Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-11-19 00:00:00

MATRIMONIAL HOAX AT PRESTON. A gentleman
who advertised for a wife and was hoaxed, has himself
communicated the particulars to the Preston Guardian, as
a warning to other young men. His narrative is that
being inclined to matrimony, and not knowing any
female in the circle of his acquaintance who suited his
taste, he had advertised for a wife possessed, in his view,
of certain eligibilities, not the least of which was a good
round sum of money. Ile hail received overtures from
an anonymous correspondent, professing to be a lady,
and possessing the identical qualifications he so ardently
coveted. Several letters passed between the would-be
Benedict and the fair unknown, and at length the latter
agreed to an interview with him, which was to take place
at three o'clock on Sunday afternoon last, on the lower
terrace of Avenham-walks. He made his toilet with
extreme care, and, sporting an elegant cane, he pre-
sented himself at the appointed hour at the trysting
place, where, instead of being recognised by some
blooming Dulcinea in silk and satin, with other evi-
dences of a good " tocher," he found that the cat was
out of the bag, and that a number of young scapegraces,
some of whom he knew, were congregated to have a
good laugh at one who could be "so jolly green." The
remarks:made to him upon his wife-seeking schemes
were anything but complimentary; the matter became
generally known on the Walks, and he was obliged at
length to make a direct bolt from the scene of his dis-
comfiture, but was not allowed to depart until he had
promised to "stand" several bottles of wine. _
LORD DERBY, MR. MILLER, M.P., AND THE LEITH
CONSTITUENCY.—In reference to the recent remarkable
statement by Mr. Miller, M.P., as to Lord Derby having,
at the commencement of last session, signed an engage-
ment to bring in a Reform Bill containing certain
provisions, and Lord Derby's denial of the statement,
accompanied by an intimation that Mr. Miller had
informed him that he had been " wholly misrepre-
sented," the following letter was addressed to Lord
Derby by some Leith electors, including several of Mr.
Miller's supporters :
" LEITH, Nov. 12.
"MY LORD,—We, the undersigned electors of this
burgh, have seen a report of the proceedings at the ban-
quet at Liverpool on the 29th ult., on which occasion
your Lordship alluded to a certain statement having
been made to the effect that you had countersigned a
paper containing stipulations with regard to a Reform
,Bill, adding that you knew nothing of any such docu-
ment; and that on your demanding an explanation
from the gentleman whose reported speech had given
rise to the imputation, he had most cordially and lion-
numbly assured you that, his, language had been wholly
miarepresented, and that Aud a document had indeed been
signed by himself and otbers, and had been intended to
be presented to, and by them expected to be signed by,
your' the general opinion here that
the gentleman your Lordship referred to is Mr. William
11:tiller, M:13., for this district of burghs ; and sup-
posing such*to be the chi*, is'e -beg ttiltate that we were
present at, Mr. Miller's meeting held, here on thef even-
ing of the.l4th o October` last, and that we heard him
'thirtinctly say' in his • speech that 'the docuinent ques-
tion hadbew signed by, yow lordship.- On:Mr.'Miller
making. this assertion one of the electors. interrupted
asking how"it happened thatyotelordship bad
aigne4,e, :letter which was addressed .to yoirtft: and
Mr. Miller then explained that. it had been signed by
yeti in SebeptSiice Of -the termsciontainatheign! We
aoasider it;
lordship qeve Have' ootc
this letter.,giharierwt irigthlit,htt,lyeal;t7ll:l(7,iscilieTacal:;ep,. copy of
" We have the honour to be, my lord, your lordship's
most 'obedient servants.' • • • •
The:following:is Lord Derby's reply . •

xamtahliillsiiic,
tory.
toi
-,
~
~., - , -, "KNOWSLEY, Nov. 1.
morning your letter'of the' 12th instant . Having,'
" GENTLEMEN,—I lave had the honour of receiving'
d•Nrhiniche,iasinefar as I am concerned., was perfectly
ago a statement in writing from
.Mr.
'me, I -must 'bee til decline tiiiy further
interference with a matter with which Jr have-no concern, ,
and in which there appears to be some misunderstanding
between that gentleman ' and.lis constituents.—l am,
gentlemen, your obedient *servant,. " DERBY.
"Mr. D. M'Laren and others." .
The case is now simplified. A certain statement affect-
ing Lord DerbY was ascribed to Mr. Miller, and it is of
course "perfectly satisfactory" to Lord Derby to hive
Mr. Miller's assurance that he did not make that state-
meat. What remains is for Mr.
,d
to explain how it
Miller to state what
he did say. or intended to say, and
happens that he should have been " wholly misrepie-
sented" by the pencils of ell the reporters, and the dis-
tinct memories of. ail bis audience.—Scotsman.