SEARCH FOR WIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume VIII, Issue 431, 20 February 1875, Page 5 (Supplement)

SEARCH FOR WIVES.

Where do men usually discovJ^JJ women who afterwards become their wives is a question we have occasionally heard discussed, and the custom has invariably become of value to young lady readers. Chance has much to do in the affair ; but then there are important governing circumstances. It is certain that few men make a selection from ball-rooms, or any other places of public gaiety; 'and nearly as few are influenced by what we may call showing off in the streets ; or by any allurements of dress. Our conviction is, that Maefc** nine hundreths of all the finery, with which women decorate or load their persons go for nothing, as far as hus-band-catching is concerned. Where and how, then, do nen find their wives ? In the qniet homes of their parents or guardians— at the fireside, where the domestic graces and feelings are alone demonstrated. These are the charms which most surely attract the high as well as the humble. Against all the finery and airs in the world sink into insignificance. We shall illustrate tfsc , by an anecdote, which, though not neto, will not be the worse for being agim told :— ln the year 1773, Peter BifcifcH, Esq., of Beckenham, in Kent, wliose health was raeiply declining, was advised by his physicians to go to Spa ffir the recovery of his health. ,4l\s daughters feared that those who had only motives entirely nercenary would nofpay him that attenticn which he might expect from those who, from duty and affection united, would feel the greatest pleasure in ministering to his ease and comfort ; they, therefore resolved to accompany him. They* paoved that it was not a spirit of dissi-^j pation and gaiety that led them to Spa, i for they were not to be seen in any of' the gay and fashionable circles; they were never out of their father's company, and never stirred from home except to attend him either to take the air or drink the waters— in a word, they lived a most recluse life, ih the midst of a town then the resort of the most.jjlustrious and fashionable personages of Europe. This exemplary attention to their father procured these three aminable sisters the admiration of all the English at Spa, and was the cause of rheir elevation to" that rank in life to which their merits ?ave them so just a title. They all wef^mttffi^to" nobleman— one to the Etai of Beverly ; and a third to the Duke of Northumberland. And it is justice to them to say that they reflected honour to their rank, rather than derived any from it.