Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-04

Sale of Wifs.-The Lancaster (Engand)
Herald, contains full account OF regular sale
of wife made by her husband, in Carlisle, late
| ly. We copy i, as curious exhibition Of En-
slish Customs, not to say manners:
SALE OF A WIFE BY HER HUSBAND,
AT CARLISLE.
On Saturday, the 9TH April, the Inhabitants
of this CITY witnessed the sale OF a wife by her
husband, Jos. Thompson, who resides IN small
village about three miles from this city he rents
farm Of about AZ or "a acres, and was married
at Hexham, in the year 1929 to his present wlie'
She is spruce, lively, buxom damsei, apparent,
ly not exceeding twenty-five years OF age, ana
appeared to feel pleasure at the exchange she
was about to make. They had no children du-
ring their union, anG that, together with some
family disputes. caused them by mutual agree
mept to come to the resolution OF finally parting
Accordingly, the bellman was sent round 10 give
public notice Of the sale, which was to take place
at IL o'clock. This announcement attracted the
notice of thousands. She appeared above the
crowd, standing on a large oak chair, surround
ed by many of her friends, with rope or halter
made of straw round her neck She was dress
ed in rather fashionable country style, and ap'
paared to some advantage. The husband, VINO
was also standing in an elevated posiuon near
her, proceeded to put her up tor sale, and spoke
nearly as folows:-
"Gentlemen. | have to offer to your notice
my wife. Mary Anne Thompson, otherwise Will
Hanson, whom mean to sell to the highest and
fairest bidder. Gentlemen, it Is her wish as
well as mine, to part forever. She mas been to
me only bosom serpent took her tor my COIN
fort, and the good Of my house. but SHE has be.
come my tormeutor, a domestic curse, night
invasion, and daily d.vil-(great laughter. -
Gentlemen. speak truth from my heart when |
say, may God deliver US from troublesome wives
and frolicksome widows-(laughter,) Avoid
them as you would a mad dog, roaring lion, a
loaded pistol, cholera morbus, Mount Etna, or
any other pestilentai phenomena in nature. Nov
have shewn you the dark side OF my wife. and
told you her faults and her faillngs, | will now
introduce the bright and sunny side Of her, and
will explain her qualifications and goodness
She can read novels, milk cows; she can laugh
and weep with the same ease that you could take
a glass Of ale when thirsty; indeed gentlemen.
she reminds me Of what the poet says OF women
in general
"Heaven gave women the peculiar grace
To laugh, to weep, TO cheat The human race"
She can make butter and scold the maid, she
can sing Muorc's melodies, and plat her frils
and caps; she cannot make rum. gin, or whis'
key. but she is a good judge of the quality from
long experience In tasting them. | therefore of,
fer her, with all her projections and imperfec'
tons. for the sum of fifty shilliugs."
After an hour or two she was purchased BY
Henry Mears, Pensioner, for the sum of toen.
tn shilEngs and Newfoundland dog. The hap
py pair immediately left town together, amidst
| the shouts and huzzas Of the multitude, in which
they were joined BY Thompson, who with the
greatest good humor imaginable, proceeded to
put the halter which his wife had taken OF, round
the neck of his Newfoundland dog, and then
proceeded to the first public house, where he
spent the remainder Of the day.