Page:Monthly scrap book, for January.pdf/22

 Old and New Style.—Since the commencement of the present century, the difference between the old and new style is twelve days: another day in addition to the prior eleven having been thrown out in the year 1800, by assigning to February only twenty-eight days. This loss of a day to the whole civilized world was scarcely remarkable at the time.

Buying a Husband.—Alicia Keating, a hale, stout, hearty-looking wench, and a candidate for matrimony, was charged by her brother at the Dublin Post Office for robbing her father of £140, for the purpose of buying a husband. Her brother, who preferred the charge, stated that his sister went off with her own cousin, a young gossoon, about sixteen years ould, and who would not be married for twenty years to come. This cousin of his was a great drinker and reprobate, and an estate would not last him—shure he got an hundred and eight ould ginnees, and forty-two pounds in notes, from his sister, and if he could be found he would prosecute him—at all events she should be prosecuted. Magistrate—Do you wish to swear against her? If you do I must send her to Newgate. Musha, your Honour, replied the brother, you may send her wherever your Honour chooses. Prisoner—Arrah sure I only tuck a trifle to pay our passage to America. He was a cousin of my own, and a well-larned boy, and a baker besides, and, I give a' the money to him, and I don't know where he is. Magis-