LOVERS' GIFTS.

Observer, Volume 4, Issue 89, 27 May 1882, Page 163

LOVERS' GIFTS.

j Whether or not lovers' gifts legally revert to the giver, whenever the course of true love is interrupted, is a vexed and oft-debated question upon which manyyoung persons will doubtless be glad to have a clear ruling. Some lovers, like the swain of Otamatea, transfer their presents as often as they change their affections, making the same set of bracelets and collars do duty in a aeries of courtships, until the articles ultimately become worn out in the process, or their mutable affections find a stable resting place. The plan is excellent, from an economical point of view, but is not to be recommended for general adoption. It is likely to give rise to inconvenience, and misunderstanding, or to encourage such a complete bouleversement as that which befell the Fairburn trinkets, as described some weeks ago in these columns. But revenon a nos moutons. At the Olerkenwell Police Court, London, a magistrate named Barstow — not our Barstow of blessed memory, but a namesake — was waited upon by a " well - dressed fashionable woman," whose daughter had been wooed by a young man. The flatter had presented sundry tokens of his affection'in the form of an engagement ring, brooch, and other jewellery, besidesornaments and articles

of vertu.i On the d_ay appointed for the marriage the fickle bridegroom broke off the match, and demanded the restoration of hia presents. When this was refused he threatened legal proceedings.' Mr Barstow said nothing was considered freer than a gift, the girl was entitled to retain the presents, and any application for a summons would be refused, as the man had no legal right to the articles. A knowledge of this fact, ought to make some lovers a little more chary of giving presents, until they are quite sure of their ground