A BACHELOR'S GROWL.

Observer, Volume 4, Issue 95, 8 July 1882, Page 259

A BACHELOR'S GROWL.

An old bachelor forwards us the following jeremiad against the fair sex. "To the Editor of the Obsebvee. Sir, — I am a happy and contented bachelor, -who wouldn't exchange the freedom, of single blessedness for a duchess. Nevertheless, I have a large circle of female acquaintances, old and young. The old ones, I find, are always throwing out artfully baited hoots to lure me into matrimonial destruction, while some of the young ones, I fear, are set on to " run me in " to Hymen's noose. You may call this vanity and conceit, or anything else you like, but I solemnly set it down as plain fact. Ido not complain of these little attentions. Though lam above marriage, I am not yefc above flattery. But what I do object to is the way in which I am constantly being hauled over the coals by my lady acquaintances for my presumed'carelessness or discourtesy in not acknowledging then" bows when I chance to meet them in the street. Ajlady slightly turns her head, gives one of her eyes a screw and expects me to lift Hiy hat in sign of recognition. ' Another give 3 the ghost of a smile or a sort of wink, inclines her head the infinitesimal part of an inch out of the perpendicular, or gives a jerk of the head as if she were shaking a fly off her nose, and' I am expected to perceive and reckon it as a bow, however short-sighted or absorbed in thought or business I may be at the moment. Really the thing is too bad. Give me the good old English style of my young days when a lady bowed her head gracefully and prettily in a way that could not be misunderstood. I wish Mr Editor, you would publish in a prominent place in your paper a few simple directions on the art of bowing with ■ease and grace, for the benefit of " our girls."' — I am, etc., An Oid Bacheiob.