The first column of one of the most prominent daily newspapers, which is
taken in many respectable families of the city, and which claims to be at
the head of American journalism, bears the above heading, and there is
also a personal column in a prominent Sunday paper, which is also read by
many respectable people. Very many persons are inclined to smile at
these communications, and are far from supposing that these journals are
making themselves the mediums through which assignations and burglaries,
and almost every disreputable enterprise are arranged and carried on.
Yet, such is the fact. Many of these advertisements are inserted by
notorious roues, and others are from women of the town. Women wishing to
meet their lovers, or men their mistresses, use these personal columns.
Respectable women have much to annoy them in the street conveyances, and
at the places of amusement. If a lady allows her face to wear a pleasant
expression while glancing by the merest chance at a man, she is very apt
to find some such personal as the following addressed to her in the next
morning's issue of the paper referred to:
THIRD AVENUE CAR, DOWN TOWN YESTERDAY morning; young lady in black, who
noticed gent opposite, who endeavored to draw her attention to Personal
column of --- in his hand, will oblige admirer by sending address to B.,
Box 102, --- office.
If she is a vile woman, undoubtedly she will do so, and that
establishment will deliver her letter, and do its part in helping on the
assignation.
A gentleman will bow to a lady, and she, thinking it may be a friend,
returns the bow. The next day appears the following:
TALL LADY DRESSED IN BLACK, WHO acknowledged gentleman's salute, Broadway
and Tenth street, please address D., box 119, --- office, if she wishes
to form his acquaintance.
Sometimes a man will whisper the word "personal" to the lady whom he
dares not insult further, and the next day the following appears:
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 4 P.M.--"CAN YOU answer a personal?" Fifth avenue
stage from Grand to Twenty-third street. Please address BEN. VAN DYKE,
--- office, appointing interview. To prevent mistake, mention some
particulars.
Others more modest:
WILL THE LADY THAT WAS LEFT WAITING by her companion on Monday evening,
near the door of an up-town theatre, grant an interview to the gentleman
that would have spoken if he had thought the place appropriate? Address
ROMANO, --- office.
It is really dangerous to notice a patron of the paper mentioned, for he
immediately considers it ground for a personal, such as the following:
LADY IN GRAND STREET CAR, SATURDAY evening 7.30.--Had on plaid shawl,
black silk dress; noticed gentleman in front; both got out at Bowery;
will oblige by sending her address to C. L., box 199, --- office.
Young ladies with attendants are not more free from this public insult,
as shown by the following:
WILL THE YOUNG LADY THAT GOT OUT OF a Fifth avenue stage, with a
gentleman with a cap on at 10 yesterday, at Forty-sixth street, address
E. ROBERTS, New York Post-office.
This public notice must be pleasing to the young lady and to "the
gentleman with the cap on." It is a notice that the gentleman believes
the lady to be willing to have an intrigue with him. If it goes as far
as that, this newspaper will lend its columns to the assignation as
follows:
LOUISE K.--DEAR, I HAVE RECEIVED YOUR letter, last Saturday, but not in
time to meet you. Next Tuesday, Dec. 7, I will meet you at the same time
and place. East. Write to me again, and give your address. Your old
acquaintance.
Or as follows: