dozen) were as like her as one drop of acid is
like another.  My wife is dead—Heaven be
praised!—but the others survive, and they have
their imitators. The world of Paris lies before
them; may my guardian angel keep me out of
their way!"

Every guest applauded this tirade; whence
Vigneron concluded that they all agreed with
the orator. And though he had hitherto preached
the holy cause of matrimony, he could not help
admitting that the Parisian bachelors had some
little reason for their strike. M. About,
however, says: "Suitors of Paris, strike if you
please; but don't try to draw us into the
movement!  We are country people, and contrive to
find the wives we require, because we take the
trouble to fashion them ourselves.  I wish you
may hit upon the same happy method."

But, whether as a joke or a real fact, the
Publicité newspaper of Marseilles reports that
the matrimonial strike is gaining ground in
France. "Six thousand single men, from twenty
to forty vears of age, met on the common of
Belle-de-Mai, and there, hand in hand, swore
not to think of marrying until fresh orders;
that is, until a radical change has taken place
in our young ladies' ways and doings.  No more
ruinous dress; no more coquetry; no more
expensive idleness; but a return to economical
and homely life, to conduct becoming mothers
of families and the habits of modest wives. Such
are the terms laid down. Therefore, let the fair
sex in France take warning; the matter is more
serious than they fancy."

Still, a few advertisements, quite recently
inserted, prove that the universal nation has not
taken vows of celibacy. Samples are given,
with true initials and address, to enable our
readers to judge and act for themselves, entirely
on their own responsibility.

Marriage.—A Monsieur desires to unite
himself to a young lady with either small or
considerable fortune. Write, Post Restante, Paris.
V. A. S.

Notice to Families. — A young foreigner, a
very suitable match, and in the receipt of an
income of fifteen thousand francs, desires to
marry a young lady from seventeen to twenty
years of age, pretty, well educated, and
belonging to an honourable family. Write and send
portrait to M. Léon Rehana, Poste Restante,
Paris.

Three hundred single women or widows to
marry, in every position of fortune.—M.
Bourrillon, secret intermediary of families, 24, Rue
de Rivoli, receives visits every Tuesday,
Thursday, and Saturday, from two till five.

A Mr. of fifty-two years, income eight
thousand francs, desires to marry suitably. X. Jan.,
Poste Restante, Paris.

A Monsieur of forty years, income ten
thousand francs, would unite himself to a single lady
or widow of from twenty-five to thirty-five
years, possessing from fifty to one hundred
thousand francs dowry. M. M., post paid, Poste
Restante, Paris.

Serious Marriage.—A public functionary, of
irreproachable conduct, single, thirty-one years
of age, appointments two thousand four hundred
francs, very agreeable employment, taking little
time, and allowing him to engage in other
occupations, possessed of six thousand francs savings,
desires to espouse a young lady of respectable
family, with a portion, or an eligible little
establishment in Paris. Honourability is the first
requisite.  Write, pre paid, Poste Restante, to
the initials K. R. S.

AMATEUR FINANCE.

IN THREE PARTS.  PART I.

"Is it possible to live upon a hundred and
fifty pounds a year?"

This was the question I put to myself
one morning while occupied with my
after-breakfast pipe.  I had just sold out of the
army, and my commission had been disposed of
for the regulation price of eighteen hundred
pounds (for I was captain in an infantry
regiment), plus eight hundred pounds "above
regulation," which my successor, being a
wealthy man and very ambitious of promotion,
had given me, as an inducement to leave the
service.  This was the sum total of my worldly
riches—two thousand six hundred pounds; but
per contra, as the ledgers say, I owed some little
money: the after-crop of a not very large
quantity of debt seed, which I had sown with pretty
steady perseverance, during my ten years of
military life.  To make a long story short,
when I had settled with every one, had squared
matters with all my creditors, and had invested
my balance both securely and at a very favourable
rate of interest, my annual income, I found,
would come within a few shillings of one
hundred and fifty pounds.

Now, there are very different ways of
interpreting the meaning of the verb, to live. With
some people it means the wherewith to keep a
house over your head, feed and clothe yourself
and family, and pay your way as you go along.
To others, a town mansion, a country house, a
carriage, horses, grooms, footmen, and women
servants, are included in the actual necessaries of
life: to say nothing of an autumnal trip to the
Continent, fox-hunting in the winter, and parties
every night, during the London season. I have
known a country clergyman live respectably,
bring up a large family of children, pay his way
honestly, and put by something for a rainy day,
on five hundred pounds a year. I have also
known bachelors with five thousand per annum,
who were always in pecuniary difficulties.
With me, "to live," meant to have comfortable
lodgings in London; to be able to dine well at
"The Rag," whenever I was not invited out;
to have the wherewith to go to this or that,
friend's shooting-box in the autumn; to run over
for two or three weeks to Paris, in the spring,
and to Homburg, when so inclined; to have
money in moderation in my pocket whenever
I wanted it; in short, not to deny myself
anything in reason, for want of funds.  Could
this be done for a hundred and fifty pounds a