MARRIAGE A-LA-MODE. 179 



dest to say that no exaggeration prevailed ; for I felt that it was a 

 matter both of course and of necessity to write up to the fixed 

 standard of matrimonial advertisements generally. As for my wants, 

 the lady was required to possess certain stated personal qualifications, 

 which were in fact precisely those of my adored Perdita ; whilst the 

 quite unusual intimation was added, that money was no object (for 

 indeed I was in the mood to hug poverty itself, if it should prove to 

 be one of her attributes) ; and it was particularly requested in a P.S. 

 that, in order to save trouble, no absolutely red-haired lady would 

 apply. In tip-toe expectation I tripped along to Catherine-street. 

 Five-arid-twenty shillings were demanded for my advertisement ; for 

 I found it was the custom to tax hymeneal aspirants at a somewhat 

 higher rate than people of ordinary business perhaps because they 

 are discovered to be regardless of expense. But let that pass. 



As the two-penny post time advanced, my agitation was excessive. 

 Not being a vain man, I am afraid to say how many answers I re- 

 ceived to my advertisement. I have destroyed nearly twenty ; and 

 the remainder but no matter. To their credit, be it said, they (the 

 respondents) did not all lay claim to every charm specified in the re- 

 quisition. They invariably, however, (with owe exception) warranted 

 their capability of becoming excellent and truly affectionate wives. 



Several of the letters resulted in interviews with the fair epistoli- 

 zers. Alas ! all the tremours of previous suspense were rewarded in 

 these cases with nothing beyond the confirmation of a vexatious fact 

 that of the imperturbable obtrusiveness of red hair. And then 

 three of the parties, in spite of the evidence of my burning eyes, would 

 stand me out that their hair was not red ! Was this the innocence of 

 self-delusion, or the wilfulness of desperation ? 



I was now again preparing to sink into despondency ; but that one 

 reply which I have above alluded to, as specially differing from the 

 rest, was yet unresponded to. Its laconic dignity, however lady-like, 

 had perhaps a little offended my sense of importance. Should .1 

 nevertheless appoint an interview with the fair principal ? I did so 

 and oh ! raptures of heaven upon earth I beheld, in full bodily 

 presence the sweet, unconscious monopolist of all my affections my 

 peerless Perdita, with all her charms about her, including, in luxuri- 

 ant pre-eminence, those incomparable auburn tresses ! 



Having arrived at such a climax, I can scarce descend into subse- 

 quent particulars. The story of my passion and its romantic endu- 

 rance through every obstacle was not thrown away upon her, who 

 was the adorable object of it. We were married the next day. To 

 describe my happiness would be to portray paradise I have no 

 terms for it. 



I am not a superstitious man ; but after such a passage in my life, 

 can I refuse to think that visions are less visionary than they are com- 

 monly taken for ? No : I certainly am now for Dr. Johnson and a 

 moderate faith in dreams. Neither shall I be henceforward insensible 

 to the impression of curious coincidences ; for it is a decided instance 

 of this nature that the real name of my bride proved to be Catherine, 

 in remarkable accordance with that of the street where it is well known 

 the Morning Herald yields its daily oracles to the world. Rich 



