A New Riddle Book/Several Comical Questions
Here follows ſeveral comical Queſtions.
question i.
anſwer. Seventeen, each paying four pence farthing.
q. 2. How may a ſtraw be laid upon the ground, that it may not be jumped over? They to whom you propoſe this queſtion, ſhall think it eaſy to be done: if it ſhall come to a wager, lay your ſtraw cloſe to the wall on the ground, and they will ſoon ſee the impoſſible to be done. So yielding the wager loſt, it may occaſion ſome laughter.
q. 3. If a Butcher ſends his ſervant to market, and orders him, with twenty ſhillings, to buy twenty head of ſmall cattle of ſeveral prices: that is to ſay, Weathers at four ſhillings a piece, Ewes at twelve pence, (illegible text)d Lambs at a groat; and to lay out all (illegible text) twenty ſhillings, and to have twenty (illegible text)d, neither more nor leſs, how many of a (illegible text)t muſt there be to compleat the number (illegible text) the aforeſaid money?
anſwer. Two Weathers, nine Ewes, and three lambs.
q.4. To lay a man's right hand upon himſelf, where he cannot touch it with his left, will ſeem ſtrange to thoſe who are unacquainted with the trick; and when they have tried, ſome will be ready to bet; then take their right hand and lay it upon the backſide of their left elbow, and they will ſoon be obliged to yield the wager loſt.
q. 5. How to make two Calves and an ape dance in the middle of the room before Company.—When you propoſe to do this ſome will ſay you have the art of conjuration and that you are going to act the ſecond part of Dr. Fauſtus: others will be curious to ſee what may be done in it: and the better to bring it about, will be apt to lay ſome ſmall wager, that you cannot perform what was promiſed. Now, the wager being laid, riſe from your ſeat, and whereas you promiſed to make two Calves and an ape dance, dance round the room yourſelf and the calves of your legs, and the nap of your neck will dance with you which are what are mentioned,