To obviate the difficulties and remove the perplexing doubts of cautious
men, myself and a party of friends, who have a large acquaintance in
London and its vicinity, propose publishing a work in monthly parts,
which we mean to entitle "The Bachelor's Vade-mecum, or a sure guide to
a good match." It will contain a list of all genuine and undoubted
heiresses in the metropolis, and within ten miles around it, and of
those ladies whose fortune depends on contingencies: as our
correspondence and information increase, we shall hope to extend the
circle of our inquiries, and we solicit those communications and
assistances which the extent and utility of our plan require and
deserve. Notices will be given of all who drop off by death and
marriage, and of those whose value may be unexpectedly increased by a
legacy, or a sister or brother's decease. Particular attention will be
paid to rich widows.--The first part of this truly useful work is nearly
ready for the press; and we flatter ourselves that its arrangement and
execution will excite universal applause. The particulars concerning
each lady will be distributed under four heads; the first will be
devoted to her fortune and expectations; the second to a description of
her person; the third to non-essentials; and under the fourth will be
found hints as to the readiest means of approach, cautions against
offending peculiar tastes or prejudices, and much interesting and
valuable information.--A more clear idea, however, of our scheme will be
conveyed by subjoining a few specimens taken at random from our first
number, which will contain about seventy-five articles.
No. 14.
_Fortune_.--10,000_l_. certain, left by a grandfather; two brothers have
the same, one of whom is likely to die before he is of age, which would
produce 5,000_l_. more. The father in business, supposed to live up to
his income. A rich, single aunt, but not on terms, on account of No.
14's love of waltzing. A prudent husband might easily effect a
reconciliation.
_Person_.--Fair, with red hair, and freckled, nose depressed, brow
contracted, figure good, two false teeth.
_Non-essentials_.--Bad-tempered, economical almost to parsimony. Sings a
great deal, but has no voice. Dances well; a Roman Catholic.
_Miscellaneous Information_.--Fond of winning at cards. A particular
dislike to large whiskers; disapproves of hunting; makes her own gowns,
and likes to have them admired.
No. 26.
_Fortune_.--16,000_l_. from her father, who is dead, and 10,000_l_. more
certain on the death of her mother, who is at present ill. It is hoped
that her complaint is dropsy, but more information on this point shall
be given in our next Number.
_Person_.--Fair, with fine blue eyes, good teeth, beautiful light hair.
Tall and well made. Hands and feet bad.
_Non-essentials_.--Weak in understanding, and rather ungovernable in
temper. Has been taught all fashionable accomplishments; plays well on
the harp; sings Italian. Bites her nails, cannot pronounce her h's, and
misplaces her v's and w's. Her father was a butcher.
_Miscellaneous Information_.--Keeps a recipe-book, and is fond of
prescribing for colds and tooth-aches. Has a great dislike to lawyers.
Eats onions. Fond of bull-finches and canary-birds. Collects seals.
Attends lectures on chemistry. Sits with her mouth open.
No. 43.
_Fortune_.--60,000_l_. in her own disposal.
_Person_.--Aquiline nose, large dark eyes, tall and thin. Fine teeth and
hair, supposed false; but the lady's-maid has high wages, and has not
yet been brought to confess.
_Non-essentials_.--Plays well on the piano. Good-tempered. Aged
sixty-three. Evangelical, and a blue-stocking.
_Miscellaneous Information_.--Dislikes military and naval men. Fond of
hares and trout. Has a great objection to waltzing. Aunt to No. 14. A
prudent man might easily widen the breach between them. Attends
Bible-meetings and charity-schools. Lame of one leg.
No. 61.
_Fortune_.--An only child; father a widower, with landed property to the
amount of 1,500_l_. per annum, and 40,000_l_. in the Three per Cents. It
is possible he may marry again, but it is hoped that this may not occur.
The daughter lives with a maternal aunt.
_Person_.--A decidedly handsome brunette. Tall, and well made.
_Non-essentials_.--Charitable almost beyond her means; from which, and
her wishing her father to marry, she is supposed to be extremely weak.
Temper excellent; said to be well educated, but of too retiring a
disposition to allow of our discovering the fact without more trouble
than the matter is worth.
_Miscellaneous Information_.--Fond of the country. Goes twice to church
on Sundays; but this affords no opportunity to a lover, as she never
looks about her. Has an uncle a bishop, which may recommend her to a
clergyman.
Every person who has directed his attention to the subject, must
perceive at a glance the immense utility of a work of this nature,
conducted, as it will be, by men who pledge their characters on the
correctness of the information they convey. When a bachelor decides on
marriage, by running over a few pages of our work, he will, in half an
hour, be able to select a desirable match; by applying at our office,
and giving testimonials of his respectability, he will receive the
lady's name and address; and he may then pursue his object with a calm
tranquillity of mind, a settled determination of purpose, which are in
themselves the heralds and pledges of success. Or, should he meet in
society a lady who pleases his taste, before resigning himself to his
admiration, he will make inquiries at our office as to the number under
which we have placed her in our list; and should she be of too little
value to deserve a place in it, he will vigorously root her from his
imagination, and suffer himself no longer to hover round her perilous
charms, "come al lume farfalla."--_New Monthly Magazine_.
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