The Puff collusive, as described in the "Critic," has been constantly employed, of late, to aid the sale of fashionable Novels and Memoirs, like those attributed to Lady Charlotte Bury.

What Sir Lucius O'Trigger calls "a rather slightingly declined by an officer of pretty quarrel" is always an assistance to a the Household, evidently unacquainted with book; so is a prosecution, or an execution. the works, claims, or reputation of the wriFor example, an officer of rank was tried for ter, who was not the man to be put down in alleged disobedience of orders, and acquit- this manner. He took care that the matter ted. He ordered three thousand copies of should be mentioned to the Queen herself, his trial to be printed, fifty to be distributed who instantly caused her acceptance of the amongst his friends. At the end of a few offer to be notified in the most complimenmonths, being in want of cash, he went to tary and gracious terms. settle with his booksellers. The account was very simple. Debtor-the cost of paper, printing, and advertising. Creditorfifty copies given away; sixteen sold; 2934 on hand, and ready to be delivered to the author. "Why, how can this be," he exclaimed, "when five editions of Byng's trial were sold in a fortnight ?” Very true, sir, but the Admiral was shot." As an author may naturally wish to enjoy his immortality, it will hardly answer to get shot or hanged in striving for it; but a little persecution might be endured. The author of some satirical verses on the Chancellor Maupeon, in 1775, wrote as follows from England, where he had been compelled to take refuge

"MY LORD-I have never wished for more than 3000 francs a year; my first song, which displeased you so much, has gained me-simply because it displeased you-a capital of 30,000 francs, which, placed out at five per cent., makes half of my sum. Pray, show the same resentment against the new satire I send you; this will complete the revenue to which I aspire, and I promise you I will write no more."

It is generally thought that authors have gained in respectability since they ceased to depend on patrons, and looked solely to the public for support. The gain is extremely problematical when so many are found resorting to the most shameless arts of puffery; and the practice of begging subscriptions is nearly as rife as ever.

"He for subscribers baits his hook,

And takes your cash, but where's the book?
No matter where; wise fear, you know,
Forbids the robbing of a foe;

But what, to move our private ends,
Forbids the cheating of our friends?"

"The Puff collusive is the newest of any; for it acts in the disguise of determined hostility. It is much used by bold booksellers and enterpri sing poets. An indignant correspondent observes that the new poem called Beelzebub's Cotillion,or unjustifiable performances he ever read! The seProserpina's Fête-Champêtre, is one of the most verity with which certain characters are handled is quite shocking! And, as there are many descriptions in it too warmly colored for female delicacy, the shameful avidity with which this piece is bought by all people of fashion is a reproach on the taste of the times, and a disgrace to the delicacy of the age! Here you see the two strongought to read it; and secondly, that every body est inducements are held forth; first, that nobody uses it; on the strength of which the publisher boldly prints the tenth edition before he had sold off the first, and then establishes it by threatening himself with the pillory, or absolutely inditing himself for scan. mag.'

We cannot quit this branch of the subject without alluding to the extraordinary device hit upon by De Foe, to assist the sale of a book which had fallen still-born from the press. With this view, he published a pamphlet entitled, "The True History of the Apparition of one Mrs. Veal, the next day after her death, to me, Mrs. Bargrave, at Canterbury, the 8th day of September 1705, which Apparition recommends the perusal of Drelincourt's Book of Consolation against the Fears of Death." He contrived to give such an air of reality to the narra tive, that it was universally believed; and a dead person's opinion of a book on death being deemed infallible, the whole impression was rapidly sold off.

It is also not uncommon to find the Court The advertisements of north-country Circular announcing the presentation of Mr. schools were amusing documents until the So-and-So, to deliver a copy of his book; public became familiar with Do-the-boys' and the number of publications forwarded Hall and Mr. Squeers; since which they to her Majesty and Prince Albert has been have become diminished in numbers and so great, that orders have been given to re-moderated in tone. The following was ceive none. The author of the "Pleasures probably concocted before Nicholas Nickof Hope," not being aware of the regulation, and actuated by a genuine spirit of loyalty, wrote a note proposing to present a copy of the last edition of his works. The offer was

elby

"TO YOUNG WOMEN.-Wanted, in a genteel private Seminary for young gentlemen, a young person of respectability, fully competent to the

