History of Proposals

[Illustration]

The Natural History of Proposals

[Sidenote: The Inquiring Spinster]

There is no subject which presents more difficulties to the inquiring
spinster. Contemporary spinsters, when approached upon the topic, are
anything but encouraging; apparently lacking the ability to distinguish
between impertinent intrusion into their personal affairs and the
scientific spirit which prompts the collection of statistics.

Married women, when asked to repeat the exact language of the lover at
the happy moment, are wont to transfix the sensitive aspirant for
knowledge with lofty scorn. Mothers are accustomed to dissemble and say
they "have forgotten." Men in general are uncommunicative, though
occasionally some rare soul will expand under the influence of food and
freely give more valuable information than can be extracted from an
indefinite number of women.

One's own experience is naturally limited, even though proposals
constitute the main joy and excitement of the spinster's monotonous
life. Emerson says: "All is sour if seen as experience," though the
gentle sage was not referring especially to offers of marriage.
Nevertheless, there is a charm about other people's affairs which would
render life beautiful indeed if it could be added to one's own.

Nothing strengthens a woman's self-confidence like a proposal. One is a
wonder, two a superfluity, and three an epidemic. Four are proof of
unusual charm, five go to the head, and it is a rare girl whom six or
seven will not permanently spoil.

[Sidenote: Disillusion]

To the girl fed upon fiction, the first proposal comes in the nature of
a shock. Disillusion follows as a matter of course. Men, evidently, do
not read fiction, or at least do not profit by the valuable hints to be
found in any novel.

A small book entitled: _How Men Propose_, was eagerly sought by young
women who were awaiting definite experience. This was discovered to be a
collection of proposals carefully selected from fiction. It was done
with care and discernment, but was not satisfying. The natural
inference was that the actual affairs were just like those in the book.

[Sidenote: "In Books?"]

Nothing can exceed the grace and tenderness with which men propose--in
books. Such chivalrous worship, such pleasing deference is accorded--in
books! Such pretty pleading, such knightly vows of eternal allegiance,
as are always found--in books!

The hero of a few