It was a Democratic paper, such as was never patronized by
Evelyn--herself a zealous conservative in politics, as our father had
been before us--and, as I cared little for newspaper-reading, I had
never suggested a subscription to any sheet that she did not fancy,
although I inclined to democracy.
I was somewhat amused by the quaintness of some of the advertisements of
this sheet for the people, that style of literature being new to me; and
found myself smiling over the perfections set forth as necessary, by the
paragons of the earth, in both wife and servant, when I came to a dead
stand. Here was the very thing I should have selected, could I have
chosen my own destination instead of depending on _chance_ (as if,
indeed, there were such a thing _possible_ with God--the predestinator
of the universe), or necessity (is the name a much better one as applied
to the all-seeing Deity?), or fate (a more comprehensive but little
less-abused term, perhaps), to do this for me!
The advertisement ran thus, and quite fascinated me with its
eccentricity, as well as congeniality to my condition:
"A gentleman and lady, now sojourning for a short time at the Mansion
House, wish to employ, immediately, for the benefit of their children,
an instructress, who must be, _imprimis_, a lady--and young; secondly,
soundly constituted and well educated; thirdly, a good reader, and able
to teach elocution, and entertain a circle; fourthly, willing to reside
with cheerfulness on a Southern plantation; fifthly, content with a
moderate _modicum_ as salary.
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