The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-12-23 00:00:00

PICKWICK ON PROPOSING.

Down they sat to breakfast, but it was evident, notwithstanding
the boasting of Mr. Peter Magnus, that he laboured under a
very considerable degree of nervousness, of which loss of Lippe.
tite, a propensity to upset the tea things, a spectral attempt at
drollery, and an irresistible inclination to look at the clock
every other second, were among the principal symptoms.
" He—he—he," tittered Mr. Magnus, affecting cheerfulness,
and gasping with agitation. "It only wants two minutes, Mr.
Pickwick. Am I pale, Sir ?"—"Not very," replied Mr. Pick-
wick. .There was a brief pause.
i• I beg your pardon, Mr. Pickwick; but have you ever done
this sort of thing in your time ?" said Mr. Magnus. " You
mean proposing ?" .said Mr. Pickwick. " Yes." " Never,"
said Mr. Pickwick,.with great energy, "never." " You .have
ono id a. Oen. it'sbeqs
hy, sal Mr. rsokwtek, "I may have formed someideas
tkpon the subject, but.as I have never submitted them to the test
of experience, I should he sorry if you were induced to regulate.
your proceeding by them."
" I should feel much obliged to you for any advice, Sir," said
Mr. Magnus, taking another look at the clock, the hand of which
was verging on the five minutes past.
" Well, Sir," said Mr. Pickwick, with the profound solemnity
with which that great man could, when he pleased, render his
ivatarks so deeply impressive-r-" I should commence, Sir, with
a tribute to the lady's beauty and excellent qualities; from them,
Sir, I should diverge to my own unworthiness."
"Very good," said Mr. Magnus.
" Unworthineis 'for her only, mind, Sir:" resumed Mr.
Pickwick ; " for to show that I was not wholly unworthy, Sir, I
should take a brief review of my past life and present condition.
I should argue, by analogy, that to any body else I must be a
very desirable object. I should then expatiate on .the warmth
of my love, and the depth of my devotion.—Perhaps I might
then he tempted to seize her hand."
44 Yes, I see," said Mr. Magnus; " that would be a very great
point." . •
"I should then, Sir," continued Mr. Pickwick, growing
warmer,as the subject presented itself in inure glowing colours
before him—" I should then, Sir, come to the plaits and simple
question, Will you have Lao?' I think I .sin justified in as-
suming that upon this she would turn away .her bead."
"You think that may be taken for grantett?" said Mr, Mag_
nus, " because, if she did not du that at the right place it would
be embarrassing."
"I think she would," said Mr. Pickwick. "Upon this, Sir,
I should squeeze her band, and :I think—l thin!;,, Mr. Magnus—
that after L had done that, snirposing, there:was no refusal, I
should gently draw away the handkerchief. which my slight
knowledge of human nature leads me to suptiose the lady would
be applying
,to her eyes at the moment, and steal a respectful
kiss. 1 think I should kiss her. Mr. 'Magnus; and at this par-
ticular point I am decidedly of opinion that if the lady wet q
going to take me at all she would murmur into my ears a bash,
ful acceptance."
Mr. Magnus started; gazed on Mr. Pickwick's intelligent
face for a short time its silence, and then (the dial pointing to
the ten minutes past) shook him warmly by the hand, and rushed
desperately hots' the room.

Imported into Liverpool. from the 15th to the 21st instant.
PROM IRELAND,

Cows. Sheep. Pigs. Horses. Mules. Calves. Lambs.
1239 1594 4206 29 2 $
Previously. 30558 99128 217923 3691 215 1910 91027

COASTWISIL

Cows. Sheep. Pigi. Hours. Calves. Lambs,
33- 1738 591 5
Previously.. .. .. 3568 52429 6633 127 494 0140