100.-NAMES OF TOWNS IN ENGLAND. a. A fleet (or swift) animal. b. Two-thirds of an acid fruit; and c. A sheet of water. d. The grazier's delight; and e. A heavy weight. f. A musical instrument; and g. Every man's house. h. The outward effects of a wound; and i. A corporate town. j. What King Charles lost; and k. A preposition. 7. A carpenter's tool; and m. A cathedral. 101. At this time of the year My coming brings forth your regret. Such a petting and spoiling you give me, It's your own fault most oft you'll agree. Or a victim of you I will make: I shan't tell you more, For it is such a bore The thought of it makes one's bones ache? LINA. 102.-A CONDIMENT AND APPENDAGE. I finish time, and end all woe: Now, tell my name-you surely know? A cave of peculiar construction, and dark; Two-thirds of a painter of ancient renown; A vehicle built more for convenience than show; A word which defined means so much and no more; The muse, who by the poets is praised for dancing well. 9. The god of merchants, rogues, and talk, the messenger of Jove; h. The Gen'ral of the Grecian force, who with the Trojans strove, i. And the father of the gods, whom his son from heaven drove. Reader, if what this nonsense means, You really wish to know, 123.-LADIES' NAMES. a. A place for repose and an article. b. An active verb and a grain. Dox. c. A very useful instrument, and to depart. d. To secure, a pronoun, and a gentleman's name abbreviated. e. Two-thirds of a scarce virtue and two indefinite articles. f. A native of an Eastern country, and an Italian 9• pronoun. A coin, and part of a French verb. h. A consonant, and a martyr to jealousy. i. A measure curtailed, and the name of an American novel. j. One of the twelve tribes of Israel, a preposition, and a vowel. IRENE. 124.-UNPLEASANT COMPANIONS. a. A globule of moisture, and two-fifths of an assembly of ecclesiastics. b. A vehicle, a cake, and half of a circle. c. Three-fourths of a tree, and the last two letters of a pretty field-flower. d. One-half of a bird, and three-eighths of a horned serpent. e. Three-fourths of an infant, and a pustule. f. One-half of a brilliant mineral, and what fertilizes the earth. g. The seat of life, and a poet dressing a letter. h. One-half of what is useless, a sack, and nothing. i. A vowel, two-thirds of an adhesive substance, and a vowel. j. Half of what relates to the heavenly bodies, a consonant, and half a house. k. A grain, and a consonant. 7. Three-fifths of an article used by gardeners, and two-fifths of lively. 125. My first is a fruit of a sultry clime, And of my second, I'll tell you in time: Ask "Paddy," for sure he has learnt it by rote! 126. I am what I'm sure you all most dearly prize: I soothe and cherish many a breaking heart, 127. LINA. To give us our due, We're a goodly crew, Though nothing like pride you'll see; For the justice bland, And the robber-band, May each have our company. And though some knavesBase menial slavesOur worthy ranks encumber, We've kings and queens, And go-betweens, That help to swell our number. We've done such tricks, And 'mongst our clan Of lowly pot-house revels, We can command The monarch's hand, And thus prove that we're "levels.' 128. ROLANDO. a. My first appears ere Sol has risen, To gladden with his light The earth, now just awaking From the darkness of the night. b. When a cloudy sky is lowering, And the south wind blows serene, My second in the winter, At the cover's side is seen. c. My whole's for swiftness famed, ANSWERS TO THE ENIGMAS, &c. Two MENTAL SCENES FROM ROMAN HISTORY. 1. Death of Pompey the Great. 2. One of the capricious actions of Domitian. PUZZLE. Solution-Two feet wide. 66.-A letter. 67.-Wedding-ring. 68.-Leviathan. 69.-Man-us-crypt. 70.-Table (arithmetical, and for domestic purposes t). 71.-Colon. 72.-Part-ridge. 73.-Wave-ring. 74.-A Shadow. 75.-Dar-ling. 76.-Christ-mas (s)-day. 77.-Chip-pen-ham: 78.-Co-pen-hag-en(d). 79. -Plaice. 80.-Field-piece. 81.-AN ACROSTIC CHARADE. a. BaT. b. UgH. c. CarE. d. KeeP. e. IseR. f. NerolI. g. GreeN. h. Heroic. i. AcE. 7. AttaR. m. Lass0. p. L. E. L.-Buckingham j. MosS. k. Paris. 82.-GEOGRAPHICAL ENIGMA. a. SinopE. b. AntriM. c. RotterdaM. d. DembeA. e. IspahaN. f. Nassau. h. ArchangeL.-Sardinia: Emmanuel. 83.-CONUNDRUMS. g. IserE a. Because he's an Inn-spectre (inspector). d. When he's a board (aboard). e. When it's a puncheon (punching). f. Because he's affable (a fable). g. They steel (steal) their petticoats. h. A door (adore). i. Because it's her-ring (herring). j. Agate (a gate). k. When he's a Count (account). 7. Because you send them to be sol(e)d. 84.- Adam, a dam, madam. 85.- Ebony. 86.-Sea-man. THE EDITOR TO HIS FRIENDS. ADDRESS: 122, FLEET STREET, E.C., LONDON. "A FRIEND" and one or two others, complain this month that we have "neglected" to answer their inquiries. We object to the term "neglect." When answers are not given in due course, the delay arises from the fact that the queries require considerable research and expenditure of time. Our friends may rest assured that we feel it to be our duty, as it is our pleasure, to answer all their questions as speedily and correctly as possible. FIRST CLASS. Little Giggie.