THE LITTLE 
 
 WITH MA3Y ENGRAVINOS. 
 
 WORCESTER: 
 PUBLISHED BY J, GROUT, Jr. 
 
o-^MJM. Little Riddlcr. -IHfe^ 
 
 We are little airy creatures, 
 
 All of different voice and features'; 
 
 One of us in glass is set ; 
 
 One of us you'll find in jet ; 
 
 One of us is set in tin ; 
 
 And the fourth a box within ; 
 
 If the last you should pursue, 
 
 It can never fly from you. 
 
 I often call forth impressions of fear. 
 And the eye I sometimes can beduw with a tear ; 
 I also can make it with pleasure look bright, 
 And cause it to beam with a sense of delight. 
 Again, I am certain it's often been found, 
 That I culture the mind instead of the ground ; 
 
 1. 
 
 2. 
 
4 THE LITTLE RTDDLER. 
 
 But, alas ! I no longer must herald out praise, 
 Or think that I merit a garland of bays ; 
 To wisdom or virtue I make no pretence, 
 And I do not possess one idea of sense. 
 
 When innocence first had its dwelling on earth, 
 In my first lovely form it alighted ; 
 
 And still to this time, from the hour of its birth, 
 In my first it has greatly delighted. 
 
 My second's a part of a smart lady's dress, 
 
 Yet on age it may also be found ; 
 Again, 'tis a garb when the heart feels distress: — 
 
 My whole will with pleasure abound. 
 
 4. 
 
 At once to describe my name and my race, 
 I often attend on the king in the chase ; 
 I also can find 'tis equally pleasant 
 To wait on a 'squire or even a peasant ; 
 
THE LITTLE RIDDLER. 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 But when I conceit myself most highly bless'd, 
 Is when by a lady I'm fondly caress'd : 
 Yet many a child seems to take a delight 
 To treat me with constant ill-humor and spite. 
 On me you may always with safty depend, 
 And consider me both your protector and friend. 
 
 6. 
 
 I have no head, and a tail I lack, 
 
 But oft have arras, and legs, and back ; 
 
 I inhabit the palace, the tavern, the cot — - 
 
 'Tis a beggarly residence where I am not. 
 
 If a monarch were present, (I tell you no fable,) 
 
 I still should be plac'd at the head of the table. 
 
6 THE EIDDLER. 
 
 6. 
 
 The begining of eternity, 
 The end of time and space, 
 
 The begining of every end, 
 And the end of every place. 
 
 7. 
 
 With so much art my tender limbs are wrought, 
 That ere my frame was to perfection brought, 
 I tried the nicest hand and deepest thought ; 
 But see what fury reigns in human breast ; 
 How soon by man are virtuous things opprest ? 
 I'm close confin'd within a narrow space, 
 Where I have only room to show my face ; 
 There like a branded villian, must appear, 
 And large black letters on my visage wear. 
 A heavy load my new-formed limbs sustain, 
 And bear the girding thong, or cruel chain. 
 As sharpest trials truest virtue show, 
 
THE LITTLE RIDDLER. 
 
 7 
 
 By this oppression I more virtutious grow ; 
 
 To ease me of the burden I sustain, 
 
 I labor hard, nor should I strive in vain ; 
 
 But men undo what I with pain have done, 
 
 And make my task like Sisyphus's stone. 
 
 Yet still some signal favors I enjoy, 
 
 My frequent repetitions never cloy ! 
 
 I twice a day repeat the self-same thing, 
 
 Yet I each moment fresh advices bring. 
 
 Make what you've heard a thousand times amuse, 
 
 And still the same dull story pass for news ; 
 
 To the devout I'm oft a friendly aid; 
 
 I still assist in all appointments made, 
 
 Send some to church, and some to masquerade. 
 
 Though hard I labor, yet my hands move slow, 
 
 And though I never stir my feet, I go ; 
 
 Men to my reckoning things of value trust, 
 
 And though I ne'er told twenty, I can boast 
 
 No banker ever kept account more just. 
 
 Of what you spend I always give the sum, 
 
 But never tell you how much more's to come. 
 
 My first is a fragrant herb of foreign growth, 
 and universally admired ; my second is nearly 
 
8 
 
 THE LITTLE RIDDLER. 
 
 my whole and though one part of his face is 
 generally clean, he is a very black sort of a gen- 
 tleman ; without my whole you could not par- 
 toke of my first ; and there is scarcely a house 
 in the United States where it is not to be seen. 
 
 The brute that's most despised by man, 
 Yet does him all the good be can ; 
 Who bore the greatest Prince on earth. 
 That gave to righeousness new birth ; 
 Who sometimes doefi o'er death prevail. 
 And health restore when doctors fail. 
 
THE LITTLE RIDDLER. 9 
 
 10. 
 
