It would often be
interesting if we could trace
back to their
origin many
of the best known puzzles.
Some of them would be found to have been
first
propounded in very ancient times, and there can be very little doubt
that
while a certain number may have improved with age, others will have
deteriorated and even lost their original point and bearing.
It is
curious to find in the Solvamhall records our familiar friend the
climbing snail puzzle, and it will be seen that in its modern form it
has
lost its original subtlety.
On
the occasion of some great
rejoicings at the
Castle, Sir
Huwas
superintending the flying of flags and banners, when somebody pointed
out
that a wandering snail was climbing up the flagstaff. One wise old
fellow
said:—
"They
do say, Sir Knight,
albeit I hold such
stories as mere
fables, that
the snail doth climb upwards three feet in the daytime, but slippeth
back
two feet by night."
"Then,"
replied Sir Hugh,
"tell us how many days
it will take
this snail
to get from the bottom to the top of the pole."
"By
bread and water, I much
marvel if the same can
be done
unless we take
down and measure the staff."
"Credit
me," replied the
knight, "there is no need
to measure
the staff."
Can
the reader give the answer
to this version of
a puzzle
that we all
know so well?
See
answer