-Fanny.- Anna Gig (our best thanks).-Mary Anne (you were last month entitled to the first class).--Lizzie E. R.-Abelard.Ella (send 3s. 6d. in stamps to our publishers for a copy of the new edition of "Elegant Arts for Ladies;" it contains the best instructions for modeling in leather, as well as twenty-two other usefal accomplishments), Nellie. Eliza. J.. L. (you have mistaken one of the words for deinition; refer to our last number and you will se your error).-Vesuvius (we think had better remain; "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush").-Irene.-Alpha (the offence has been committed in error, and we beg to apologise on behalf of our printers),-E. Butterworth.-Nargissa.-Lizzie E. R. (your conjecture is correct).D. M. R.-Alpha.-W. Garbutt, jun. SECOND CLASS. you Funnyboy.-Humility (you cannot do us a better service than by sending our number from friend to friend; the postage is but one penny). Rolando ("how are the mighty fallen;' we are glad that you have received your well-deserved reward, and that you appreciate it).-Jane Anne. -Marguerite.--Honest John. Heckmondwike. Myrtle and Mistletoe.-Lost Pleiad. Gilbert Ashton (we are much obliged for the answers to the queries of our correspondents). QUESTIONS ANSWERED. 34. EDGAR.-ORIGIN OF THE PAYMENT OF SIX HORSESHOES AND NAILS BY THE SHERIFFS OF LONDON AND MIDDLESEX.-The origin of the payment or tender of "six horseshoes, with the nails thereunto belonging" by the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, at the time of their being sworn into office by the Chief Baron of the Exchequer, is not generally known even to those to whom the custom itself is familiar. One Walter le Bruin, a farrier, granted to the City of London a piece of ground in the Strand, within the parish of St. Clement Danes, which he had, in the year 1235, obtained from the Crown, for the purpose of erecting a forge upon it, at an annual quit-rent of six horseshoes, nails, &c. The piece of ground is not at present in the possession of the city, but the old custom is, nevertheless, still kept up.G. M. F. G. 35. VERUS AMICUS.-The word "dragon" is derived from the Latin draco, a dragon. 36. ESTELLE.-The word "haberdasher" has its origin in the French haber d'acheter; i.e., one who has goods for sale. 37. M. A. & S.-HOW TO MAKE ROSE WATER. -When the roses are in full bloom, pick the leaves carefully off, and to every quart of water put a peck of them; put them in a cold still over a slow fire, and distil gradually; then bottle the water; let it stand in the bottle three days, and then cork it close. 38. LUCINDA B.-TO RESTORE HAIR THAT HAS FALLEN OFF THROUGH ILLNESS. Rub onions frequently on the part requiring it. The stimulating powers of this vegetable are of service in restoring the tone of the skin, and assisting the capillary vessels in sending forth new hair; but it is not infallible. Should it succeed, however, the growth of these new hairs may be assisted by the oil of myrtle-berries. 39. A SUBSCRIBER.-A RECEIPT FOR DESTROYING BUGS.-When bugs have obtained a lodgment in walls or timber, the surest mode of overcoming the nuisance is, to putty up every hole that is moderately large, and oil-paint the whole wall or timber. In bed-furniture, a mixture of soft soap with snuff, or arsenic, is useful to fill up the holes where the bolts or fastenings are fixed, &c. French polish may be applied to smoother parts of the wood. 40. CONSTANCY.-PASTILS FOR BURNING.Cascarilla bark, 8 drachms; gum benzoin, 4 drachms; yellow sanders, 2 drachms; styrax, 2 drachms; olibanum, 2 drachms; charcoal, 6 ounces; nitre, 1 drachms; mucilage of tragacanth, sufficient quantity. Reduce the substances to a powder, and form into a paste with the mucilage; then divide into small cones, and put them into an oven until quite dry. 41. JUVENILE.-HOW TO PREPARE FULMINATING OR DETONATING POWDERS.-1. Mix to gether 1 drachm of sulphur, 3 drachms of nitre, and 2 drachms of carbonate of potash (all previously powdered), in a sheet of writing-paper. When properly mixed, put them into a small stoppered phial. An eighth or a sixteenth part of this, put into a fire-shovel of tin-plate, held over the fire for a few minutes, will explode: immediately before the explosion, a violet-coloured flame will be seen to hover over it. Or-Take three parts of nitre, two of potash, and one of sulphur; all of these should be thoroughly dry; then mix them by rubbing them together in a warm mortar. If a litle of this powder be exposed to a gentle heat in an iron ladle, till it melts, it will explode with a violent report. N.B.-Neither of the above mixtures are dangerous like the metallic fulminating powders, which explode with the slightest friction. 42. D. C. M.-TO REVIVE THE COLOUR OF BLACK CLOTH.