lines, yourself must find you wit."

[3] Sufficient.

CHAPTER II

MYTHOLOGICAL CONUNDRUMS

Where was Time raised? In the lapse of ages.

How do we know that Jupiter wore very pinching boots? Because we read
of his struggles with the tight-uns (Titans).

What great astronomer is like Venus's chariot? Her-shell (Herschell).

Why does a woman residing up a pair of stairs remind you of a
goddess? Because she's a second floorer (Flora).

Why is a man looking for the philosopher's stone like Neptune?
Because he's a sea-king (a-seeking) what never was.

If all the seas were dried up, what would Neptune say? I really
haven't an ocean (a notion).

If a young lady were to wish her father to pull her on the river,
what classical name might she mention? You row, pa (Europa).

Why is Orpheus always in bad company? Because you never see him
without a lyre.

If the Greeks had pushed Pan into the Bay of Salamis, what would he
have been when he came out? A dripping Pan.

What did Io die of? Io-dide of potassium.

When does a lady think her husband a Hercules? When he can't get on
without his club.

What girl does Echo think can best answer questions? Ann, sir.

Why was Leander voluntarily drowned? It was through his-whim (his
swim) only.

Why is a coach going down a steep hill like St. George? Because it is
always drawn with the drag-on.

CHAPTER III

BIBLICAL CONUNDRUMS

What three words did Adam use when he introduced himself to Eve,
which read backwards an