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Last updated 6/10/2026

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'Table Talk', a selection of sayings attributed to John Selden by his amanuensis, Richard Milward, first published posthumously in 1689, referred to 'a Juggler's paper' which transformed into various shapes.

According to an 1898 edition of the work edited by' I. G.', (see footnote 131 on page 166 below) the original MS read:

'Religion is made a Juggler's paper; now 'tis a Horse; now 'tis a Lanthorn; now 'tis a Boat; now 'tis a Man. To serve Ends, Religion is turned into all Shapes.'

However, while 'Boat' was written in the original MSS, EP (Editio Princeps ie the editor of the 1689 first edition) misread it as 'Boar', and this error was carried over into subsequent editions.

This 'Juggler's paper' sounds very like Troublewit, except that Troublewit as we know it cannot form the figures of a horse or a man. This may therefore be a reference to another form of Troublewit which is otherwise unknown to us, or to the known form of Troublewit but somewhat enhanced by the author's imagination.

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The 1898 edition

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The 1689 edition

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