VICTORIAN PARLOR GAMES

During the mid 1800s to the early 1900s, America was in a period of history called the Victorian Era. After the meal at a dinner party, guests would retire to the parlor to participate in various games and activities prepared by the host and hostess. Amid the fun antics of play-acting and charades resided brainteasers and mathematical puzzles. Below are examples of actual problems posed for evening entertainment in the parlors of 19th century America. See if you are as witty as the Victorians were.



THE BLIND ABBOT AND THE MONKS
THE LANDLORD TRICKED
MAGICAL ADDITION
THE CLEVER LAWYER
NOTHING LOST BY SUBTRACTION

To keep within the Victorian spirit, all puzzles have remained in their original text:
Northrop, Henry Davenport. Games, Puzzles, Charades, Recitations and other Home Amusements.
Washington D.C.: D.Z. Howell. 1903. Pages 65-75.