The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-11-03
POPPING THE QUESTION.

leCl IN IeSpeCt 10 which gCou du'ICe IL
particularly desirable. 1t is to be regret
ted that some set form OF words had not
been adopted by general consent, to save
lovers from the agency of circumlocution.
There is nothing more appalling to
modest and sensitive young man, than ask
ing the girl he loves to marry him; and
there are few who do not find moral cour-
age tasked to the utmost.
Many a man would lead forlorn hope.
mount breach, and "seek the bubble
reputation even in the lannon's mouth"
trembles at the idea OF asking a woman
the question which is to decide his fate
Ladies may congratulate themselves that
nature and custom have made them the re-
spending party. In matter which men
have always found so terrible, yet which,
in one way or other, they have always con-
trived in some awkward way to accomplish,
it is not easy to give instructions suited to
every emergency.
A man naturally conforms to the dispo-
sition Of the woman he admires. If she
be serious he will approach the awful SUBJ
ject with due solemnity-i if gay and lively,
be will make it an excellent joke-if soft
ly sentimental, he must WOO her in a strain
of high-wrouught romance, and if severely
practical, he relies upon straight forward
common sense.
There is one maxim of universal appli-
cation. Never lose an opportunity. What
can woman think Of a lover who neglects
onel Women cannot make direct advan-
ces, but they use infinite tact in giving
men occasions to make them. In every
case it is fair to presume that when wo-
man gives man an opportunity, she ex-
poets him to improve it, and though he
may tremble, and feel his pulses throbbing
and tlngling through every limb-though
his heart fills up his throat, and his tongue
cleaves to the roof of his mouth, yet the
awful question must be asked-the fear
full task accomplished.
In the country, the lover is taking ro-
mantle walk by moonlight, with the lady
of his love-talks Of the beauties of the
scenery, the harmony of nature, and ex-
claims, All, Julia, how happy would exis
tence prove, if always had such COM
panion!
arm that tremblingly supports her.
My dearest Julia be mine forever
This is settler, and the answer, ever
so inaudible, makes or undoes him quite
Take pity on a forlorn bachelor, says
another, in manner which may be either
Jest or earnest; marry me at once and put
me out Of my misery.
With all my heart, whenever you are
ready, replied the laughing fair. A joke
carried thus far is easily made earnest.
A point is often carried by taking
thing for granted. A gentleman who has
been paying attentions 10 lady, says,
Well, Mary, when is the happy day. What
day, pray? she asks, with conscious
blush.
Why, every body knows that We are 60
ing to get married, and it might as well be
one time as another so when shall it be
Cornered in this fashion there is no re-
treat.
Jane, love you! Will you marry me,
would be somewhat abrupt, and frankly
given Yes !" would be short and sweet
for an answer.
Ellen, one word from you would make
me the happiest man in the universe.
/ should be cruel not to speak it then,
unless it is a very hard one.
II is word of three letters, and answers
the question, Will you have me?
The lady, of course, says Yes, unless
she happens to prefer word of two let
tiers, and answers No.
And so this interesting and terrible
process in practice, simple as it is in the
DRY, is varied in hundred ways, accor-
ding to the circumstances and the various
dispositions.
One tinid gentleman asks, Have you
any objection to changing your name? g.
follows this up with another which clench-
es its insigniicance, How would mine suit
you
Another asks, will you tell me what I
most wish TO knowl
Yes, if can.
the happy day when we shall be married
Another says, My Eliza, we must do
what all the world evidently expects we
shall.
All the world is very impertinent.
! know it, but il can't be helped. When
shall tell the parson to be ready?
AS general thing, a gentleman need
never be refused Every woman, except |
heartless coquette, finds the means of
discouraging man whom she does not in
tend to have, before the matter comes to
a point of declaration.
AN IRISH MIsTAKE.-A passenger ship
stopped al quarantine lately, when pas