A STRANGE STORY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 2782, 9 January 1869, Page 6

A STRANGE STORY.

(From Indian Public Opinion, October 13.) We publish a very extraordinary letter from a young Englishwoman to ah Indian Maharajah. The letter is a bona fide one, and it was in the presence of a European officer on a visit to fche native nobleman, that tho mail brought ifc in ; and that it was made over to him to translate, to the evident consternation of the native hearers. The letter is accompanied by a testimonial from a minister of religion testifying to the lady's qualifications for the position of a wife. It wpuld be charitable to assume, as indeed is hot improbable, thafc both the young woman and her spiritual adviser were lunatics, for as long as native society is not reformed, there can be no doubt that the wife of the lowest and poorest English peasant enjoys a life of greater freedom, happiness, and esteem, than the partner of the most exalted oriental prince. We should have avoided the subject but we feel that it is necessary to protest against the " nigger worship" which exists among so many of the admirers •'of " Exeter Hall." In spite of these days of railways and national education, many in England continue to be the slaves of stereotypedideas, and one of these ideas is, that every, adventurer with a black skin is a hero, a genius, and an apostle. Of course, this letter, is an ' extreme instance of that notion acting on a feeble and deranged mind. Bufc we. have another reason for publishing this letter. Many native gentlemen have been victimised by European swindlers and demi mondaines, and we should not be surprised that this letter too is one of the traps at which it is unnecessary to more than hint. But that the letters from both the young woman and her clerical patron are genuine, we have, we regret to say, not the slightest doubt whatever : — " To His Majesty the Maharajah or , Southeen India. " May it please YOtra Majesty— 1 am a young lady of highly respectable connections. JVIy papa and mama are both dead, and I am now residing with a Wesleyan minister, whose name is Rev. . lam twenty- one years of age, and have some property, and am anxious to be married to some one very high and rich. A King is what I want, und, as you have been so highly spoken of in the newspapers [a few words here are almost illegible, bufc they look like ' there inform '_', that you are a very rich, noble, good gentleman, you will pardon me, I hope, for writing bo ask whether you have any matrimonial engagement, and, if not, whether you would be willing to correspond with me with a view to marriage. If -we can . agree, I should not object to come oufc to India and reside in your palace with you as my husband, whore we could bave plenty of servants to wait on us, and plenty of money to live upon. " Will you be kind enough to let me know by fcho return of post; what you think of this, my proposal, whether it exactly meets your views, and, if so, when we could be married. '• I should wish to know in time to have all ready for the voyage fco India, and for my marriage when I arrived there, unless you would ba pleased to come to England for me, and then we could go oufc together. " This would be very nice indeed ; bufc I shall not make any further arrangements, till such time as I hear irom you. " Hoping fco hear from you when the mail returns from India, . " I am, yours mosfc truly, "J M . " , Cornwall, England, " August 25, 1868." To this is attached the letter of the Wesleyan minister : — " I hereby state that I have known Miss M intimately lor four years past, and have always found her to be a very nice, amiable, kind, and excellent young lady. She has lived with us for more than twelve months, so we know what an excellent wife she would be to any gentleman who could have her. She. is well educated, having v studied music and several languages. She is piously disposed, and a member of our s Church, which she has been for several years. Her parents were highly respectable, and, as fchey are now dead, sho has control over all tlie property belonging to her. Should any more information be required, I shall be glad to supply ifc.