Year: 1867

which the mother Of daughters is obliged
to undergo before she can dispose of her
charges, there is no greater grievance than
that which arises from the species of male
which may be fittingly described under the
above heading. Of course, in the ordina-
ry husband-chase there are many blinks
which must be anticipated from the very
nature Of the pursuit, but the dangler is an
impertinent and an unreasonable obstruc-
tion, for whose existence no sound reason
can be assigned, and whose mission, if he
ha any, would seem to be simply to thwar.
the best-laid schemes of match making
women.


The dangler generally gets into house
as mysteriously as black beetle. Like
other domestic nuisances he comes with
some one else, and it is to friend Of the
family that most owe the admission of this
disturbing creature into their dining-rooms
and confidence. The dangler is young
man not eligible, but who appears eligible.
and who pretends to desperate sensibili-
| ty of so contagious a character that the
best-trained daughter in the world will
sometimes share the complaint with him.
He has, however, 10 serious intentions,
and no visible or attainable prospects,
| When he has been discussed and inquired
into, and the verdict passed upon him as
matrimonially undesirable, there is as much
difficulty in shaking him off as there is in
getting rid of bad habit. He will try to
keep his place on the dance-list,-he will
endeavor to find his old place at the sup
per-table, and his perseverance may not
only discomft, but deter men of the re-
quired capital and standing who are only
waiting an opportunity of bidding for
partner in the business of going through
life. If the dangler was once allowed TO
dangle in the Row, he will continue to do
so considerable time after that permis-
sion has been Withdrawn. And he does
this without anotion of coming to the point,
even if he were challenged to do So
Nothing frightens him more than being
formally accept, d.. He regards a rejec-
tion as simple " not at home" but as no
more. He has made up the little he pos
| sesses Of mind 10 determination that


hanging around the skirts of girls, trifing


with their duties, and distracting them from


their main pursuits, is the most delightful


occupation under the sun. He will run


anywhere to dangle after a woman. He
) will even sooner attach himself to old la
dies than to none. And yet he is not of
that useful and angelic tribe Of messenger
beaus--carrier-pigeons-fetching-dogs who
at word will bring or take or run ac-
cording to directions. The dangler is sell
dom put in for an office of this kind, and


he never volunteers his help on any occa-


sion except it fits with his own proper con-


venience, comfort, and favori.e amuse-


ment.


Then he is perpetual source of irri-


tating curiosity to those whom he inveigles
into being concerned about him. If he is
cut direct, the difficulty is solved at once !;
but that is clumsy and not always a safe
, method. If he can be induced to dangle
elsewhere, the very association of bis name


which remains after his fitting interferes


with the market value of what he has


touched. The dangler is masculine flirt
! of puny kind. He is as unnatural as a
! male dancer and as worthless. He is
without courage or principles; but then he
! never claims either. Society has made
/ him, and society is responsible for him.
There is this, however, which the dangler
J forgets. He was originally kept in hands
!, !, for his own sake, then tolerated, or used as


a foil; and it is gross perversion of the


privileges be enjoyed to assume distinct


role of his own, and TO set up as it were
i on bis personal account The dangler is


not only terror and torment to moth
? ers, but he is often an abomination to mar
!, ried men with young wives. 1t is from


the stuff of which he is composed that the
: !, caraHer sorrento of the Continent is made.


Although the latter peculiar institution is
: not publicly popular in this country, it is
:. impossible to deny that it is altogether un-


known or uncutivated amongst those who


seek the consultations of Sir j. Wilde. In


nine cases out of ten, the perplexities


which engage the judge of the Divorce
!, Court arise out of the manners and GUS
5 toms of danglers. The dangler is more
n dangerous to gay wives than to lively


spinsiers. The former use him freely, and
find certain pleasure in keeping him by
them; but the latter are either bewildered
ID and puzzled, or half angry and kalf pleas.
y ed, at his attentions. That sin which We


never forgive when it is discovered, is not
q it should in fairness be said, an object OF
4 aim of the dangler. He does not follow


a married woman with the determination