116 Glenoairn Folk Riddles. 



Was made a wife the first day of her life, 

 And died before she was t)orn. 



This novel presentation of facts can scarcely be cavilled at, for, 

 according to a strict interpretation of terms, Eve nerer «•«.< born, 

 and her wifely relationship was undoubtedly co-incident with the 

 day of her birth. The example is interesting in another connec- 

 tion, for it recalls, and that in a very striking way, two Imes in 

 the song of " Annie Laurie." It will be remembered that the 

 third verse of Lady John Scott's modernised version of that 

 famous lyric commences : — 



Her face it was the fairest 

 That e'er the sun shone on. 



The resemblance here, alike in thought and expression, is extremely 

 close, and leaves one disposed to attribute to imitation rather than 

 to accident. 



I have to thank Mr James Conchie, shoemaker, Moniaive, for 

 the following interesting example, which is also of the Biblical 

 type :— 



In times of old, the Scripture doth record. 

 There lived one who never did offend the Lord, 

 Who spoke the truth and never did sin commit, 

 Yet in God's presence he shall never sit. 



Aus., Balaam's ass. 



My earlier gleanings contained a riddle on the prophet Jonah. 



Here is another, communicated by a (^arsphairn lady, on the same 



subject :^ 



There was a man o' Adam's race 

 Which had a strange dwelling place, 

 'Twas neither in Heaven, earth, nor hell, 

 Now tell me where that man did dwell. 



A comparison of the two forms is not without interest. 



Of my additional examples from animated nature, perhaps the 

 most valuable, alike from a zoological and an antiquarian point of 

 view, is the following : — 



What's as white's milk, 



And as sleek's silk, 



And hops Hke a mill shillin' ? 



