have their eyes open to the main chance and their
material responsibilities. 'ANXIOUS TO KNOW,' for example, is informed
that 'The widow, unless otherwise decreed, keeps possession of furniture
on her marriage, and the daughter cannot claim it;' while SKIBBS is
assured that 'After such a lapse of time there will be no danger of a
warrant being issued for leaving his wife and family chargeable to the
parish.'

As when Mr. Wilkie Collins made his first voyage of discovery into these
unknown latitudes, the penny journals are largely used for forming
matrimonial engagements, and for adjudicating upon all questions of
propriety in connection with the affections. 'It is just bordering on
folly,' 'NANCY BLAKE' is informed, 'to marry a man six years your
junior.' In answer to an inquiry from 'LOVING OLIVIA' whether 'an
engaged gentleman is at liberty to go to a theatre without taking his
young lady with him,' she is told 'Yes; but we imagine he would not
often do so.'

Some tender questions are mixed up with others of a more practical sort.
'LADY HILDA' is informed that 'it is very seldom children are born
healthy whose father has married before he is three-and-twenty; that
long engagements are not only unnecessary but injurious; and that
washing the head will remove the scurf.' 'LEONE' is assured that 'it is
not necessary to be married in two churches, one being quite
sufficient;' that 'there is no truth in the saying that it is unlucky to
marry a person of the same complexion;' and that 'a gentle aperient will
remove nettle-rash.'

'VIRGINIE' (who, by the way, should surely be VIRGINIUS) is thus
tenderly sympathised with:

'It does seem rather hard that you should be deprived of all opportunity
of having a _tete-a-tete_ with your betrothed, owing to her being
obliged to entertain other company, although there are others of the
family who can do so; still, as her mother insists upon it, and will not
let you enjoy the society of her daughter uninterrupted, you might
resort to a little harmless strategy, and whenever your stated evenings
for calling are broken in on that way, ask the young lady to take a walk
with you, or go to a place of amusement. She can then excuse herself to
her friends without a breach of etiquette, and you can enjoy your
_tete-a-tete_ undisturbed.'

The photographs of lady correspondents which are received by the editors
of most of these journals are apparently very numerous, and, if we may
believe