THE RIDDLER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2390, 21 December 1899, Page 50

THE RIDDLER.

The central row of asterisks represents tna name of a seasonable entertainment. With the letters contained in it raplao the remaining asterisks so that the veit\cal lines signify— "to lament," "a measure," " a separate article," "a kind of broom," " a designation," "' an atom," ano "a sign." £OJ2. Double Acrostic :— 1. A rise iv breai my fitvt will well explain. 2. With you in front I follow in the train. 3. A punster pcet. and a means of living. 4. And you may find the ease that 1 am giving. 9043. Charade :- Of quatterdecks you've heard, I wis, My first has lost one quarter ; My text of fire suggettive is, 'J hough nit of ftte and slaughter : My total brings good Christmas roaming, With summer br.ght And long soft gloaming, Sunny day and balmy night. Answer* to Kltitilcs Published Dec. t: 9035. 11E-AR.RANGEMKNT: —

903 G. Enigma :— Ths le ter T.

THE BIG PRIZE TURKEY. "A Merry Christmas, Bob," said Scrooge, with, an earnestness that could uot be mistaken, as he clapped him on the back. "'A merrier Christmas, my good fellow, than I have given you for many a year. I'll raise your salary, and we will discuss your affairs this afternoon over a bowl of smoking bishop. Make up the fires and buy another coalscultle, Bob Cratchit.'' And as to the big prize turkey which the regenerated Scrooge sent to Camden Town, do we not all. know what soct of bird it was? . TUaA^turkey never cotild have stood upon its legs, Mr Dickens says. They rnusi hava suttpped short off like sticks of sealing wax. How they managed to cook and eat that phenomenon the author doesn't say, as it v/a« twice the size of Tiny Tim. Yet they did. it somehow, and it was a mercy if the family (previously half starved) didn't all fall ill of the unwonted gorging of that wonderful Christmas Day. Even assuming (as we easily may) that the transmutation of an old skinflint like Scrooge, into a high priest of charity was quite beyond the common run of modern miracles, and thai; dinner* from such sources are as rare as they arp welcome, it still remains true that human nature is apt to bo at its best at Chri3tmae, (specially in England, where, of all countries in Christendom, most is made of that gentle and kindly Holiday. Yet, sad to tell, the very jollity and generosity of Christmas leads to regrettable excesses. People eat and drink too much, and pulfer accordingly. The roast and the boiled, th" minca pies, 1 ' the plum pviddings, the tr«:ner.doiu flushings of wine, beer, and other beveroges ; thepe things overload the stomach, and give the digestion more work than it can, do, and punishment follows. For Nature has no favourites; she treats those who violate her laws on the 25th December exactly as though they had committed the offence on the first Monday iv August." And a3 to the chronic dyspeptics, of whom there are enough in this old island to cram ;■!! the park*! in London, they catch it fearfully about Christmas time. For, in spito of nil warnings, they will go in for heavy meals • and take the chance 3. Often the penalty is an acute attack which may threaten life, and nearly always weeks of pain and digestive disorders, whereof there are as. many kinds as tire body has organs and functions. ■ • To them Christmas may bo "merry" for an hour or two ; then their merriment turns into misery, as October fog» and rains succeed a hot hummer. Now, the writer is far from advising a free indulgence in the gustatory and bibulous festivities of the country's most popular holiday, but there is no use protesting against the fixed resolution of the people to enjoy themselves on that occasion. The customs and traditions of centuries are behind it, and you might as well whistle in the teeth of a north-east gale. As a prophylactic and a cure for the evils alluded to, J can only recommend the universal use of Mother Seigel'H Syrup, known to all as the best stimulant and digestant in the world.

In a letter dated January 10, 1899, a gentleman of Birmingham, who loves the pleasures of the table, and has money enough to buy whatever he wants, writes thus: — "It is only fair that I should thank you, as I do with all my heart, for the good done me by Mother Seigel's Syrup. For years I have been vexed with indigestion, and always had a tormenting spell of it after any public banquet or uncommon intake of rich food. Still, 1 was seldom able to resist temptation, although I understood perfectly well what yielding to it was sure to cost me. I have sought a preventive or a cure in vain at the hands of the best physicians, all of whom assured me that there was but one way — namely, to live on a low diet, and let luxuries alone. ' ■ " But this did not suit me, and I broke through the regulations frequently, with the inevitable results. However, when I began to use Mother Seigel's Syrup I had (almost) a license to do ps I pleased. After an inviting but most risky dinner last Christmas I took a double dose of 'Mother Seigel,' and scarcely suffered at all. I told my experience, and a dozen friends adopted this amazing remedy right off. I am convinced that, with :j,: j , little Caution and a dose of Mother Seigel's Syrup now and then, one may bid defiance to dyspepsia and the abominable ailments it sets up. Thanking you a thousand time 3, I am, yours truly, John Macfahlane."With these- facts wo wish a merry (and a healthy) Christmas to the British fie^ls-

New MM lies. (41. Missing Letters :— • * * * * * * # * # * * ♦ * * • « * * * « * * *

1+ Jt A JN -JL MADAM II A X X R A Z XJ R * ARRAY D U »' IS I N X A 11 S ARENA TRYSTOTEMJCDA I OPINE TIARA X N R O J, HAREHEALSOLE& AROMA OP X U A R O 15 I N L E V E I, 14 N. I T S E It 14 «) T MANSE SALTS

W. .DIAGONAL : — Hospitable^ tYvvan i o. n 1 opPos ition re solution 5 ". ? V JS ! i'^HnKth^ uegli i; X ire (i c o m p a r i Son b y a t c m a tic ucurr llousy