Two gentlemen, one a Spaniard, and the other a German, who were
recommended, by their birth and services, to the emperor Maximilian
II., both courted his daughter, the fair Helene Scharfequinn, in
marriage. This prince, after a long delay, one day informed them, that
esteeming them equally, and not being able to bestow a preference, he
should leave it to the force and address of the claimants to decide the
question. He did not mean, however, to risk the loss of one or the
other, or perhaps of both. He could not, therefore, permit them to
encounter with offensive weapons, but had ordered a large bag to be
produced. It was his decree, that whichever succeeded in putting his
rival into this bag should obtain the hand of his daughter. This
singular encounter between the two gentlemen took place in the face of
the whole court. The contest lasted for more than an hour. At length the
Spaniard yielded, and the German, Ehberhard, baron de Talbert, having
planted his rival in the bag, took it upon his back, and very gallantly
laid it at the feet of his mistress, whom he espoused the next day.
Such is the story, as gravely told by M. de St. Foix. It is impossible
to say what the feelings of a successful combatant in a duel may be, on
his having passed a small sword through the body, or a bullet through
the _thorax_, of his antagonist; but might he not feel quite as elated,
and more consoled, on having put his adversary “into a _bag_?”
* * * * *
“A NEW MATRIMONIAL PLAN.”
This is the title of a bill printed and distributed four or five years
ago, and now before me, advertising “an establishment where persons of
all classes, who are anxious to sweeten life, by repairing to the _altar
of Hymen_, have an opportunity of meeting with proper partners.” The
“plan” says, “their personal attendance is not absolutely necessary, a
statement of facts is all that is required at first.” The method is
simply this, for the parties to become _subscribers_, the amount to be
regulated according to circumstances, and that they should be arranged
in classes in the following order, viz.
“_Ladies._
“1st Class. I am twenty years of age, heiress to an estate in the
county of Essex of the value of 30,000_l._, well educated, and of
domestic habits; of an agreeable, lively disposition and genteel
figure. Religion that of my future husband.
“2d Class. I am thirty years of age, a widow, in the grocery line in
London--have children; of middle stature, full made, fair complexion
and hair, temper agreeable, worth 3,000_l._
“3d Class. I am tall and thin, a little lame in the hip, of a lively
disposition, conversable, twenty years of age, live with my father,
who, if I marry with his consent, will give me 1,000_l._
“4th Class. I am twenty years of age; mild disposition and manners;
allowed to be personable.
“5th Class. I am sixty years of age; income limited; active, and
rather agreeable.
“_Gentlemen._
“1st Class. A young gentleman with dark eyes and hair; stout made;
well educated; have an estate of 500_l._ per annum in the county of
Kent; besides 10,000_l._ in the three per cent. consolidated
annuities; am of an affable disposition, and very affectionate.
“2d Class. I am forty years of age, tall and slender, fair complexion
and hair, well tempered and of sober habits, have a situation in the
Excise of 300_l._ per annum, and a small estate in Wales of the annual
value of 150_l._
“3d Class. A tradesman in the city of Bristol, in a ready-money
business, turning 150_l._ per week, at a profit of 10_l._ per cent.,
pretty well tempered, lively, and fond of home.
“4th Class. I am fifty-eight years of age; a widower, without
incumbrance; retired from business upon a small income; healthy
constitution; and of domestic habits.
“5th Class. I am twenty-five years of age; a mechanic, of sober
habits; industrious, and of respectable connections.
“It is presumed that the public will not find any difficulty in
describing themselves; if they should, they will have the assistance of
the managers, who will be in attendance at the office, No. 5, Great St.
Helen’s, Bishopgate-street, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, between
the hours of eleven and three o’clock.--Please to inquire for Mr.
Jameson, up one pair of stairs. All letters to be post paid.
“The subscribers are to be furnished with a list of descriptions, and
when one occurs likely to suit, the parties may correspond; and if
mutually approved, the interview may be afterwards arranged. Further
particulars may be had as above.”
Such a strange device in our own time, for catching would-be lovers,
seems incredible, and yet here is the printed plan, with the name and
address of the match-making gentleman you are to inquire for “up one
pair of stairs.”
* * * * *
~Topographical Memoranda.~