Among the curious institutions in Paris, is an establishment by a
marriage negotiator, by means of which persons who are seeking for wives
are enabled to view all the females upon his list, who are placed in
different rooms with glazed doors, so classed as to give an easy
reference to the particulars on his books, as to their ages, fortunes,
and qualifications. When the inspector is satisfied with these
particulars, and with the personal appearance, an interview takes place,
and the bargain is struck.
* * * * *
Captain Basil Hall has addressed a letter to a Scotch newspaper, stating
that the story of his _walking_ 16,000 miles in fifteen months, is
a hoax--the whole journey being performed in land conveyances and
steam-vessels! Not a line is written of the "Book" of these exploits,
said to be "in the press;" the latter is by no means so great a blunder
as the former.
* * * * *
A facetious _gourmand_ suggests that the old story of "lighting a candle
to the devil," or as it has been corrupted, "_holding_ a candle to the
devil," probably arose from the adage of "GOD sends meat, and the devil
sends cooks,"--and was an offering to his Infernal Majesty, by some
epicure who was in want of a cook.
* * * * *