Enquire within upon everything by Robert Kemp Philp

are compositions, poetical or otherwise, founded upon words, each syllable of which constitutes a _noun_, the whole of each word constituting another noun of a somewhat different meaning from those supplied by its separate syllables. Words which fully answer these conditions are the best for the purposes of charades; though many other words are employed. In writing, the first syllable is termed "_My first_," the second syllable "_My second_," and the complete word "_My whole_." The following is an example of a Poetical Charade: The breath of the morning is sweet; The earth is bespangled with flowers, And buds in a countless array Have ope'd at the touch of the showers. The birds, whose glad voices are ever A music delightful to hear, Seem to welcome the joy of the morning, As the hour of the bridal draws near. What is that which now steals on _my first_, Like a sound from the dreamland of love, And seems wand'ring the valleys among, That they may the nuptials approve? 'Tis a sound which _my second_ explains, And it comes from a sacred abode, And it merrily trills as the villagers throng To greet the fair bride on her road. How meek is her dress, how befitting a bride So beautiful, spotless, and pure! When she weareth _my second_, oh, long may it be Ere her heart shall a sorrow endure. See the glittering gem that shines forth from her hair-- 'Tis _my whole_, which a good father gave; Twas worn by her mother with honour before-- But _she_ sleeps in peace in her grave. Twas her earnest request, as she bade them adieu, That when her dear daughter the altar drew near, She should wear the same gem that her mother had worn When she as a bride full of promise stood there. The answer is _Ear-ring_. The bells _ring_, the sound steals upon the _ear_, and the bride wears an _ear ring_. Charades may be sentimental or humorous, in poetry or prose; they may also be _acted_, in which manner they afford considerable amusement.