As we've shown, the ladies' magazines of the early 19th century contained a variety of material: fiction, poetry, and politics as well as fashion, beauty advice, and helpful household hints. Some offered their readers little puzzlers every month, with the answers provided in the following month's issue. Here's a selection for you to play with this week. Answers—and the source—will appear next weekend. (Hint: Most though not all will test your punning skills.)
1. Why is a chronologist like a palm tree ?
2. Why is education like a tailor?
3. What was the first thing Adam set in his garden!
4. Which is the greatest Friday in the year ?
5. Why is a nobleman like a book ?
6. Why is avarice like a bad memory ?
7. What is the only thing a liar may be said to do after he is dead?
8. Why is an inn in sight like an inn out of sight ?
9. If I want my daughter Nancy to carry a pair of stockings to the tallest person in company, how would I address her in the most religious manner ?
10. What is that which binds people together, and touches only one ?
11. Why is the paper from which the banns of marriage are published like a daily journal ?
12. Why is a knock-kneed person like a poor man soliciting alms ?
13. Why is an egg overdone like an egg underdone ?
14. Why is a contented man like a rebel ?
15. Why is Sir Walter Scott like galvanism ?
16. In what month do ladies talk the least ?
17. Why is a parson's horse like the king?
18. Why is a pawnbroker like the devil ?
19. What is that which is always invisible, yet never out of sight ?
20. Why is a good housewife like a powerless man ?
21. Why is Virgil, translated, like hatred ?
22. Why should peas of a bad color be sent to Knightsbridge ?
23. Why is a blacksmith's apron like the gates of a convent?
24. Why may fruit be said to be the origin of swearing ?
One of us -- 
4 comments:
Wow, these are something! Too hard for me, I'm afraid. :(
I will be wrestling with these until you give the answers. 1, 7, and 16 I can guess (I think), but the rest will require effort.
I am going to be so popular with my grandson when I know the answers!
Goodness, what a test! I'll be puzzling over these all week.
Can you also come up with an answer for "Why is a raven like a writing desk?"
(Dear me, what is the correct punctuation for that? Do I need a second question mark or does one suffice for both my question and the riddle?)
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