Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-19
THE GAZETTE.
MONDAY MORNING, APRIL 70. 1855
GOING TO PROPOSE.

What a curious sensation that is which
troubles man upon such mission. Why
does the elegantly arranged sentence, studied
with so much care, in order alike to avoid
formality and familiarity, begin to seem bald,
and bold, and bungliug, just as it is about to
be wanted? Why is it finally revised upon
the coarse mat in the hall, and utterly re-
jected on the silky mat on the landing!-
Why do you feel choking. as if with thirst,
and vet could not drink in the elixir OF lie
if it were presented to your Why would you
pay hundred guineas step to have the
staircase twice as long as it is, aud yet you
20 up as hastily as if you we're escaping IRON
a poor relation? Why does that pleasing
bow, with which you have go often stoopea
to conouer-you know it-seem to you at
once a great deal too low, and great deal too
slight, and altogether abominable! Why DO
YOU wish YOU had put on that other craVat!
10 short, why is your sense 81 keenly a~ak-
ened to the outward man, and to the inside
phrase, and why do you forget that you have
hitherto looked like gentleman, and spoken
like philosopher, and generally done your
duty in that state of life in which it has
pleased Providence to place you, and that
there is nc particular reason why at one
o'clock this fine day you should make tall
ure? Is it satisfactory answer to say thst
all this 10 because there sits in the low chair
near the window, in that drawiug-room,
bright-eyed young person of the other sex.
who. if Won can only see it, can hardly hold
her crotchet-work for Der tremor, who knows
intensely we'll what you mean and what you
have come for, and who designs to make you
the kiudest possible answer, poor thing, II
she should be able to find proper words, and
who, in the meantime, is in about as ht a con-
dition to criticise you as | am to correct the
Jupiter SYMPHONY or the Nautical Almanac!
Let me appeal to some of my friends whether
| have over-stated the case. There is Cap
tain Founder, that big, handsome man, with
the black whiskers, who, in one of those
dreadful Puojaub fights, rode slowly up to
slope three quarters of a mile towards fort
from which our dear Oriental brethren were
blazing upon us with seventy cannons, ana
remarked to his comrades, as be dashed sing
" into the narrow breach, that be would
swat inside"-just ask that dauntless per-
son how he felt when going to propose TO
Laura Green ofthe Engineers! Or speak TO
the Secretary OF olate ior tue
Department who thinks nothing OF tackilng
a roaring and excited House of Commons at
midnight dragging a comrsde out of mess,
and like Tydites. Drawing the strongest battle
of his antagonists, amid shouts that would
dismay a statue. Only ask how it was that
he went three times to make personal offer
to Lady .Asphodel Wellington, and at last
was obliged to do it in beautiful despatch
letter l mean. Do not talk to NE about
faint hearts and fair ladies-of course, we
know that many an estimable female is very
good natured, and will give you her band
just as she would give you the SALT or the
nutcracker, because you seem to be looking
forit, and will in no degree appreciate your
making much sentimental fuss about the
matter land remarkable good partner su Oh
a woman will make, too, mind that but our
discourse, at present, is less of partnership
than marriage