This dating ad from 1865 proves finding love is rough no matter when you were born

And we thought 21st-century dating was hard. A 19th-century newspaper dating ad shows us that finding love has always been tough.
A researcher at the University of Oxford, Max Roser, recently posted an old newspaper clipping from 1865 which was, essentially, the 19th-century version of a Tinder profile.
The ad is titled “chance for a spinster” (strong opening, dude) and was placed in the paper by an 18-year-old man from Maine.
"I am eighteen years old, have a good set of teeth, and believe in Andy Johnson, the star-spangled banner, and the 4th of July," he begins. "I have taken up a State lot, cleared up eighteen acres last year, and seeded ten of it down. My buckwheat looks first-rate, and the oats and potatoes are bully."
Looking for a wife in 1865 pic.twitter.com/5YWWag7isA
— Max Roser (@MaxCRoser) June 19, 2017
The guy’s legal, patriotic AF, with buckwheat on fleek and good dental hygiene? OK, we’re listening.
"I want to buy bread-and-butter, hoop-skirts, and waterfalls for some person of the female persuasion during life. That's what's the matter with me. But I don't know how to do it."
It appears our young hero was having trouble attracting a wife, despite his well-seeded land and ability to purchase waterfalls, whatever that means.
Twitter users were empathetic to his struggle.
Mostly because in 1865 average life expectancy was 40. This 18 year old is having a midlife crisis.
— Taylor Huckaby (@iwriterealgood) June 20, 2017
fucking sign me up
— Cathy Reisenwitz (51/100 sketches) (@CathyReisenwitz) June 20, 2017
false
The ad even inspired one ~available~ man to update his Tinder profile.
Had to cut it down some because it was too long, but we'll see what happens. pic.twitter.com/foiQS7lXfG
— Drew (@DrowsyDrew87) June 19, 2017
Yep, dating’s rough no matter what century you’re in. We hope the lad found the person of the female persuasion of his dreams.