text:  Why the three Miss Stimpsons remain unmarried we cannot say nor would it be decorous to enquire; but hearing them drop a hint now and then about visits "a considerable time ago " to Brighthelmstone and Bath we are led however reluctantly in the case of ladies _now_ evangelical to conclude their attention has formerly been directed to gentility-mongering at these places of fashionable resort; the tanyard acting as a repellent to husbands of a social position superior to their own and their great fortunes operating in deterring worthy persons of their own station from addressing them; or being the means of inducing them to be too prompt with refusals these amiable middle-aged young ladies are now "on hands " paying the penalty of one of the many curses that pride of wealth brings in its train