 My body is quite thin, 
 And has nothing within, 
 
 Neither have I head, face, nor eye ; 
 Yet a tail I have got 
 Fall as long as — what not ? 
 
 And up, without wings, I can fly. 
 
 11. 
 
 From the dark and dismal cell, 
 
 Where subterranean beings dwell, 
 
 To towns and cities was I brought, 
 
 And rules of civil life was taught; 
 
 In palaces I oft reside, 
 
 And dwell among the sons of pride ; 
 
 Address the great, the rich I fear not, 
 
 And cringe to those for whom I care not 
 
 Balls and assemblies I frequent, 
 
 And to the ladies I present 
 
 The courtly bow and compliment. 
 
to 
 
 THE LITTLE KIDDLER. 
 
 Thus I attained to lofty station. 
 
 High above all men in the nation ; 
 
 And of all subjects I alone 
 
 Dare to take place above the crown. 
 
 But, good, as well as great, I shed 
 
 Comfort and joy on each man's head. 
 
 The poor as well as rich I warm, 
 
 And guard and keep them safe from harm. 
 
 But such the fickleness of fate, 
 
 Such the false faith of man ingrate, 
 
 I am despised when I am old, 
 
 And perish in the rain and cold. 
 
 DoonVd by those ills my life to end> 
 
 From which I others did defend. 
 
 12. 
 
 "My head and tail both equal are* 
 My middle slender as a bee ; 
 
 Whether I stand on head or heel, 
 'Tis all the same to you or me* 
 
 But if my head should be cut of?) 
 
 The matter's true, although 'tis strange, 
 My head and body sever'd thus, 
 
 Immediately to nothing change, 
 
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmamm 
 
 THE LITTLE RIDDLER. n 
 
 Since Diogenes' time I'm the least habitation 
 That e'er was contrived in a civilized nation ; 
 So far and so wide sure no mortal e'er strolls, 
 For I visit all places between the two poles. 
 
 14. 
 
 Myjirst is somewhat soft and yellow. 
 
 Especially in spring ; 
 My next a busy meddling fellow, 
 
 Forever on the wing ; 
 
12 
 
 THE LITTLE EIDDLER. 
 
 My whole, like an inconstant rover, 
 From fair to fair one flies, 
 
 Till, his career of pleasure over, 
 He drooping, sinks and dies. 
 
 15. 
 
 There's not a creature lives beneath the sky, 
 
 Can secrets keep so faithfully as I ; 
 
 All things for safty are to rae consigned 
 
 Although I often leave them far behind ; 
 
 I never act but by another's will, 
 
 And what he should command I must fulfil 
 
 16. 
 
 Curses and blessings from my first proceed, 
 
 As very often we in history read ; 
 
 The reeling sot, with half-closed eyes, 
 
 In vain t'effect my second tries ; 
 
 With my whole you'll clearly note, 
 
 A good charade is seldom wrote. 
 
THE LITTLE RIDDLER. 
 
 13 
 
 17. 
 
 Destined by fate to guard the crown, 
 
 Aloft in air I reign, 
 Above the monarch's haughty frown, 
 
 Or Statesman's plotting brain. 
 In hostile fields, when danger's near, 
 
 I'm found amidst alarms; 
 In crowds where peaceful beaux appear, 
 
 I instant fly to arms. 
 
 18. 
 
 Though my firsts a simple thing, 
 
 Yet many hundred from it spring. 
 
 To men and animals a treat, 
 
 For each will freely of it eat. 
 
 Now I declare it is a flower 
 
 That sweetly scents the verdant bower. 
 
14 
 
 THE LITTLE RLDDLER. 
 
 And when Aurora's tints are spread, 
 
 Behold my second leave its bed ; 
 
 Undaunted by a sense of fear, 
 
 Its courage now will soon appear ; 
 
 For, when contesting for a prize, 
 
 It never yields, though sometimes dies. — 
 
 My vjhole, I now beg leave to say, 
 
 Is always deck'd in gay array. 
 
 19. 
 
 NATIVE of Cashmere, in each fragrant grove, 
 I reign, the pride and empress of the spring ; 
 
 And on my feast the black- eyed maidens love 
 The gay profusion of my buds to fling. 
 
THE LITTLE RIDDLER. 
 
 15 
 
 These are the fair resemblances of youth, 
 
 Which with its pleasures swiftly fade away ; 
 
 But my undying odor, like firm truth, 
 
 Nor suffers change, nor ever knows decay. 
 
