"The farmer eat heartily of these, and the effect was, that after dinner, tho' he is a very fat man, a slight touch from another person made him shrink at least five stone; but, towards the evening, he recovered gradually his usual bulk and weight; and, when he had evacuated the sallad and mimosa, he retained his corpulency as if nothing extraordinary had happened.
"This we insert as a caution to persons not to mix this plant with other pot herbs."—(Morning Post, Aug. 31, 1789.)
Gillray, Oct. 4, 1791, gives us the accompanying extremely graphic illustrations—shewing the difference of behaviour at the Opera and at Church—the vivacity of the one, and the somnolence of the other.
"A Card
"Addressed to those among the female sex, whose desires are neither Romantic nor Extravagant, who stand in need and wish for such an opportunity as is now offered.
"A SINGLE GENTLEMAN who is blest with an Independence, adequate to every real comfort in life, and having none to provide for, prefers permanent friendship and protection to a Lady possessing the following requisites: age not exceeding 35, person well shaped, teeth sound and regular, good voice, a stranger to the hackneyed tricks of the town: good temper, constancy, a social disposition, engaging manners, a turn to economy, and a knowledge by experience of domestic concerns, a taste for simplicity and elegance in dress, spruce in her person, and attentive to neatness in others; free from incumbrance, affectation and unpleasant habits: a pleasing countenance, if the face should neither be beautiful nor pretty—musical talents, vocal and instrumental—and she who may be the greatest proficient on the pianoforte or harpsichord, or what is still more irresistible, the harp, if in other respects equal, will claim the preference. The Lady, of course, must be totally at her own disposal: if a native of Britain, a Knowledge of French so as to speak it fluently; if a foreigner, capable of speaking and writing the English language with ease and propriety: and both native, and foreign, habituated to the English Customs in every point of cleanliness and delicacy.
"Should she be conversant with Italian, with a genius for painting, poetry, astronomy, botany, &c., she would be the more acceptable. Not only the utmost regard to decorum will be observed upon this occasion, but that respect which the delicacy of the sex demands, shall be manifested as early as possible. He hopes, therefore, since his motives are so obvious, that those whose sentiments are congenial with his own, who mean to notice this address will do it speedily, as the Author will soon be going to the Continent on an extensive tour.
"For this and other cogent reasons, which hereafter may be specified, Principals only will be treated with. Such communications, and positively no other, as are written in the Party's own hand, at once explicit respecting situation, intention and expectation, &c., shall according to their merits be duly acknowledged, and the necessary steps in consequence will be pointed out to bring the matter with safety to an immediate issue.
"Should an object whose person, talents, and accomplishments, &c., are superior to the generality of females, be discovered with proofs of serious intention, a marriage may be the result. The want of pelf, if of a respectable connection, should with the Author, be no impediment thereto, being, with prudence, amply provided for. The Advertiser forbears saying any more of himself, than that his person, age, qualities, &c., would probably suit such a Lady as he has described: and as a well cultivated mind, united with the requisites above stated, would be preferred to the consideration of either family, or fortune, he hopes some credit will be allowed him for his good intentions.
"Letters free of postage will be received if addressed to G. A. S., at the Recorder Printing Office, No. 12 Duke St. Drury Lane."—(Times, Feby. 7, 1793.)