I had rather have a fool to make me merry, than experience to make me sad.-As You Like It.

THE

MODERN JOE MILLER

CONTAINING

NEW AND OLD STORIES, JEUX D'ESPRITS,
BON MOTS, PUNS, BULLS, RIDDLES, CHARADES,
PUZZLES, MAGIC, CONJURING, ETC,

FREDERICK WARNE AND CO.

BEDFORD STREET, COVENT GARDEN.
NEW YORK: SCRIBNER, WELFORD AND CO.

268. c. 140.

LONDON:

SAVILL, EDWARDS AND CO., PRINTERS, CHANDOS STREET,

COVENT GARDEN.

ADVERTISEMENT.

So far as it is possible for novelty to go in the matter of pun-making and story-telling, a fair proportion of the following pages will be found NEW. Du reste, such judgment as the Editor possesses has been conscientiously exercised in making selections from familiar materials. This latest-born of the sire of a huge progeny believes he will do no violence to the name it has been his glory to inherit. He has endeavoured to walk with a reverential heartiness in the steps of his renowned parent, striving always to imitate the dignity of his merriment, and the wise morality that shines through his graceful fooling. It was said of Leigh Hunt's puns that they made one think as well as laugh. If the same be said, though seldom, of this little book, it may boast of having fulfilled the most essential of the conditions that dictated its composition.