, 1880-05-01

1t unless noSnareQ IL with q woman OF merit:
and knowing, mono that would suit his
fancy, he resolved to write to q worthy
correspondent of his in London. Z
He knew no other style than that which
he used in his trade therefore, treating
affairs of love as he did his business, after
giving his friend. in a letter, several com
missions, and reserving this for the last,
he went on thus -
"ITEM: Seeing I have taken q resolution
to marry, and that I do not find d suitable
match for me here, do not fail to send me,
per next ship bound hither, a young wo-
man OF the qualification and form follow
ing: AS for portion, l demand none let
her be of an honest family, between twenty
and twenty-five years of age, of middle
stature, and we'll proportioned her face
agreeable, temper mild, and character
blameless, health good, and her constitu-
ton strong enough to bear the changes OF
the climate, that there may be no occasion
TO look out for a second, through lack of
the first soon after she comes to hand,
which must be provided against as much
as possible, considering the great dangers
OF the sea. Ii Size arrives we'll conditioned,
as aforesaid, with the present letter en-
dorsed by you. or at least an attested copy
thereof, that there may be no mistake or
AhiROoiCoA1 L uCkCbl OUIlSS dIO CuSdSo
myself to satisfy the said letter by marry.
ing the bearer at fifteen days sight. In
witness whereof, I subscriber sc.
The London correspondent read over,
re-read, the odd articles which put the
future spouse on the same footing with the
bales he was to send to his friend and
after admiring the pm !ent exactness of
the West Indian, and his lacOnic style, in
enumerating the qualifications which he
insisted on, he endeavoured to serve him
to his mind.
After many inquiries, he thought he had
found a lady tit for his purpose in a young
person of respectable family, but with no
fortune, good humoured and politely edu-
Gated, and more than tOlerably handsome.
He made the proposal to her as his friend
had directed and she, having no subsis-
tence but from a fretful old aunt who gave
her a great deal of uneasiness, accepted
it.
A ship bound for Jamaica was then fit
ting out at Bristol the lady went on
board the same, together with the bales Of
goods, being well provided with all neces-
%saries, and particularly with a certificate
in due form, and endorsed by tho CORES
pondent.
She was also included in the invoice, tho
last article of which ran thus -
"ITEM A spinster q years of age, of
the quality, shape, and condition, as per
order, as appears by the afidavits and
certificates she has to produce"
The documents which were considered
necessary to so very exact q business man
as the future husband, were an abstract from
the parish register, q certificate of her
character signed by the citrate, an attesta'
ton of her neighbours, setting forth her
general character and bearing and, last
lX, the goodness of her constitution was
certified, after consultation, by four emf
nent physicians.
The letters of advice, the bales, and the
lady, came safe to the port and our mer-
chant, who happened to be one of the fore
most on the pier at the lady's landing, was
charmed to see a handsome person, who
having heard him called by his name, said
to him, "Sir 1 have a bill of exchange upon
you and, as you know that it is not usual
for people to carry a great deal of money
about them in such a long voyage as L
have now made, I beg you will be pleased
to pay it"
She then gave him his correspondents
letter on the back of which was written.
"The bearer Of this is the spouse you or
dered me to send you"
"Ah, madam said the West Indian,
III never yet suffered my bills to be pro-
tested, and [ swear this shall not be the
first! [ shall reckon myself to be the most