 First you're to learn, I am a living creature, 
 But yet, observe, I don,t possess one feature ; 
 I'm black, I'm white, I'm yellow, red and brown ; 
 Sometimes I'm very small, sometimes well 
 grown ; 
 
 Slender and delicate I oft appear, 
 
 And frequently a course plump figure wear ; 
 
 In rags am seen, and such a dirty plight, 
 
 All own I am not fit to come in sight ; 
 
 Yet oft in gold and silver I appear, 
 
 Adorn'd with braids of lovely color' d hair, 
 
 And pearls and gems of richest lustre wear. 
 
 Now that my shape, complexion, dress, are told, 
 
 My different qualities I'll next unfold. 
 
 Vice, Folly, Vanity, from me proceed, 
 
 And I perform each prudent, virtuous deed ; 
 
 In acts of sweet humanity employed ; 
 
 Yet through my means is innocence destroy 'd ; 
 
 The greatest earthly blessings I bestow, 
 
 And I create unutterable woe. 
 
 I've travelled into every foreign land, 
 
 And can the languages of all command ; 
 
 20. 
 
16 
 
 THE LITTLE RIDDLER. 
 
 Yet, though so learned, I may be thought a 
 dunce, 
 
 When I avow I can't my name pronounce. 
 Though of wondr'ous share of power possessed, 
 — For men with crowns and sceptres 1 invest, 
 Give wealth and titles, pensions, or a place, 
 Can doom to penury, or foul disgrace — 
 Yet, against destiny, I vainly strive, 
 Spite of my pow'r I've oft been burnt alive. 
 
 21. 
 
 Three letters together compose my whole 
 name, 
 
 Read backwards or forwards, is ever the same, 
 I walk upon four feet, improving the ground, 
 And furnish you clothes and food the year 
 round. 
 
 Though but small my size and figure, 
 
 Yet I am in general use ; 
 To every blessing I contribute, 
 
 To all happiness conduce. 
 
THE LITTLE RIDDLEK. 
 
 17 
 
 No delight exists without me ; 
 
 I attend each beau and belle, 
 Also grace the shepherd's cottage, 
 
 And the lonely cell. 
 
 From a gracious king I'm banish'd, 
 In his court I'm never seen ; 
 
 But I with redoubled duty 
 Daily wait upon a queen. 
 
 I belong to men of learning, 
 
 Dwell with genius, taste, and sense . 
 Yet to every simple blockhead 
 
 I my friendly aid dispense. 
 
 I promote the noblest feeling-, 
 And from virtue ne'er remove. 
 
 I was never in a passion, 
 But I always am in love. 
 
 I partake of each amusement, 
 
 And of pleasure have my share ; 
 
 Yet am oft observed in trouble, 
 And can never fly from care. 
 
 Stranger to malicious bosoms, 
 
 Gentle breasts my influence find ; 
 
 Yet though in your hearts you place me, 
 I am never in your mind. 
 
 I am ever in amazement, 
 
 Deal in wonder and surprise ; 
 
 Never in your sight appearing, 
 Yet I'm here before your eyes, 
 
THE LITTLE RIDDLER. 
 
 23. 
 
 For vigilance and courage true 
 
 I've no superious — equrls few ; 
 
 Which makes me by the industrious prized, 
 
 But by the indolent despised ; 
 
 Bold and alert, I meet the foe ; 
 
 In all engagements valor show ; 
 
 And if he prove to proud to yield, 
 
 One falls before we quit the field. 
 
 At theatres I'm always seen, 
 
 Also in silent walks of green ; 
 
 At Operas, Astley's, Sadler's Wells, 
 
 Frequent in rooms of beaus and belles ; 
 
 Though sometimes told I am not right, 
 
 Yet many view me with delight ; 
 
 In music I range o'er the land, 
 
 For in myself I am a band ; 
 
 I the dulcet flute combine, 
 
 And to the pipe my powers I join. 
 
 24, 
 
THE LITTLE R1DDLER. 
 
 19 
 
 In courts of law I'm a credential, 
 
 King's Bench and Pleas a grand essential ; 
 
 The polar powers I retain, 
 
 Sound in the ear I long retain ; 
 
 In battle's rage I strike the foe ; 
 
 Not laboring, yet a drudge I go ; 
 
 Oft do I raise the grateful voice, 
 
 And make the heart with glee rejoice : 
 
 Thus I am proved hie et ubique, 
 
 Perhaps my portrait soon will strike ye ; 
 
 But if not so, I give resource, 
 
 Look to your watch, 'twill wind my course. 
 
 25. 
 
 I am in the fire, but not in the flame, 
 I belong to the master but not to the dame, 
 I am in the church, but not in the steeple, 
 I belong to the parson, but not to the people. 
 
 26. 
 
 In spring I lcok gay, 
 
 Deck'd in comely array ; 
 
 In summer more clothing I wear ; 
 As colder it grows, 
 I throw of my clothes, 
 
 And in winter quite naked appear. 
 
20 
 
 THE LITTLE RIDDLER. 
 
