14 



Aev well upon the little anecdote we have told, and learn from it, the 

 true solution of the mystery, how it comes to pass, that a lady some-- 

 times becomes (even b}^ the slight circumstance o^ a bet) " the better 

 half of another /" — an expression they have, doubtless, very frequently 

 heard, but we venture to say, never before had satisfactorily explained to 

 them. 



The following notice of the origin of the custom appertaining to the 

 "ladies privilege" in Leap Year, will be found in an old volume, dated 

 1601, and entitled '"An act to amend the laws of Courtship and Matri- 

 tnonie :" 



" Albeit it is now become part of the common law in regard to the 

 social relations of life, that as often as every Bissextile year doth return, 

 the ladies have the sole privilege of making love unto the men ; and no 

 man will be entitled to the benefit of clergy, who doth refuse to accept 

 the offer of a lady, or who doth, in any wise, treat her proposal with 

 neglect or contumely." 



The traditional privilege of the fair sex, to take the initiative in mat- 

 ters of courtship during Leap Year, is familiar to every body, and has 

 often been made the subject of literary pleasantries. We may infer from 

 one instance, as above, how available it was to secure the happiness of 

 one couple, and with what becoming modesty on the part of her most 

 interested, " the consummation so devoutly to be wished" was brought 

 about. We cannot do otherwise, therefore, possessing, as we do, a most 

 philanthropic spirit, than wish, with all our heart, the privilege may be 

 so generously and generally exercise<l during every future Leap Year, 

 that all our young Jockies may have the blessed luck in store foi- them, 

 to experience — 



How vast must their advantajje be — 



How great their pleasure prove — 

 Who, when the question's popt, consent, 



In offices of Love ! 



In addition to what we have already said, in refei'ence to the attrac- 

 tions of oar annual meetings, we will further observe, that although 

 there is rot in Charleston the motley variety and assemblage to be seen 

 in " merrie old England," on a great field day — elegant equipages of all 

 sorts and styles, " with all the forms, modes and shows" of wealth and 

 rank — flags flying gaily from tent-tops — the rich and the poor — beg- 

 gars, " houseless wretches, that bide the pelting of the )>itiless storm," 

 from year to year — pickpockets, gypseys and gypsey children, all com- 

 mingled — making up a heterogeneous mass of mirth and excitement, 

 yet— 



" A looker on here in Vienna," 



