A FEW WORDS ABOUT CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 784, 4 March 1871, Page 2

A FEW WORDS ABOUT CHARLESTON.

We are " in the dumps;" tbe digger's occupation for the time is gone; Charleston is completely drought stricken, and if the district be not soon subjected to a thorough course of hydropathic treatment, I cannot predict what will become of us. The continuous drought is the whole, absorbing, melancholy topic. Even the Frauco-Prussian war has ceased to give its wonted interest, for everyone, while not employed in venting expletive language against the weather authorities in general, is crying and praying for rain. Men, whose habitual instincts have hitherto led to indulgence in the redoubuible beverage of Parker and Garsidea, begin to see the error of their ways, and the stern necessity for cure by cold water. Publicans, the natural enemies of overything hydropathic, are forced to concur with the many in this most stubborn fact. These have clung with a really Micawberish tenacity to the hope that something would turn up for St. Patrick's Day, a hope I am only too sorry to see extinguished, as I had fully expected to make a small splash about the 17th. It is painful to wirrscss the smiles and bloom dwindling and fading day by day from lovely faces, for want of necessary moisture. It is also a matter for grave reflection to know

that milkmen are unable to supply usual customers with their wonted quantity of the lacteal fluid. Water ! water! is the cry; every man has water in his mouth, but no man has any in his dam. G-azing at blue unclouded skies may suit the enthusiastic poet or artist, but it does not eugender poetical feelings in the breasts of Charleston diggers or business men —it gives birth to language composed of oaths and prayers, blended in that strange way which only diggers can accomplish. The only consolation I can derive from the position, is that we are all in the same boat, high and dry she is too. Even Haines and Co., those public benefactors, who placed the district beyond the possibility of a siege by drought, and were rewarded accordingly, are in the boat too. Their inexhaustible supply, to use a Hibernicism, was exhausted weeks ago, and a great many are " sadder but wiser" in consequence. Would it not be wisdom ou the part of the Nelson Provincial Council, when it is dispensing good things, to make some little propitiatory offering to old Pluvius ? Touched at sach mark of veneration from his people, no doubt the old chap would shed tears of gratitude enough to fill the reservoir again. lam intruding too far on your space, with what is of necessity a dry subject. Let us hope my next will assume a more cheerful aspect, and that we will soon get out of the " dumps." Tittle Tattle.