Harper's Young People, May 4, 1880 Part 8

W. T. CHAFIN.--The authors.h.i.+p of the _Arabian Nights_ is unknown.

Antoine Galland, who was employed by Colbert to collect ma.n.u.scripts in the East, first made the work known in Europe about the end of the seventeenth century. From internal evidence the middle of the fifteenth century has been fixed upon as the probable period of the composition of these wonderful tales.

R. E. S. VANSANT.--There are about 38,000 distinct words in the English language. About 23,000 of these are of Anglo-Saxon origin. The vocabulary of the new edition of _Webster's Unabridged Dictionary_ contains about 118,600 words, including derivatives, compounds, etc.; 3000 or 4000, however, are all that are in common use for oral or written communication. The Old Testament contains 5642 different words, Milton uses about 8000, and Shakspeare about 15,000. Only about 300 words are in ordinary use for telegraphic business messages.

PUZZLES FROM YOUNG CONTRIBUTORS.

No. 1.

 

ENIGMA.

My first is in lost, but not in found.

My second is in earth, but not in ground.

My third is in no, but not in yes.

My fourth is in doubt, but not in guess.

My fifth is in stir, but not in mix.

My sixth is in set, but not in fix.

My seventh is in ocean, but not in land.

My eighth is in rise, but not in stand.

My whole is a modern painter's name, Emblazoned high on the roll of fame.

NORTH STAR.

No. 2.

WORD SQUARE.

First, an adverb of time. Second, to possess. Third, without end.

Fourth, a Roman Emperor.

EDWIN.

No. 3.

NUMERICAL CHARADE.

I am composed of 18 letters.

My 10, 2, 18, 17 is indisputable.

My 4, 3, 14, 8, 15 is a color.

My 1, 8, 7 is a boy's name.

My 13, 5, 9, 8 is a flower.

My 16, 12, 6 is arid.

My 6, 5, 11 is a p.r.o.noun.

My whole is a noted event of the Revolutionary war.

W. R. S.

No. 4.

ENIGMA.

My first is in joy, but not in sorrow.

My second is in lend, but not in borrow.

My third is in fast, but not in slow.

My fourth is in whiff, but not in blow.

My fifth is in whole, but not in half.

My sixth is in heifer, but not in calf.

My seventh is in song, but not in hymn.

My eighth is in hoop, but not in rim.

My ninth is in fancy, but not in whim.

My hidden whole, when it is found, Is the name of a statesman much renowned.

ARTHUR.

No. 5.

DIAMOND PUZZLE.

In merit. A song. A boy's name. A part of the body. In merit.

M. E. N.

No. 6.

DOUBLE ACROSTIC.

A promenade. A Swiss canton. A feast. Fidelity. To enlighten. To compute. Answer--Primals form the first name and finals the second name of a celebrated man of the sixteenth century.

W. F. B.

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN NO. 24.