WOMAN’S "NO.”

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2447, 21 January 1881, Page 4

WOMAN’S "NO.”

London;" Truth ” offered a prizs for the best letter, the subject to be the refusal of an offer of marriage. The inundation nearly filled the editor’s office. Here are samples, beginning with “ Portia,” who took the prize Dear Mr -, I ain very, sorry j I appreciate you immensely, but I cannot •live the casket without the gem— Portia,

Dear Mr Caliban, —In declining the honor of an offer from you, I am constrained to own, in justice to my judgement, that I only refuse such a one because I have accepted such another.— Miranda.

Friend ever, husband never.—A.S.P. No, thank you. —Sweet Pea. Dear Mr , Take hack your offer. I cannot send a refusal to you, the friend Iso value and esteem.—Lanark.

No, dear ; mother says I mustn’t. — Poor Polly. Dear Sir, —In declining a proposal which I .trust you will, believe I appreciate as the highest compliment you could possibly have paid me, I beg to assure you, in all sincerity that upon a review of my own demerits it is my belief that my refusal of your offer of marriage is the best and most unselfish return I can make you.—Believe me, dear sir, yours sincerely—Pink Domino. My dear Edwin, —There is nothing in the world I value more than your friendship. You suggest to me the adoption of a course by which I should most certainly lose it. How cruel ! how unkind I Put the strength of xny regard makes me invulnerable to temptation. I am too much j T our friend to marry you, and such I hope always to remain. Ever your sincere friend—Angelina. Dear Sir, —You chanced to state accidental!}' in a recent conversation that your digestion was not good. This being the case, I feel it would be unwise for me to accept the proposal you have just made, for amiability of temper and chronic dj'apepsia, as I know too well from my dear father’s case, are utterly incompatible one with the other. A man with a bad digestion can, alas ! never make a good husband. Y’our sympathetically—Sarah Acton.