The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-09


We cut the following lively sketch of Ito
us) very singular custom, from the Berlin cor
respondent Of the Springfield Republican -
in its advertising columns, a German news
paper in some respects resembles an American
one, while in others it differs from it entirely.
1t resembles it in its flaming advertisements,
though they are hardly so ingenious, in its GER
tifcates of cures by this or that physician in its
notices of medicines for disgraceful diseases,
and in a great variety Of other things But
| think shall show you that "Meinherr" slow as
he proverbially 10, is in some respects decidedly
in advance of Brother Jonathan For instance,
have no doubt you think you have taken a
great step forward in announcing that a son
has been born to John Snooks,' but here the
thing is done up in much better style, and
with much more politeness, as a proper respect
shown to the lady Thus every day, you see a
long list Of announcements of births, running
as follows, q copy from paper before me) -
The hapy delivery of my wife Agnes, born
WeishopH, of healthy glrl, respectfully an
nounce to relations and friends Next came
the same formula, with slight variation, to
prevent monotony: The very difficult but
yet happy delivery, &C. The third one strikes
out into new path, and informs the public
that to day, at half past two o'clock P. NJ. my
dear wife was delivered of strong, lively boy
while the next happy individual throws up his
hands and declares that to day 'he was made
happy by the birth Of twin daughters Think of
sober German man going into extatics over so
much of good thing But the next notice runs
that zoe were made happy, &c. while number
six rejoices over the easy and happy delivery
Number seven appears to be very much pleased
by the hard and tardy, but happy delivery, and
the next one seems equally pleased by the
premature, though easy and happy delivery
and the list is wound up by man who seems
to take quite as much pleasure as any of his
predecessors, in announcing that his wife was
happily delivered of a daughter, which soon
died. and the other day it was healthy son,
which soon died. and the premature but hap
Ply delivery of dead boy.
"But the German newspaper having intro
duced the "hinfant" upon the stage of fe seems
to keep an eye upon him, and by and by is
pleased by the appearance of brief but ex-
pressive notice, that "John Smith and Semima
Williams announce themselves to their friends
and relations as engaged" or perhaps it is still
shorter, giving simply the two names, and the
magic word .engaged." The majority, how
ever, seem to be able to keep their happiness to
themselves for short time, or till they are en-
sbled to announce that the knot is tied, which is
done in great variety of ways, presenting
matter for deep thought to the student of hui
man character. Sometimes it goes directly to
the point, "we announce our marriage" "as mar
ried we recommend ourselves to our relations
and friends" signed by the two happy victims,
while the lady usually adds that she was "born
Shocks" and this is sometimes further extended
by an intimation that she was the "widow Of
Jones'" In other cases, the happy couple pay
no attention to such tr fling matters what care
fbay for hut he, al, ,,I
ents are obliged to take the matter in hand to
"annource the marriage of our only daughter
while occasionally the new unity has so far re-
turned from their visit to the seventh heaven
that they add their names Sand recommend
themselves" but whether as objects of pity is
not stated.
In the occurrence Of the third great event in
human existence, death, the German paper also
takes care to do it's duty aud every day presents
long row Of notices. In.the paper before me,
observe the following forms : / announce the
death of my beloved brother, which occurred at
81 o'clock this morning, with request for ST.
lent sympathy ! sank gently to rest, after Sc
we're suffering of nervous fever, my beloved hus-
band. The burial will take place on Tuesday
But in this case the widow, though obviously
overwhelmed by her affection, still with won
derful and praiseworthy self control and forti-
tude, uOeS not forget ner uulleS III thlS WoTld,
and therefore adds That the business of my
late dearly. beloved husband will be carried on
in part for my benefit, under the care Of his
nephew and as in duty bound, the nephew
makes his bow, and 'solicits a continuance of
the patronage of the friends and patrons Of the
deceased But before you have time to note
the number, and register determination to pa
tronze so deserving person, your thoughts are
called in another direction by the simple notice,
that, after n long and severe illness, slept to
better life our dear beloved mother which is
signed by the survivors. In some Of the fol-
lowing notices., singular mixture Of relation
ship is presented; tho widow, children, son-in-
law, and grandson, severally lament the death of
my beloved husband,' or the death Of my be-
loved husband is announced by the survivors,
while notice of the death of my son and
brother is signed by the father only. The last
notice but one reads that it has pleased God to
take to himself my wife, who died in full conf
dence Of that glory which she had so lived as to
Deserve while the closing one speaks of a
short illness and thirty years of marriage"