Year: 1875

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Lady Blanche Murphy writes in the
Galaxy on the "London Marriage
Market saying: " A sad sight in Lon.
don society are the men or women Of
half dozen seasons, disenchantcd OF
their first genuine delight in mere
amusement, and disappointed in their
hope Of a "good marriage. They
remind one of the statue of salt which
Lot left in the wilderness, its blank
face turned YEARLY to the city whence
no more good could come. The un-
dignifed position of these veterans is
hidden from themselves least let us
| hope although apparent to all
Others. They generally go by some
nickname among their acquaintance,
and as years 90 on the chains of habit
become heavy on them, and when they
would be glad to drop out of the ranks,
somehow they cannot make up their
minds to do so. How often have we
seen such people. They would have


been delighted if chance had torn them
out of the silly round Of parties and
balls, and dropped them in a quiet
Richmond or Hampstead cottage,
smothered in vines, and set in a meadow
with few shade trees and a brook near
BY But they will never have the nerve
to put themselves there, and break
with the longing habits of their set.
They must 90 on, making the most of
their chance invitations to other mems
tables, other women's houses; they
struggle on, spending on their dress
and social appearance the little fortune
which in the ideal cottage would not
only keep them comfortably, but also
provide them with a charming and in
tellectual companion in the shape of a
husband or wife A great deal of non
sense has been talked in England about
the impossibility of living on three
hundred a year; but among scores the
man or woman could prove what non
sense it really is. Even in America,
where living is dearor, man and his
wife can live on 81 800 a year, and be
comfortable A great many of these
surface ornaments Of society Of whom
we have been speaking, especially men,
could live q happy, pleasant, cosy life,
full of interest and full Of work, on
the same sum which now barely keeps
them at their club and chambers, and
Just pays their tailor's bill.


A very prepossessing young lady,
canvassing for popular book, stepped
into the office Of real estate broker,
in Springfield, Massachusetts, the other
morning, and finding the broker appa-
rently at leisure, asked him to look at
her book. The gentleman politely III
formed her that it would only be a
waste of time as he could not purchase
i. "Oh, never mind that, calculated
the vivacious little woman; at won't
cost anything to look at it; even if
you don't buy, | should like to have
you read some portions of it and see
what it is" The accommodating
broker took the volume, and glancing
at the title page, commenced a perusal
of the introduction. This finished, he
began at the first chapter and read
carefully and leisurely along. 1t was
about,nine o'clock when he commenced
and an hour passed silently away.
Then the book agent began to exhibit
signs of nervousness, apparently I'M
noticed by the broker, for he never
raised his eyes from the volume, but
read steadily on. Eleven o'clock came,
and the lady began to walk rather
smartly about the room, glancing
occasionally out of the windows. At
noon the broker was still reading, and
the agent wore a decidedly troubled
countenace. a few minutes before
one o'clock the broker laid the book
down, leisurely took his overcoat and
hat, and remarked blandly: That is
a very good book. l am sorry that l
cannot read more of it, but | am
obliged to go to dinner. If you will
call in this afternoon, | Will read some
more Of it. ."