University of Virginia Library

LETTER XXX.
In which Mr. Downing dreams some poetry.

From the Portland Courier, April, 1831.

[Legislative proceedings extra.—On the evening before the adjournment
of the Legislature, while the members of the House
were waiting for some bill to be engrossed, Mr. Shapleigh of Berwick
presented an order, that a Committee be appointed to consider
the expediency of assessing an annual tax upon a certain class of
gentlemen commonly called Old Bachelors, to be appropriated for
the use and support of a certain class of ladies usually known by
the name of Old Maids, with leave to report by Bill or otherwise.
Mr McCrate of Nobleborough hoped the mover would offer his reasons
for the passage of the order. Mr. Delesdernier said he understood
the order reflected upon his friend from Nobleborough; he
therefore moved it be laid on the table, which motion was decided
in the negative.

Mr Baxter then remarked that he hoped gentlemen would reflect
before they went too far, and not commit an impropriety by way of
amusement. He moved that the order be indefinitely postponed,
which motion prevailed. While we were puzzling ourselves to
know what report we should make of these Legislative proceedings
our friend Jack Downing very opportunely, as he often does, came
in to our aid as follows.]