THE DIARY OF AN OLD MAID.

The following truthful and touching history of an old maid, dating from about 1843, is one of the briefest, yet at the same time most complete, records of human experience in print. Those who can read between the lines will have full sympathy for the author of it, who seems to have found that though marriage may prove a failure, abstention from matrimony does not bring happiness:

At fifteen years, anxious for coming out.

Sixteen, began to have some idea of the tender passion.

Seventeen, talked of love in a cottage, and disinterested affection.

Eighteen, fancied myself in love with some handsome man who flattered me.

Nineteen, was a little more difficult, in consequence of being noticed.

Twenty, commenced to be fashionable and dashing.

Twenty-one, still more confidence in my own attractions, and expected a brilliant establishment.

Twenty-two, refused a good offer because he was not a man of fashion.

Twenty-three, flirted with every young man I met.

Twenty-four, wondered why not married.

Twenty-five, rather more circumspect in conduct.

Twenty-six, began to think a large fortune not quite so indispensable.

Twenty-seven, preferred the company of rational men.

Twenty-eight, wished to be married in a quiet way, with a comfortable home and children.

Twenty-nine, almost despaired of entering the marriage state.

Thirty, was rather fearful of being called an old maid.

Thirty-one, an additional love of self-adornment.

Thirty-two, professed to dislike balls, finding it quite difficult to secure good partners.

Thirty-three, wondered how men could leave the society of sensible women to flirt with chits.

Thirty-four, affected good humor in conversation with men.

Thirty-five, jealous of the praises of women.

Thirty-six, quarreled with friend who had been lately married.

Thirty-seven, thought myself slighted in company.

Thirty-eight, liked talking of my acquaintances who are married unfortunately, and found endless consolation in their misfortunes.

Thirty-nine, ill-nature increased.

Forty, became a confirmed scold.

And so on up to fifty, when the lady seized upon lap-dogs, and talked largely of philanthropy. After that age, gray hairs start out upon the temple, and "old lady" becomes the tune—no longer old maid.