A SMALL CRY, BUT A PITEOUS ONE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 839, 11 January 1883, Page 3

A SMALL CRY, BUT A PITEOUS ONE.

To the Editor.

Sib, —If the march of civilization dis- > countenances “ vivisection,” how much more strongly, may I ask, must it not set its face against “ vivi-eaculation ?” On the strength of this conviction I throw myself upon the charity of one or other of your many readers, and ask them to take'pity’ on a poor ill-us ; d brother colonist, by giving him, through the medium of your valuable journal, an efficient remedy against “ B flats !” I am the occupant of a snug little bed-room, built entirely cf wood, the walla (painted white) and floor of which are swept and the carpet well shaken every morning. The bed-linen is changed, and the remainder of the bedding thoroughly aired in the garden once, and the room pum-ice-stoned and scoured twice a week. Furthermore, before going to roost I anoint myself all over with kerosene oil. This, for a time, keeps the enemy at bay, but as soon as the oil has absorbed they emerge from their lairs, and the orgie commences. Now, sleep is as essential to my well-being as are my daily meals, but I can truly affirm that, since the warm' weather has set in, between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. I have not enjoyed more than one hour’s continuous sleep, and not being constituted like Julius Csesar, or the great Napoleon, or our. Iron Duke* I cannot bow to their opinion that that amount is “ quant, aufl.” The consequence is'that what with rubbing myself to allay the irritation, and want of sleep, lam fast becoming like the fashion in umbrellas —“ small by degrees and beautifully less.” I have tried “ Persian Insect Powder,” fumes of sulphur, and eucalyptus leaves, but all to no purpose. If, therefore, one of your readers will kindly suggest a remedy, he will be conferring a lasting obligation on what yet remains of your Constant Reader.