The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-11-21
MARRIAGE WITHOUT couRTsnIp.

drous arc the ways Of Providence, and sin
gular are the doings Of man, especially in
the latter days Of human progress. The
gigantic strides Of science, dwelling in its
track prejudice and ignorance, making
"ancicnt gods uncouth," has prepared the
human mind to combat the expression ot
the wisc man, that there is "nothipg new un-
der the SUM-" Notling new forsooih!-
We'll, ifthere is really nothing new. old Gus
toms sometimes appear before Us clothed in
a strange garb--a very coat ofmany coors.
at is not meet that man should be alone =
from the very foundation Of The world, wo-
man was placed 10 it to love, cherish and
comfort man. In pursuance Of this divine
gift OF God the custom Of coartship aud mar
riage was introduced, md at this present
day, wisdom sanctions tho former, while
law binds the latter. Courtship and mar
riage, in all civilized countries, present the
same phase ia the abstract; but the success
ful issue Of matrimonial negotiation we
arc about to chronicle, possesses sphere
of romance altogether out Of the ordinary
manner Of every day life, having CLEANED
the facts from authentic and reliablo sour
ces.
About three years ago, the Rev. Il. s.
McClay, OF Concord, Franklin county, Pa,
Gate Of Gettysbure.) received a cali on the
Board Of Foreign Missions connected with
the Methodist Episcopal Church, 10 visit
China and preach tho Gospel 70 the be-
nghted Celesiials of the central fowefv
lind. McClay was Young, ardent. enhn
siastic, mud most willingly embraced the
high and holy duty assigned him.
ln due time he arrived in China. and
was stationed nj FIN Chm, some seven
hundred miles in The interior from Hong
Kong. There he studied Ito native lam
gnare, and commenced his labor among the
Ceiestals, with the most tlnitering sNccess.
Still there was something wan'inr-a void
in the heart to be flied sighed for that
best soace TO man, either 10 veal or woe
a wIrE-low to get one, was an intricate
question to solve. There were % Ameri
can ladies' there from whom be could make
choice. and ns for Chinese wife. the
laws Of the land forbade il, neither did bis
inclination doe;re it. What then was to
be done? A fertile imagination can accom-
p.ish wonders--a firm determination can
surmannt difficulties that would "n'ertop
old Pelion,'' He wrote to the Board of
Missions on the sehj ct--he wrote in pa
,he,c-we might say poeiic-strains. of
his lonely condition for the want Of one on
whom he could hestow his affections, and
who would be willing to become his wife
l.: ,-,hio ~, bo
in the form off blank declaration II be fill
ed up by the lady accepting the PROPOSE
ton.
This was novel proposition, but the
Board was of opinion lhat i, was just one.
and proceeded with due diligence to search
for the object desired, and strange TO say,
success crowned their effort.
Some time previous TO the receipt of Mr..
M'Ciay's letter n Young lady, Miss Henri
eta Sperry, Of Brooklyn, N. T., made ap-
plication to the Beard to be sent out as n
missionary To CHM, but was refused on
account Of being unmarried. TO her the
application of MIR. MCtav was shown; she
at once filled up the blank application, md
correspondence ensned, which ended in
her leaving New York in company with a
number OF other missionaries, on the i2ih
Of March last, il the ship Tartar, Hong
Kong, where she will be met by Mr.. NJ
Clay, and tie nnptidl ceremony will be
solemnized.
The lady's personal attractions have
been described 10 us hv one who Ind he
pleasure Of seeing her previous TO her ia
king sail on her mission Of love. She is
described as being heantiiul and fascinating
in her Appearance, and possessed Of that
charm of loveliness which should adorn ev-
ery female character--a well cultivated
mind, stored wilhthe richest gifts Of knowl-
edge from the fountain of education, md a
moral refinement which will bear with il
the jewel Of bright inheritance beyond
the confines of time.
VIRTUES OF SMART WEED.--It is almost
a sure remedy in case Of cho'ic. Steep
and drink tho Same as any herb ten. In
the next place it is worth So per hundred
for stock Of cattle, If il is cut and we'll cur
ed when in full bloom. Give an OK, cow, or
horse, one pound per week, during the limo
they are up to hay, and it will keep the
bowels and hide loose.
It is an excellent physic. If a horse has