•_>S4 THE HI XTING 1 lELl) 



Added to this, Sir Rasper was in the heighday of youth, stood 

 six feet high in his stocking-feet, with a great deal of good 

 land, and a great deal of money in the funds — two most 

 desirable concomitants — moreover, he never laid out a shilling 

 in pills. 



Smasher (for so he is called by his friends) came to his title 

 from an uncle, at an earlier period than uncles are generally in 

 the habit of putting off their shoes, before which our hero had 

 lived at home with his mother, who had long held a commission 

 to get him a wife — a commission that we regret to say she had 

 departed this life without executing. Smashgate was an 

 exemplification of the good and dutiful son. for he was ready 

 to marr)' any one his mother recommended ; but thinking she 

 would be the best judge of the article, he just left it to her to 

 suit him, as he would the choice of a piece of linen for shirts, 

 or as he left it to Tilbury to supply him with horses. 

 Somehow Sir Rasper was never much in society, though many 

 great ladies had iiim high on their list of " eligibles," and 

 some had gone to no little trouble in "touting" him. 

 Whether his mother had put him up to a thing or two, or he 

 had too manly a mind to contend with the lisping butterfly 

 things he had to encounter we know not, but certainly, after 

 the death of his mother. Sir Rasper seemed more likel}' to be a 

 bachelor than a Benedict. 



We sometimes meet men like Sir Rasper Smashgate in the 

 world — men who seem neglected by the sex, just as we see 

 women neglected by the men. Indeed, there must be many 

 such, for it was only this morning we encountered the following 

 amusing advertisement in a Sunday paper : — 



•' AIatri.moxial Society. — Single ladies and gentlemen really desirous 

 of entering tliat state which heaven has adjudged to be the most conducive 

 to virtue and happiness, will find the above truly deserving of their 

 consideration and confidence. A select party of ladies and gentlemen, 

 combining rank, influence, character, talent, and e.xtensive acc|uaintance. 



