Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-02-01

BUSINESS OF all women, Ce Are far from saving
hat the last ars wr6he In endeavorine, by any
ION, 70 attain TO married life. Yet" tits fit men /
hould be coy when women WOO" II was COM
monty held TO be most fitting that parents or 4
near relatives should take the Initiative when |
ICES, 50 far as the woman was concerned, while |
he other sex, 1t was presumed, could look out !
Tor themselves. But 1t appears that there gre
many men incompetent 70 this, and in =. ,n
father, mother, nor relative able and willing to
assist them. What, then, is TO be their fate?
How avert the misfortune which threatens
News. The editor of that journal
is the matchmaker Of the nineteentb century,
and his paper appears to be established on prin-
every number the reader may review some $50
candidates for marriage, and for one shilling an
advertiser may describe his or her attractions,
provided that the same be done in no more than
forty words. Questions Of difleuity or delicacy
referring to courtship are answered gratuieous-
~ in these columns, privately for II stamps,
personally for S.; q fee Of 81. h also required
by this machinery. We are assured that the
business is bona fde, that confidence and Sc
crecy are strictly observed, and IL we are to be-
lieve the editor, hundreds Of marriages have
The modus Operandi Is this: The real name
address, and photograph Of each candidate are
deposited with the editor, the advertisement
Matrimonial News, at first by numbers, like
convicts. No. 5000 replies to Nos. 6,007 and
500, ayowing that the particulars suit, and
This is done through the editor, who then, if
both parties wish it, places them in direct pri-
yate correspondence with each other, on condi-
susaing that all this has occurred, it is probable
that the first step taken Is to ascertain that the
personal appearance is equal to the photograph
and the second TO cause their respective law.
the "amPle private means" Of the gentleman.
For 1t IL q most noteworthy fact, and one which
EFFORTS our admiration, that not only fortune
hunting in these advertisements is conspicuous
by its absence, but that instances of extreme
disinterestedness abound, 50 that men of spri-
yate fortune" or '.amPle means expressly state
ment" Out of nearly two hundred, not above
twenty make It . necessary qualification. One,
indeed, whose list Of attractions is not of solid
order, asks for that Of which he apparently has
none. "The younger son Of good county fami-
ly, aged twenty mine, fair, IT. 10 in, has en-
tree to best society, travelled q great deal, do
nestle, fond Of country life, Is a good shot,
Of means-n A clergyman possessed of good
means, who desires to form the acauaintance of
young, pretty, well-educated lady," to his
eternal honor adds that "money, thou vh An adj
vantage, is not an essential" while s'Achilies.
who IS an author and man Of refinement and
position, with means independent of his profess
sion, only demands good sense and ladylike
= lt,
ing soul, softened by tender, loving nature.
will lind in Achilles a responsive echo, and a
kind, warm, and generous heart" The ladies',
in general, state that they are tall or short, dark
or fair, as the case may be, and that thew are
loving, affectiOnate, warm hearted Thoroughly
sometimes they mOdestly add
IAN" Ian; are considered good,lOoking," or every
that she would make devoted wife," another
declares she Is STEADY a third mentions n
highly desirable item, that she is .'clean;" a
al n lG lsr1f tnr I...A~
out incumbrance, of horid complexion, has
nice home and business of her own, but feeling
lonely would like suitable partner" fifth is
"of comfortable means and ,Juno-like appear
ance;" sixth would prefer a clergyman, and if
possible widower. Many have Fascinating
manners" or are well connected and educated.
Of widows, who are supposed to understand
that they are Jolly" while only two Young
ladies plead guilty to that quality. A consider
able number candidly state that they have no
ing disposition to offer; but fortunes of from
fl5O to f2O0 and ESQ per annum or from
5000 to $500 down, with good ex-
One has 'golden hair and a small yearly in
comes" another, Though poor and not without
faults, is not to be bought with money" There
IS case which is appalling, if true: "An
helress Of noble family, aged twenty four, very
with f720 year from large landed
estates, is splendid pianist, harpist, speaks
French and Italian, and rides and drives" is
TO mention that she twill only correspond with
q gentleman of good birth" OF the gentlemen
not one has the courage to state that he is short
good tempered, tall, considered hne- looking"
think they can make a wife," or sometimes.
amy reasonable woman happy" Of good posi-,
ton etc. Many affirm that they are in posses
SION OF landed estates, or Of appointments
bringing in $1,000, FL 800, $4,000 per annum.
which, If true, Is easily verified. Gan heir to a
consi ierable entaiied estate" having no doubt
ha aatia fan
when "a V. s. examination is allowed y men
tons that he Is ''of sound health and unimpar-
I'd constitutions" valuable qualities, indeed in
sltneI man or woman, which we should like to
zee more in request than is now the case. There
are also advertisements from farmers and
tradesmen who wish for economical managin0
heipmates. AS we have before observed, for
tune is rarely the essential, but good looks.
and refinement are generally de-
In some instances beauty and musical
talents are coupled together. Several wish to
Tor speedy replies, as they are going to India.
and one wishes to 'marry at OnceH-this is a
major In the army with good means, and ali hs
iesires Is lady OF good connection not over
The strangest part of the traffic presents itself
when we regard the social position of the candi-
iates In one batch there are two noblcmen,
wo colonies, member of three learned sOcie
aes, barristers, physicians, missionaries sauires
With beautiful residences and good fortune.
county magistrates, and numberfess naval and |
English ditto, one having jointure of f3.O11 |
,er annum, two heiresses, whereof one Is a |
ward in chancery, entitled to large landed |
on coming Of age-(is the Lord Chan. |
ellor aware of the proceedings of his wardY)- |
ONE half-dOzen of noble family or ancient |
lineage; and above the rest in point of urgency |
3 an application from a widow lady and her
hree daughters all waiting husbands and hay- |
ng independent incomes. Surely this is, to saw |
he least Of it, very strange. On another point |
few words Of warning seem needed. Certain
4 the candidates desire to correspond with too
many of the other sex at once. Thus bachelor
20. g. II, 'desires to correspond" with no fewer
han nine ladies; an Italian, No. 642I Wit,
*; medical man, No. G, 456, with seven. Tha
laughter Of deceased officer wishes to hear
rom eight gentlemen, and Emmeliue. who is
he offender in chief, wishes TO correspond with
$ many as fourteen. Such a course of pro-
eeding Is hardly fair, nor Is 1t promising of
uture happiness, for IL the marriage accom-,
iished proves unsatisfactory, the nucleus OF
egret, II not of discomfort, Is already form ID.
Ii had only taken 5,423 instead Of 6,32o. /" he |
r she will say, $50 should have been blessed,
ibereas now" etc. 1t Is hardly to be supposed
hat OF $50 weekly advertisers all represent i'm
ostures, and We are assured (though we remain
oubtful( that detection and exposure are the
esults OF any attempt at a hoax. II our men |
nd women are so driven by circumstances that
hey can find suitable companions by no other |
,ethod than this, 80 be 1t. Many there NAV be
rho marry in haste and repent at leisure: hut
ccording to Congreve there is a worse fate
ossible In his play Of ''The Old Bachelor,
re the following lines:
Thus grief still treads upon the heels Of peaxure
Marrled In haste we may re pent Mt leisure: Il