The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-10-18

etrer sases la puPa son lis enfans lis brisent
leur jouIioI pour snstriure de ce qu'i retirement
Madame de Beauhaenais.
"May trouble you to inform me what
gentleman that is yonder; he is about forty
years of age of an elegant appearance,
good figure, well dressed, and | meet him
everywhcrcl He is always alone; whether
at the play, in the park, in the streets,
never yet saw any body walking with him.
He looks about with an anxious and scruti-
nizing eye at every one who passes; he
does not seem TO be uncomfortable or dis.
satisfied with himself, and vet he never
smiles. Who is hel Do, pray, tell me;
and what is he looking forl''
THAT" replied the friend of whom
made these somewhat rapid inquiries, sis
the modern Diogenes; not that. like the Di-
oge mes Of old, he is looking for man; on
the contrary, a woman is the object of his
search. and mis- eyes serve him for lantern
He is rich, good looking. of agreeable man.
ners and excellent understanding; and yet
for these twenty years, he has been in
search of wife, and hitherto in vain. The
reason is, that he has created a chimera,
and afterwards set himself to the pursuit of
il. ] Twill tell you his history. and you
shall Judge whether he is not one of the
most singular men you ever met.
"M hen he was twenty years old he fell
in love with young lady. very well edu-
Gated, of good family, and possessing a
thousand excellent qualities. He paid his
addresses to her--was most assIduous in
his attentions--asked her parents consent,
and obtained it. Every thing was arrang-
ed, when one evening he happened to be al
ball with his intended wife. 1t was then
very much The rage TO dance the gavotie.
Diogenes could not perform the gavotte. hut
his intended did SO admirably. A very
agreeable young man asked her to dance
with him; she did SO, and acquitted herself
to the admiration of all present. On the
following day our friend asked her how she
had passed the night; she confessed. among
other things, that She had dreamPt of her
partner in the gavotte. Diogcnes got up,
wished her good morning, broke off his
marriage, and never saw her again.
"a short time afterwards he was smitten
by young lady who had no fortune, but
who was extremely beautiful, and not less
virtuous. He succeeded in making her
love him also, as he might do with most
women, and every day their mutual affec-
ton seemed to increase. When the mar
rage was near at hand he questioned her a.
bout the state of her heart. Did you ever
love any one before mel" he was asking
her necessarily.
"Never,' she replied, you are the first
oft Vat
should tell you, that when | was only 3
years old was very fond of my cousin,
and used to call him my little husband. -
This was enough for Diogenes, and again
he was off.
.Some years elapsed without his making
! another attempt, and then he was fascinat-
ed by lady whose beauty and wit might
have induced any man 10 overlook some
slight faults. The wedding day was again
fixed. when coming to visit her one day
Unexpectedly, he found her taking pinch
of snuff He quilted her abruptly and
went abroad. He soon returned, and the
first thing he did was TO fall in love with
simple milliner, young pretty and perfectly
inexperienced. He would have put up
with the want of family fortune; but one
day he found her telling her fortune with
cards. He quilted her at once, swearing
he would never unite himself TO a woman
who practised such superstitions.
sSince then cannot tell you how many
engagements he has made and broker.-
One lady was pretty, but coquet- another
was nc, coquctte. but, she had not grace
enough; one was afectiOnate' but jealous;
another gentle, but without sense; one had
wit but too much conceit; another made
verses. or was too fond of dancing, or of
laughing, or was too prudish.or too volatile,
or too reserved In short, Diogenes had a
thousand passionate engagements. none OF
which have lasted more than eight days.
Easily caught, and as easily loosened again
he seeks every where the imaginary excel
lence on which he has set his heart. 1t is
in vain that bis friends tell him a woman
might make an excellent wife. and yet have
little superstition; that lady is not less
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