"To see a

"Where are you going?" said George Selwyn to an acquaintance. friend." "Well, I'll go with you, for I never saw one yet." It seems that his curiosity might have been gratified with little difficulty

charge and entire superintendence of twenty-five o'clock, to Mr. Dawers, perfumer, No. 16, Cralittle boys. She must be able to instruct them in ven Street, Strand." reading, spelling, writing, and the rudiments of history and geography. She will be expected to give her constant attention to the children; and, as the manners and deportment of young boys are matters of importance, it is requisite that she shall have moved in a genteel society. She will be expected to remain in the Establishment, on approval, for the first three months without salary, but her washing will be found her. If she "It is the general desire of princes and opustops after that period, her salary will be twenty-lent men to live friendless-they gain obsequifive pounds a-year, when she must find her own ousness, adulation, and dependents, but not laundress. She will have to wash the children's friends; the sycophants that surround them disfaces and hands every morning, and walk out appear when the lure that attracted them is lost: twice with them daily; to keep their wardrobes beguiled by blandishments, deceived by hypocin repair, and mend their stockings in the eve-risy, and lulled by professions, they do not disning, after which her time will be her own, and cover imposture till adversity detects it. The she will mix with the family. On Saturdays she evil is unbounded-they never obtain a sincere will have to comb their heads with the small- opinion, whether regarding pecuniary embartooth comb, and after the servant has washed rassment or domestic dissension-in any pertheir feet, she will cut their toe-nails; but on no plexed and unhappy event they receive no counaccount must she chastise the children-the la-sel but that which benefits the sinister views of dies of the Establishment reserve to themselves that him who gives it. Of what advantage is fortune privilege, having a peculiar method of their own.if it transforms friends into parasites, and we are In matters of this sort it is best to be explicit; to live in constant delusion; or, isolated and seand therefore it is right to mention, that during cluded, we must exist like hermits, to shun interthe Christmas and Midsummer vacations she course with our fellow beings, and escape perfidy? will be allowed three weeks to visit her friends, One whose affluence precludes speculation, who but will not be permitted to be absent on any has proved himself undaunted in danger and unpretence during the half-years. She will have shaken in fidelity, proffers his friendship to him the advantage of visiting the parish church twice who deserves it, and will know how to apprecion a Sunday with the children, and hearing them ate it;-his reading has not afforded mere absay their prayers every morning and evening.stract knowledge, but has been rendered auxiliUnexceptionable references will be required as ary for a vast intercourse with the living world; to temper, character, and respectability. Ad-years have furnished experience, reflection has dress, post-paid, L. L. 51, Poultry."

improved it; his advice and aid he hopes is not insignificant, be the station of him who requires them ever so elevated. As there can be no independence where there is not equality of circumstances, no one of inferior condition can be

noticed."

earnest

Here is another, little less exacting"A Cook-Housemaid, or Housemaid-Cook is wanted, for the service of a single gentleman, where only one other, a man-servant, is kept.The age of the woman wanted must not be less From the zeal with which the following than 25, nor more than 40 years; and it is re-advertisement was repeated day after day, quisite that she should be equally excellent in it is to be presumed that the writer was in the two capacities of cook and housemaid. Her character must be unexceptionable for sobriety, honesty, and cleanliness. The sobriety, how- "To INDEPENDENT GENTLEMEN.-WANTED, ever, which consists in drinking deep without by a respectable, modest young man, who can staggering, will not do; nor will the honesty produce a cubic yard of testimonials, a living suffice which would make up for the possible without a master-that is, he wishes to become absence of pilfering by waste. Neither will the a companion to some gentleman, and be his faccleanliness answer which is content with bust- totum. He can ride, shoot, sing, fish, (but never ling only before the employer's eyes-a sure better than his patron, without he is wanted,) symptom of a slattern. The servant advertised keep accounts, see that servants do their duty, for must be thoroughly and truly cleanly, hon- do twenty other things equally necessary in this est, and sober. As it is probable that not a drab life, and make it his whole duty to please and be out of place who reads this advertisement but pleased. Any one seriously wishing such a perwill be for imposing herself, though perhaps in-son, may address, post-paid, to Z., to be left at capable of cooking a sprat, and about as nice as 41, Haymarket." a Hottentot, all such are warned not to give themselves useless trouble. On the other hand, a steady clean woman, really answering the above description, will, by applying as below, hear of a place not easily equalled in comfort; A marriage advertisement is now generwhere the wages are good and constantly increasing, and where servants are treated as fel-ally regarded as a hoax; but a prospectus low-creatures, and with a kindness which, to the discredit of their class, is seldom merited. Personal application to be made, from one to three

It is much to be regretted that led Captains have gone out of fashion. This gentleman would have made an excellent one.

put forth a year or two ago by a Mr. and Mrs. Proudfoot, looked like business, and was certainly not intended as a joke. It

professes to be composed for this worthy |py to say, is succeeding in a manner far beyond couple by a clergyman of the Church of his most sanguine expectations. England and graduate of the University of Oxford. He begins thus

"THE Success which in other countries has attended Establishments for the purpose of promoting Matrimonial Alliances, first inspired the idea of undertaking a similar project here. It is well known that in the cities of France, Holland, and Germany, such Establishments exist, and have been, for a long course of years, productive of the greatest benefit. If, in the comparatively limited circle of the population of these cities, it has been found advantageous that means of introduction to that state of life which the language of religion styles 'holy,' and the voice of all ages and nations pronounces to be 'honorable,' should be rendered easy of access-how much more necessary must they not appear in such a population as that of London, the very vastness of which acts only as a barrier against the formation of intimacies or friendships? It is proverbial, that people may live here all their lives in utter ignorance of their next door neighbor; and the experience of every one will suggest to him how narrow and circumscribed are the limits of the circle in which he moves."

