Market fluctuation

Shameful price to pay – The Suffolk Chronicle; or Weekly General Advertiser & County Express, 28 February 1835, page 2:

SALE OF A WIFE. – On Monday se’nnight*, one those disgraceful proceedings, the sale of a wife, took place in Clare market. Strange to say, the plan was adopted to transfer the lady from her husband to her first love, who left her to enlist for a soldier nineteen years ago, but rekindled old recollections by his recent return. The lady being brought to the halter, the son of Mars offered a crown, which the husband pocketed, and walked quietly home solus to Stanstead.

*A week ago.