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Letter to Editor
February 26, 1767
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
In a humorous letter, 19-year-old Diana Languish advertises herself as marriage material to the printer, specifying suitor requirements like height and temperament, while boasting her own virtues and an anticipated 5,000l. fortune from a dreamed lottery win.
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Full Text
To the PRINTER.
SIR,
I am just now nineteen, and, without vanity, believe as well qualified for a husband as any of my neighbours. I will not say that I am handsome, though I am persuaded I am not the only one who thinks so. I have been dangled after for these three years by half the young fellows in town, and yet not one of them has had the spirit to put the question to me, though I have often reminded them of these two lines:
Our hearts are form'd as you yourselves would choose,
Too proud to ask, too humble to refuse.
The men are grown so stupid nowadays that I believe they expect the women should court them, but as I am too modest to do it in person, I think the channel of your paper may be useful to me, if you will give this a place in it; and I therefore notify that I am ready to receive proposals (honourable proposals) from any Gentleman of good family, and if some fortune so much the better; but this latter condition I do not insist upon, for reasons hereafter mentioned. He must, however, be at least 5 feet 8 inches high, neither very dark nor very fair, have expressive eyes, good nature, and common sense.
As to my qualifications, I have at least the two last required in him, and am, I mean shall be, possessed of a fortune of 5000l. in less than a month, having half a lottery ticket, which I dreamed (and of a Sunday morning too) was drawn a prize of 10,000l. I think this hint is sufficient to any man of spirit and therefore conclude his and your very humble servant
DIANA LANGUISH.
P.S. Pray, Mr. Printer, take in the letter that come for me.
SIR,
I am just now nineteen, and, without vanity, believe as well qualified for a husband as any of my neighbours. I will not say that I am handsome, though I am persuaded I am not the only one who thinks so. I have been dangled after for these three years by half the young fellows in town, and yet not one of them has had the spirit to put the question to me, though I have often reminded them of these two lines:
Our hearts are form'd as you yourselves would choose,
Too proud to ask, too humble to refuse.
The men are grown so stupid nowadays that I believe they expect the women should court them, but as I am too modest to do it in person, I think the channel of your paper may be useful to me, if you will give this a place in it; and I therefore notify that I am ready to receive proposals (honourable proposals) from any Gentleman of good family, and if some fortune so much the better; but this latter condition I do not insist upon, for reasons hereafter mentioned. He must, however, be at least 5 feet 8 inches high, neither very dark nor very fair, have expressive eyes, good nature, and common sense.
As to my qualifications, I have at least the two last required in him, and am, I mean shall be, possessed of a fortune of 5000l. in less than a month, having half a lottery ticket, which I dreamed (and of a Sunday morning too) was drawn a prize of 10,000l. I think this hint is sufficient to any man of spirit and therefore conclude his and your very humble servant
DIANA LANGUISH.
P.S. Pray, Mr. Printer, take in the letter that come for me.
What sub-type of article is it?
Comedic
Social Critique
What themes does it cover?
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Marriage Proposals
Lottery Dream
Gentleman Requirements
Women's Qualifications
Honorable Suitors
What entities or persons were involved?
Diana Languish
The Printer
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Diana Languish
Recipient
The Printer
Main Argument
the writer, a 19-year-old woman, notifies that she is ready to receive honorable marriage proposals from gentlemen of good family meeting specific physical and personal criteria, highlighting her own qualifications including a forthcoming fortune from a lottery prize she dreamed of winning.
Notable Details
Quotes Two Lines Of Poetry: 'Our Hearts Are Form'd As You Yourselves Would Choose, Too Proud To Ask, Too Humble To Refuse.'
Mentions Dreaming Of Winning 10,000l. Lottery Prize On A Sunday Morning, Entitling Her To 5,000l.
P.S. Requests The Printer To Take In A Letter That Came For Her.