The Portland gazette., 1823-10-07

be deemed the calculation seeming hospitality
being nothing on earth but a weli-baited trap.
On these occasions every body is asked for
something lords, baFonets, NC. tor their titles
dragons for their regimentals trighttul oldwo-
men in blue gowns and silver tissue turbaDs, Tor
their sons and heirs handsome married women
to draw the men ugly girls as foils and pretty
girls because the ball cannot 60 on without them.
Some are invited to make up card-tabe for
the rich dowager mother OF heir at law
some because they have an air of fashion, or
write Albany on their card Every thing, in
short, is measured, TO the mnutest particular
that can proceed or retard the greatevent, which
is the handspring of the whole
Although it is part of good policy in a hawk
ing mamma, TO fly her girls generally at all
young fellows or old fellows OF decent fortune,
yet she has, for the most part, some individual,
IN view, who is more particularly the object OF
pursuit and it is truly astonishing how uniform
" that favoured individual finds himself in spite
OF himself, in contact with the . young LADY,
who has him in chase Tall, thin, pale girls are
my aversion yet for two months | was nightly
haunted by such a spectre, who forced me to ask
her TO dance by z meeting my eye IN an early
hour OF the debate, by planting herself assidu-
ously at my side, and engaging me in series of
innocent questions at the first preparatory scTape
Obliged, too, to hand her down to supper and
consequently to sit beside her at the table,
From this persecution fortunately escaped by
a lucky equiuoque which seemed to hint that 1
was engaged to a girl in the country, whose es-
tate joins ours and the next evening, had the
happiness to sec the stately galley bear down on
another prize.
1t Is curious, but a melancholy sight, to be-
hold the long rows OF over dressed girls, many
OF them, hope, unconscious of the purpose for
which they are thus launched on societv,--With
their hdgety anxious mothers, settling from time
to time their hair and dress, nodding disappr0-
bstion, or smiling encouragement (as the puppet
contradCts or favours the purpose in hand BY her
carriage and demeanor) and having no eyes, no
ears but for the one object of painful sOlcitude.
Still more melancholy is ii to witness the last
struggles of an unfortunate GbaHdOnata,"
whose tenth season is passing in vain, with 'fno-
body coming to marry her, nobody coming to
woo-oo-oo-" q hope the reader can whistle
the tune for that last desponding monosyllable)
while each causeless giggle, intended to display
dimple, bears evidence Of another accident
in the 4" human face divine, which forbear TO
name and profusion OF hnery eclipses charms,
that It is no longer prudent to expose to the
broad glare Of lamps and wax-lights.
When gudgeon is observed to rise freely to
the bait, he is asked TO dinner and engaged on
riding parties in the mornings. A luncheon also
IS regularly set out as a rallyng point for young
men, whose appetites are often more ductile than
their passions. Hearts are thus ensnared through
the medium of cold tongue and bread and butter,
and sure love-potion is Madeira and soda
water. When all else fails, the good old lady
herself hints very plainly, her reasonable expec-
tahons, and strives hard to carry an hestating
swain by a barefaced iRnuendo
A fashionable lodging house in London.