satisfactory, which divides them into answerable and
unanswerable, and, under each of these, into resemblant and
differential.

For instance: let the four classes be distinguished with the initials
of those four terms, A. R., A. D., U. R., and U. D.; you will find
that the Infinite Possible Conundrum (so to speak) can always be
reduced under one of those four heads. Using symbols, as they do in
discussing syllogism--indeed, by the way, a conundrum is only a
jocular variation in the syllogism, an intentional fallacy for fun
(read Whately's _Logic_, Book III., and see if it isn't so)--using
symbols, I say, you have these four "figures:"--

I. (A. R.) Why is A like B? (answerable): as, Why is a gentleman who
gives a young lady a young dog, like a person who rides rapidly up
hill? A. Because he gives a gallop up (gal-a-pup).

_Sub-variety_; depending upon a violation of something like the
"principle of excluded middle," a very fallacy of a fallacy; such as
the ancient "nigger-minstrel!" case, Why is an elephant like a brick?
A. Because neither of them can climb a tree.

II. (A. D.) Why is A _unlike_ B? (answerable) usually put thus: What
is the difference between A and B? (Figure I., if worded in the same
style, would become: What is the similarity between A and B?): as,
What is the difference between the old United-States Bank and the
Fulton Ferry-boat signals in thick weather? A. One is a fog whistle,
and the other is a Whig fossil.

III. (U. R.) Why is A like B? (unanswerable): as Charles Lamb's
well-known question, Is that your own hare, or a wig?

IV. (U. D.) Why is A _unlike_ B? (unanswerable): i. e., What is the
difference, &c, as, What is the difference between a fac simile and a
sick family; or between hydraulics and raw-hide licks?

But let me not diverge too far into frivolity. All the hopefully
difficult questions Dr. Hicok set down and classified. He compiled a
set of rules on the subject, and indeed developed a whole philosophy
of it, by which he struck off, as soluble, questions or classes of
them. Some he thought out himself; others were now and then answered
in some learned book, that led the way through the very heart of one
or another of his biggest mill-stones.

So it was really none too much time that he had; and, in truth, he did
not actually decide upon his three questions, until just a week before
the fearful day when he was to put them.

It came at last, as every day of reckoning surely