re is more skilful in love than in law, and appears once or
twice in a very amiable light while under the influence of the tender
passion. We find him at the head of one of those useful establishments
unknown in our country--a Bureau de Mariage: half a dozen of such places
are daily advertised in the journals: and "une veuve de trente ans ayant
une fortune de deux cent mille francs," or "une demoiselle de quinze
aus, jolie, d'une famille tres distinguee, qui possede trente mille
livres de rentes,"--continually, in this kind-hearted way, are offering
themselves to the public: sometimes it is a gentleman, with a "physique
agreable,--des talens de societe"--and a place under Government,
who makes a sacrifice of himself in a similar manner. In our little
historical gallery we find this philanthropic anti-Malthusian at
the head of an establishment of this kind, introducing a very
meek, simple-looking bachelor to some distinguished ladies of his
connoissance. "Let me present you, sir, to Madame de St. Bertrand"
(it is our old friend), "veuve de la grande armee, et Mdlle Eloa de
Wormspire. Ces dames brulent de l'envie de faire votre connoissance. Je
les ai invitees a diner chez vous ce soir: vous nous menerez a l'opera,
et nous ferons une petite partie d'ecarte. Tenez vous bien, M. Gobard!
ces dames ont des projets sur vous!"

Happy Gobard! happy system, which can thus bring the pure and loving
together, and acts as the best ally of Hymen! The announcement of
the rank and titles of Madame de St. Bertrand--"veuve de la grande
armee"--is very happy. "La grande armee" has been a father to more
orphans, and a husband to more widows, than it ever made. Mistresses of
cafes, old governesses, keepers of boarding-houses, genteel beggars, and
ladies of lower rank still, have this favorite pedigree. They have all
had malheurs (what kind it is needless to particularize), they are all
connected with the grand homme, and their fathers were all colonels.
This title exactly answers to the "clergyman's daughter" in England--as,
"A young lady, the daughter of a clergyman, is desirous to teach,"
&c. "A clergyman's widow receives into her house a few select," and so
forth. "Appeal to the benevolent.--By a series of unheard-of calamities,
a young lady, daughter of a clergyman in the west of England, has been
plunged," &c. &c. The difference is curious, as indicating the standard
of respectability.

The male beggar of fashion is not so well known