THE LOAFER IN THE STREET.

Press, Volume XIX, Issue 2815, 10 May 1872, Page 3

THE LOAFER IN THE STREET.

" A Widower, aged 50, with two children, others nearly grown up, of good family, whose income is nearly £100 a year from a respectable permanent situation (no other means), who hopes himself to be a Christian man, is seeking a wife about his own age, I who is a really Christian woman (Church of j England preferred), there being no peace and j comfort in this world without true religion ; she must possess a fair fortune, and be fond of home, charitable ; widow not preferred, but one may suit who is not fond of gaiety. Advertiser would make a devoted, loving husband, and try all in his power to make home happy to an affectionate, sensible wife, who would appreciate all the kindness and attention that is possible for any man to give through God's blessings, whose throne is his own fireside, with the cheerfulness of a partner wboseviews are similar to his own. Editor has address. Notices to the number of this advertisement must be made in this paper from those who think it may suit them." It won't do, old man ,• you've invested i more than your shilling's worth in adver- | tising, but your chance is small, very small. I admire your impudence. I envy it. Amongthe enticing allurements tomatrimony with which the pages of the "Matrimonial News" are redolent, the Christian widower stands out in bold relief. Why a man aged fifty, with two children, and others (mark the others) nearly grown up, and whose screw he candidly admits, does not amount to £100 a year, should take tbe present opportunity of advertising his miserable position, is more than I can understand. So far as I can judge, the only attractions he possesses are that he is of good family, and hopes himself to be a Christian man. His charmer -must be possessed of a fair fortune, be fond of home, and charitable. 1 should rather think so. There is some charity left in this world, but I question very much whether any lady whose pecuniary lot may have been cast in pleasant places, will be charitable enough to accept the addresses of this aged christian, while so many more attractive Richards are in the field. '* A respectable girl, aged 23, wishes to hear from a stout country blacksmith, with a view to marriage. Must be steady. Editor has address." Some of the foregoing advertisements may 1 ad your readers to conclude that the aspi-

rants to matrimony are actuated by a mercenary spirit. The above quotation will disabuse their minds of such an idea. What can be more truly rural thau the touching desire, so ingenuously expressed from a respectable girl. This is.without exception the most terse and explicit bid for matrimony I have ever come across. Her taste for a smithy is not only clearly stated, but she distinctly announces her wish that her future partner through life should be of sub.siunti.il proportions. Failing a success in her matrimonial endeavors, I commend this fair advertiser to the especial notice of Dr Featherston, as in New Zealand there are many burly blacksmiths who never dream of imbibing strong liquors. " Matrimony.—A gentleman, aged 45. tall, dark, and of good appearance, occupying a good position, and possessing an income of about £2000 a-vear, would like to hear from some jolly warm-hearted woman, who has a heart above the ordinary Platonic affections of the period. Ladies who feet they possess a warm and generous disposition capable of reciprocating the attachment of a devoted husband may address. Alma, under cover to the Editor "M. N.," 282, Strand, London." The above comes under the head, of "special advertisements," at an extra charge, and I certainly think it is worth the money. In commenting upon the respectable girl in search of the stout blacksmith, I inferred that she would be likely to make a good colonist, but the same remark applies with infinitely greater force to this really superb parti. I know some few men, aged 45, tall and dark : I know fewer still of good appearance, and fewer still of £2000-a-year. Such a man' I feel sure would not onlyTbe met with open arms by the male portion of our colonial community, but would not have the slightest difficulty in meeting more than one " jolly, warm-hearted" female, who as the rev. gentleman meutioned in my last communication, hoped would make " a dear, devoted wife." As to her having a heart above "the ordinary Platonic affections of the period" I would not go bail for it, as I must say I do not quite comprehend the meaning of the expression. Let that pass. As to the latter part of the advertisement, it appears to mc to be/under the circumstances, completely money thrown away. Didany one ever hear of a lady incapable of "reciprocating the attachment of a devoted husband " possessed of £2000 per annum ? " Annie, being almost alone through bereavements, is anxious to find a husband (widower or otherwise) who would be kind to ber and cheer her life again. She is of good family, naturally good tempered, and of a very affectionate, cheerful, and sociable disposition: has no mercenary motives for wishing to marry, nor any desire for a gay or extravagant life. The only happiness she longs for is to have an affectionate husband whom she can love and live for, and be a comfort to through life. She is fond of children, and having experienced the loss of kind parents,-would always feel for and be kind to a widower's family, whether children are young or grown up." '■■ * < | Not having wept since my last communication, may Ibe permitted at this juncture to lean upon my pen and wipe away a tear for the bereavements of poor Annie. No wonder that the lonely Annie (evidently from the after part of the advertisement a relative of the original "Gentle Annie," of minstser celebrity), should bo so anxious to find some one. who c tpould be kind to her. and cheer her life again. The only happiness she longs for-r-and not an uncommon wish either—is to have an affectionate husband. Sweet girl ! A superfluous term to apply to one who declares that she is prepared to be kind to a widower's family whether children are young or grown up. There can be no doubt about it, Annie is a sweet girl, and her assertion of being of a very affectionate disposition must be strictly true. ' "A gentleman by education and position (but unfortunately, with no means) desires to meet with an. attractive young lady or widow, with an income, to accompany him abroad as his wife ; country selected remarkably healthy, and climate very fine. Advertiser is a Cambridge M.A. on the bright side of 40, tall, dark, and handsome, and could be most faithful and passionately devoted to a really suitable partner, who must be healthy, refined, not over 30, very loving, and entirely independent of her friends." Now here is a case that calls for special commiseration. Here is a gentleman of education and position, and no means, (a character never met with on this side of the Line), attempting to throw . himself away/ upon a partner who must be healthy, refined, and not over thirty. To those of the fair sex who are exceptions to the general rule, and who have an eye to the main chance, this, proposal would be somewhat uniuviting, but to the majority, who have souls above pounds, shillings, and pence, the fact that the advertiser is a Cambridge M.A., and is on the bright side of forty, tall, dark, and handsome, ought surely to be sufficient inducement. I think really I have now done enough in the cause of the " Matrimonial News." would observe, however, for the benefit of intending competitors in the Hymeneal contest, that one of the conditions is, that " all introductions are given on the understanding that the lady and gentleman shall pay : a fee to the editor within a month after marriage." I should also like to notice the fact that the editor " invites contributions in shape of let-era, or articles calculated to enlighten the public mind in reference to marriage, and other kindred domestic subjects." As there are many people here that could enlighten the publio mind on the foregoing matters, I call attention to the fact, in the interests of the "M. N." tbat I hope shortly to be a special correspondent for Australasia, to whom communication- may be forwarded in the strictest confidence.