--If a coat, clean it well, then boil from two to four ounces of logwood in your copper or boiler for half an hour: dip your coat in warm water, and squeeze it as dry as you can; then put it into the copper and boil it for half an hour. Take it out, and add a piece of green copperas about the size of a horse-bean; boil it another half hour, then draw it, and hang it in the air for an hour or two; take it down, rinse it in two or three cold waters; dry it, and let it be well brushed with a soft brush, over which a drop or two of the oil of olives has been rubbed, then stroke your coat regularly over. 43. LEONATUS.-TO MAKE GREEN INK.Boil together-cream of tartar, 2 drachms; verdigris, an ounce; water, 5 ounces; then filter the solution. 44. PRUDENTIA. INFUSION JUGS are made with a cover, and strainer across the spout; they are of brown or white ware, sometimes straight, but often in the ordinary form of a jug as here represented; it is a cheap and useful article, and should be found in the cupboard of every good housewife; the quart will be generally found to be the most convenient size. When this is not at hand, an earthenware teapot, or any jug with a plate over the top to confine the steam and prevent too rapid cooling, will answer the purpose.The chief objection to infusions made in the manner above indicated, is their tendency to spoil rapidly, some of them, in warm weather, becoming unfit for use in 24 hours, or less. A successful attempt has recently been made to obviate this objection by preparing concentrated infusions with cold water in a vacuum; but with these we cannot depend upon uniformity of strength, and they have frequently so much spirit in them that they are more like tinctures. 45. FANNY.-MINDING YOUR P'S AND Q's.This expression, which is now used in any case when anyone is to "look out" or "beware," originated somewhat as follows:-In country publichouses it was customary to make the back of the bar-room door answer the purpose of day-book, for which purpose it was usually painted black or some other dark colour. On this the quantity of "drink" ordered by each gentleman during the evening was chalked down under the headings P and Q P signifying pints, and Q quarts. Thus, when friends were getting rather cozy together, the expression "Mind your P's and Q's" was often used, signifying to each one present that the "reckoning time" would soon come, and cautioning them against having more P's and Q's against their names than they would be able to pay for.-GEO. W. ROUGHTON. 46. OLD SUBSCRIBER.-OXFORD is represented by Oxon" because it is an abbreviation of the Latin word Oxoniensis, which means "of Oxford." 47. EMMA S. P.-A RECIPE FOR REMOVING INK-SPOTS FROM MAHOGANY.-Apply spirits of Salts with a bit of rag till the ink disappears. Or-Put a few drops of spirits of nitre in a teaspoonful of water, touch the spot with a feather dipped in the mixture, and, on the ink disappearing, rub it over immediately with a rag wetted in cold water.-GILBERT ASHTON. 1 48. NEW SUBSCRIBER. THE AMERICAN FLAG. The present American flag (stars and stripes) was not adopted until June 14, 1777, when Congress passed the following resolution:"Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constitution." Previous to this time, each State (or colony) adopted its own peculiar flag. The first independent flag raised in South Carolina (1775) was a blue field with a crescent in one corner. On July 18th, 1775, "Old Put" unfurled in Massachusetts a red flag. 49. A SUFFERER.-A CURE FOR SOFT CORNS. -Scrape a piece of common chalk, and put a pinch to the soft corn, and bind a piece of linen rag upon it. Repeat the application during a few days, and you will find the corn come off like a shell, and perfectly cured. The cure is simple and efficacious. 50. DAPHNE. To GILD THE LEAVES OF Books.-Screw a quantity of pages strongly into a press, after being cut as smooth as possible. Size them with isinglass glue, mixed up with spirits of wine, and then apply the gold leaves when the size arrives at the proper degree of thickness. 51. MARIAN.-RECIPE FOR WHITENING THE HANDS.-Take a wine-glassful of Eau de Cologne, and another of lemon-juice: then scrape two cakes of brown Windsor soap to a powder, and mix well in a mould. When hard, it will be an excellent soap for whitening the hands. 52. SCRIPTURE READER.-LOCUSTS.-Locusts are remarkable for the hieroglyphic that they bear upon the forehead. Their colour is green throughout the whole body, excepting a little yellow rim that surrounds their head, and which is lost at the eyes. This insect has two upper wings, pretty solid. They are green like the rest of the body, except that there is in each a little white spot. The locust keeps them extended like great sails of a ship going before the wind. It has besides two other wings underneath the former, and which resemble a light, transparent stuff, pretty much like a cobweb, and which it makes use of in the manner of smack sails, that are along a vessel. But when the locust reposes herself, she does like a vessel that lies at anchor; for she keeps the second sails furled under the others. |