"In conclusion, he has only to add, that untiring zeal and implicit secrecy may be depended upon, both upon his own part and on that of his lady. He reflects with much pleasure, that he has been already instrumental in procuring honorable connexions and sincere happiness to many, who otherwise might have spent their days in degrading attachments, or unhappy ne. glect; and as he knows that his own feelings are pure and spotless, he can fearlessly assure any lady or gentleman, whose eye this may meet, that there is nothing in the slightest degree improper or indecorous in their employing him as an humble agent in endeavoring to guide them prosperously in taking what must always be considered the most important step in life."

This prospectus was put into circulation two or three years ago. An advertisement which appeared within the year, proves the continuance, if not the prosperity, of the establishment

"MATRIMONIAL ALLIANCE.-The Pamphlets, Rules, and Regulations of this Establishment, for promoting MATRIMONIAL ALLIANCES, may be obtained by applying to A. B., care of Mr. ProudSomething of the sort has certainly exist- foot, 63, Mortimer Street, Cavendish Square.ed at Paris. In a country where matches Price of the pamphlet, 1s. The Portfolio of are frequently made up by the families or February is now ready, containing letters from friends of the parties, without much regard gentlemen in every sphere of life, possessing to prior inclination on either part, it is no property from £400 to £3000 per annum, and great step to call in the assistance of stran-may be purchased or inspected by ladies, free of charge, at the agent's, 63, Mortimer Street, as gers. One instance has become notorious. above." Monsieur Lafarge procured his wife through a marriage-broker; but possibly Mr. Proudfoot will not thank us for the precedent.The clergyman, after a few judicious obser: vations on the artificial state of society, and the difficulty which is experienced by young ladies, particularly clergymen's daughters, in finding husbands, proceeds to describe the constitution of the establishment

"It is conducted by a gentleman and his wife, both persons of the highest character, respectability, and connexions. They have separate houses at some distance from each, at which the husband gives interviews to gentlemen, and his wife to ladies. The negotiations are conducted in conformity with printed rules, from which not the slightest deviation will be allowed, and every thing is managed in a manner which cannot offend the most fastidious delicacy, or deter the most easily excited diffidence. It is quite impossible that ladies or gentlemen applying to the establishment can see each other, until a meeting be finally and satisfactorily arranged, and all effects of idle curiosity are effectually checked. The rules are to be purchased for ten shillings-the price is set upon them for no other reason than as some guard against the thoughtless, the idle, or the ill-disposed-at Mr. Proudfoot's, 63, Mortimer Street, Cavendish Square, and they entitle the purchaser to a speedy interview. In these rules will be found a thorough explanation of the whole system, which, the Director is hap

The favor shown to ladies is sufficiently exemplified by the fact, that the portfolio, which they are allowed to inspect gratis, is charged two guineas to gentlemen.

monial advertisement may be allowed-
A single specimen of the regular matri-

"WANTED-A Young Lady, about 17 or 21 years of age as a wife. She must be well acquainted with the necessary accomplishments of such; she must understand washing and ironing, baking bread, making good coffee, roasting beef, veal, etc., boiling a fowl, broiling a fish, making tarts, plum-puddings, and desserts of all kinds, preserving fruits and pickles, expert with the needle, keeping a clean and snug house; must know reading, writing, and arithmetic; never been in the habit of attending the ball-rooms; she must have been taught true and genuine principles of religion, and a member in a Church of good standing. She must not be addicted to making too free use of her tongue, such as repeating any report that is injurious to her neighbor; or using any taunting language to any person about her house. Any lady finding herself in possession of the above accomplishments, will please address to ALPHONSO. It will not be required that she should exercise all those requisites unless a change in fortune should take place, at which time it will be necessary, in order to live with such economy as to prevent a trespass on our friends, whose frowns and caprices we otherwise must endure, which every man of

noble mind will despise. At present, she shall canvass, and analyzed the scrapings, in the have a coach and four at her command, servants hope of discovering the secret of that great in abundance, a house furnished in the first master in coloring; but it seems that the modern style; shall always be treated with that tender affection which female delicacy requires, required richness and mellowness of tone and nothing shall be wanting that will be neces- might have been obtained at a cheaper rate, sary to contribute to her happiness." by scraping or pounding a mummy

The next may also be placed under the Dutch breeds, so very small that ladies may put head of matrimonythem in their muffs or pockets. "N. B.-Some all white."

"MAY THE WINGS OF EXTRAVAGANCE BE CLIPPED BY THE SCISSORS OF ECONOMY-Was the constant toast of a person who knew very well the value of a sixpence. To all good economists would Romanis wish to be recommended, though but a bad practitioner himself, (he is a little like the clergy-Don't do as I do, but as I tell you to The words in italics enable us to fix the do.') When you want real good Stockings at a low price, come to the Sign of the Regent, 33 in date of this gentleman's announcement.Cheapside-there you have them in perfection, He evidently flourished about the time of