"'Tis that which all, both great and small, Are striving to obtain; And yet, though common and quite cheap, Is daily sought in vain." OLD RIDDLE. There are few subjects on which people are more agreed than the value of "good matches;" neither do they seem to differ very widely as to what that phrase is intended to convey. Not that everybody's _beau-idéal_ implies identity of composition, but they are pretty well agreed as to the more essential elements. But if we observe the different ways by which people seek to obtain a common object, we are puzzled to know how folks that set out in such various directions should ever arrive at the same point. The travellers are said, too, to provide themselves not unfrequently with various disguises; not only in dress and externals, but even in manners and sentiments, which they do not usually entertain. Thus we have heard of one who professed a great love of music, who scarcely had an idea of melody; of another who expressed an admiration of poets whom he had never read, or voted unmitigated bores. Others have been known to avow a perfect indifference to wealth, who have had scarcely an idea unmixed with an instinctive admiration of the _æs in presenti_. We once heard a curious fellow say that he could marry any lady he liked, if he could only "bring himself to take the trouble;" and we thought how happy he would be if he could live on as good terms with his wife as he appeared to be on with himself. Some start with an apothegm which they carry about like an amulet or charm; such as, "No greater rogue than he who marries only for money, and no greater fool than he who marries only for love." Apothegms, however, like many things in this world—Macintoshes and umbrellas inclusive—are very apt to be left at home when most wanted. We are not informed whether table-turning or mesmerism have yet discovered any prophylactics against the undoubted perils of an expedition in search of a partner. We are unfortunately not sufficiently versed in these mysteries to know the "latest accounts;" but from the reputed effects of platinum and other metals, we should not be surprised to hear that a person well mesmerised would be found very clairvoyant of gold. We are not aware of the achievements necessary to arrive at the exalted position of "a Professor;" but it is said that "Professors" find gold without the necessity of going to the "diggings." Table-turning, we hear, has not as yet been found successful. By shooting too much ahead of the slowly moving current of human affairs, it skipped over one generation, and thus recently entrapped an Irish gentleman of the "highest respectability" by giving a fortune to a lady too soon; it happening to be found still in possession of its "right owner"—or, as the technical phrase is, "in expectation."