, 1873-03-02
THE CoMMoN LAW AND BL1GHTED AFFEC.


There has evidently been new departure in
the treatment Of B.cach-of-P Promise cases. The
advance is in the interests OF wonaan's rights.
There have been several cases, Of late, deter
mining the right Of women to be sued for dam
ages, as well as to sue, in of bnghted affcc-
ton. There has been one in Connecticut, one
in Canada, and one in Denmark, showing that
the movement is making its way simultaneously
in remote quarters Of the globe. In Canada,
few weeks since, q Mr.. Edmond Matthew
mnnifcent sum of s40o because the young lady
had Tilted him. The suitor had expended valu-
able time; had squandercd money for railroad
tickets; had purchased 3 wedding-ing and
ing the window Of his beloved; had suffered this
usual pangs OF unrequited love ]; and, as a sort
Of soothing syrup or Strengthening plaster,
asked the Court for 8 Judgment Of 5000. The
Court and jury admitted the principle, but ey-
identity concluded that the interest was
usu1ious. The sum Of 800 WAS finally allowed,
but whether it WAS for tho railroad travel, the
catching Of cold, tho price Of the ring, or tho
mental aufferings Of lover, it is impossible to
say The Connecticut case is not dissimilnr,
though trife more practical, as becomes
Yankee. There is no estimate Of blasted hopes,
ruined affections, permanent melancho1ia, and
the dist1ust Of womankind in general; but there
is List Of actual expenses incurred by the
plaintiff in travelling to and from the house Of
his late edored. The modest sum Of $500 is
demanded II this case also brings about q
verdict in favor Of the discarded lover, It will
settle the principle, at least, that a. man
is entitled to mileage in an unsuccessful court
ship. Lovers contemplating suits should COL
suit ultaergeants-at-arms as to the manner OF making
up the charges. In Denmark, an American lady
Of fortune is to be- taught the sad lesson that the
heretofore innocent pastime OF Irritation is no
longer to be tolerated. Tho defendant in this
case took up her residence in Copenhagen with
q married sister, and soon found herself sur.
rounded with tempting array of titled suitors.
shesecma to have favored one Count in particular.
So he claims, ct least. Exercising the vi1es which
young American ladies arc supposed to under
stand, she secured tho unreseryed alteration Of
the unsophisticated Danish Count. When she
had fairly ,baited him, she allowed him to dangle
in torture on her hook, and finally threw him
away with tho mental observation that there are :
just as good dsh in the sea as ever we're caught,
and perhaps bctter. Danish Counts are evi-
IDENTIFY unaccustomed to this sort Of treatment,
and the Tilted ono has resolved to submit his
to jury. Ho has brought quit for
damages, and thinks that ho ie. entitled to half
the young lady's fortune if no cannot share her
Affections.
This now departure is q serious matter. It
threatens to overturu the established usages Of
society. Instead OF maneuyering manmas and
guileless daughters, OF whom tho catches " Of
fashionable life have learned to be afraid, ,se
shall be introduced to multitude Of profession
al matcl1-makerB, o. 1natch-brcakcrs, Of the male
4 new field Of industry is thus'open-
I'd to deaa-beats, who will now go around With
broken hearts7 claiming damages from young
hercssea or ueu-endoTed widows. The man Who
can succeed in making an impression and
securing loye-1etter, will henceforth hare q
Cause Of action. The destruction OF masculine !
affections may not rate as high as that Of female
desolation, but there will bo liberal allowance
for the expenses Of courtship.' This is some
thing-a good deal more than most unsuccessful
lovers receive. Tho effect on young women,