The Bachelor's lament.

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 949, 6 March 1897, Page 7

The Bachelor's lament.

Like many single fellows not settled down in life (In trim and cosy villa with charming little wife), I'm in for board and lodgings, with rooms both clean and neat, Convenient to the, city — not far from Symonds-street. I'm loth to state,, however, I soon mns make a change, And when I Btate the reasons yon may not think it strange : The parsimonious lady decides to pare and ' nipi' And speculate too often in mining shares, and ' scxip.' At breakfast we are questioned, and each asked what we think Of Comßtock, Chelt and Juno, Invicta, Golden Link ; And then, again, at dinner ! Oh ! should the prices fall, It's really quite exciting, and worae if there's a ' call.' So, friends whore seeking lodgings, now be advised by me, First ascertain from mistress if she is clear and free From mining speculation or other dealings rash, Or you may find your diet too often tripe and hash.

At a Southern court the other day the presiding beak sent np for a month a man convicted of ill-treating the partner of his joys and sorrows. The punishment fitted the crime like a glove. The man is a carpenter by trade and earns forty-eight shillings a week, saving and excepting when he * breaks out,' on which occasions, it seems, he invariably smashes np the household gods and bangs the misßus. She will be free of him for the next four weeks, anyhow. But how is she to live while he is at hard labour? She must work herself, starve, or become dependent on the Charitable Aid Board. It is impossible to punish the husband in these cases without punishing the wife — and children, if any — at the same time.

Which causes us to remark that they manage these things better in Germany. In the latter country, it seems, the wife - beater, when the strong arm of the law gets hold of him, is allowed, in fact compelled, to work at his ordinary calling. But on Saturday night, directly his week's work is done, he ib arrested and jugged until the ensuing Monday morning. This happens every week until he has worked out his sentence. Thus the wife gets the man's screw every Saturday — he is forced to give it to her — and she doesn't get his company on the only off-day in the week, consequently the 'appy 'ome is kept together, and furniture remains intact. As for the man.he soon gets full-up of being gaoled every Sunday, and in a big majority of caseß he decides to turn over a new leaf. All of which suggests the reflection tnat this colony has something to learn from Germany in the matter of the treatment of bad-egg husbands.