 27. 
 
 My first, in the land where a Bourbon is king, 
 Denotes one's own personal right to a thing ; 
 To my next, victuals, felons, and gold are con- 
 fided ; 
 
 By my whole some have thought our whole race 
 is derided. 
 
 28. 
 
 Proud, noble, gen'rous, handsome, free, 
 Few are so much caress'd as me, 
 The statesman, wit, the prince and peer, 
 Full often in my train appear, 
 
THE LITTLE RTDDLER. 
 
 21 
 
 Like a first minister of state, 
 
 They my important fiat wait. 
 
 I thousands give ; and, in an hour, 
 
 Can take away, such is my pow'r. 
 
 But though thus by the great caress'd, 
 
 I'm by the lowest ofc oppress'd. 
 
 A wretch, who is not worth a sous, 
 
 Can what he pleases make me do ; 
 
 And in his hands I'm oft a tool 
 
 To make the wisest man a fool. 
 
 Life's sad vicissitudes I know, 
 
 Am sometimes high, and sometimes low, 
 
 In early youth, of servants I 
 
 Have many ; yet before I die, 
 
 A servant do myself become 
 
 To menial slaves ; such is my doom. 
 
 Children, I pray, my name declare, 
 
 For surely without me 
 You neither would be tall nor fair, 
 
 Nor could you clearly see. 
 
 Graceful you never would be deem'd 
 
 Nor aimable, nor smart; 
 And tho' you might be much esteem'd, 
 
 You'd never gain a heart. 
 
 To cards and dancing I'm a friend. 
 
 At balls I'm often one ; 
 And though on vice I ne'er attend, 
 
 Virtue I always shun. 
 
 29. 
 
22 
 
 THE LITTLE RIDDLEB. 
 
 30. 
 
 My first, although 'tis undermining. 
 
 Is very useful in refining ; 
 
 And prince and peasant wilTreveal, 
 
 That each from it great comfort feel. 
 
 My second, it must be contest, 
 
 Occasions us secure to rest ; 
 
 My whole has power to end all strife, 
 
 And can deprive you of your life. 
 
 O 1 
 
 ol. 
 
 A Monosyllable I am, — a reptile, I vow ; 
 If you put me together, I'm syllables two ; 
 I'm English I'm Latin, I'm one or the other, 
 What's English for one half, is Latin for t'other. 
 
THE LITTLE fill) D LEE. 
 
 23 
 
 When this earth was divided in parts, 
 
 My first chose a tropical seat ; 
 Where the sun sheds its rays and its darts, 
 
 Till the earth is parched up with its heat. 
 
 My second all over the globe, 
 
 In various hues may be found ; 
 Sometimes in a fine ermined robe, 
 
 And, again, with a sackcloth tied round. 
 
 My whole, iu Majestical shape, 
 Is pleasing to all seamen's eyes ; 
 
 Yet it's frequently seen at the Cape, 
 And may justly be reekon'd a prize. 
 
 33. What do we, when, to increase the effect, 
 we diminish the cause ? 
 
 34. Which letter in the alphabet is most use- 
 ful to a deaf old woman ? 
 
 35. Why is a dog biting his tail, like a good 
 economist ? 
 
2\ 
 
 THE LITTDE RIDDLER. 
 
 36. In which month do ladies talk least ? 
 
 37. What is the difference between fish alive, 
 and live fish ! 
 
 38. Why is an old woman who cannot work, 
 like a young woman who can work and does 
 work ? 
 
 39. Why is a feeble old man like a nail driven 
 up to the head in a post ? 
 
 1 Vow T els. 
 
 2 Books. 
 
 3 Childhood. 
 
 4 Dog. 
 
 5 Chair. 
 
 6 E. 
 
 7 Clock. 
 
 8 Teakettle. 
 
 9 Ass. 
 
 10 Kite. 
 
 11 Hat. 
 
 12 8. 
 
 13 Palanquin. 
 
 14 Butterfly. 
 
 15 Key. 
 
 16 Inkstand. 
 
 17 Hat. 
 
 18 Peacock. 
 
 19 Rose. 
 
 20 Hand. 
 
 21 Ewe. 
 
 22 E. 
 
 23 Cock. 
 
 24 Watch. 
 
 25 R. 
 
 26 Tree. 
 
 27 Monkey. 
 
 28 Racehorse. 
 
 29 A. 
 
 30 Firelock, 
 
 31 Toad. 
 
 32 In di am an. 
 
 33 Snuff the candle. 
 
 34 A — It makes ear hear. 
 
 35 He makes both ends meet. 
 
 36 February. — It is the shortest month. 
 
 37 There is a difference. 
 
 38 One is notable, the other not able. 
 
 39 He is in-firra. 
 
. HAS FOR SALE, AT HIS 
 
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