Original Enigma No 3., from the May 12, 1837 Phoenix newspaper. (Spoiler alert: the comments will, I expect, have the solution at some point, so avoid them until you’ve solved the enigma, or give up and want to peek.)
….
“I am a word of eleven letters, and am a subject of much conversation.
My 11, 10, 8, and 7 is an appendage belonging to a flower.
My 5, 4 and 3, is an instrument used to stop the mouth.
My 11, 10, 8, 4, and 7 is a vapour.
My 6, 11, 10, 4, 10, and 8 is possession in land.
My 8, 11, 10, 8, 6, and 7 is value.
My 10, 8, 4, and 7 is used for carrying burdens.
My 1, 4, and 10 is what all persons do.
My 3, 1,and 7, is a precious stone.
My 5, 4, 5 and 8 is a pledge.
My 11, 4, 5, and 1 is an herb.
My 11, 10, 4, 3 and 8 is a place of fashionable amusement.
My 7, 8, 4, and 10 is food.
My 2, 1, 4, and 10 is what all women should be.
My 7, 4, 2, 5 and 1 is disease.
My 7, 1, 4, and 2 is an epithet often used.
My 1, 7, 7, and 4 is a lady’s name.
My 4, 2, 9, 8, 10, 10, and 1 is also a lady’s name.
My 10, 4, 7, and 1 is to conquer.
My 7, 1, and 9 is what the women like best.
My 9, 4, and 3 is a small horse.
My whole is what old women and some young ones talk about most, in my opinion.
C******.
all I'm saying this time is
an instrument to stop the month should not be “month”– there’s a typo. No other hints or the solution — time to put a gag on me.
oops.
Corrected. My typo, not in the original.
Anyone do this besides me?
I’m wondering if anyone else is enjoying these enigmas? I was hoping someone else would have something to say! I’d like to know what others think. If one approaches them methodically, they are a lot easier than I thought they would be. The only kind of word puzzle I’ve ever been successful at, in fact — no crossword puzzles for me, thank you!!
Chris, if no one else likes these, feel free to email me any you find and not bore others with them.
A dynamic of this site
I wondered the same thing Andie. Although, the 190 or so views (I think they represent unique views?) suggest they have more interest behind them than boredom. So, if you are the only viewer who solves and publishes your solutions, I think it all is an interesting dynamic of this site, as are the variety of other interesting pieces and comments. I’m glad Chris found and publishes the enigmas. (I bet he and Lise probably saw The Imitation Game).
As we get 'em
I’ll publish them as I find them.
I usually get a few, then get distracted or stuck and move on to other things. This one seems a bit easier than the first.
Feel free to solve them here (i.e., show the solution) after a while, if no one else does. It might help those who are struggling with a clue.
And, Vidda, no, haven’t seen Imitation Game. Yet. : )
Worth it
Knightley and Cumberbatch are great in it :~)
I look forward to seeing solutions if (when) they are posted.
easy
This one was particularly easy — solves in the first three clues. Keep posting them though, I enjoy it. Thanks.
There's more to these delightful puzzles than the answer
I enjoy these old word puzzles on a bunch of levels. They introduce us to the local people 178 years ago who walked the same streets as us, but had precious few sources of amusement. I’ve enjoyed trying to get into their heads. It’s spring of 1837, before there were any co-ed colleges. In that context, we’re challenged to imagine “what all women should be”, “what the women like best”, two ladies’ names, and finally “what old women and some young ones talk about most.” It’s a different culture. Put another way, we’re going to look embarrassingly shallow to the modern people walking down Main Street in 2193.
When the iBrattleboro Wiki returns “soon” (https://www.ibrattleboro.com/braintrust/), these enigmas would make a great entry.