The Westport Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1873.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1136, 26 December 1873, Page 2

The Westport Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1873.

To-day the Westpout Times enter; on the eighth year of its existence. Its career for the past seven years has been chequered with varying degrees of light and shadow. Sharing in the fortunes of its birthplace, buoyed up at times with hope expectant, at others depressed by hope long deferred, it has served as a true index of the prosperity of the place with which it has been so long identified, a brief chronicle of the times wherein it has, figuratively, lived and moved and had its being. Now, on the near approach of another year, it has yet the same old tale to tell, of a people battling against misfortune, but who never say fail ! And yet of hopefnl anticipations, some doomed to ruthless dispelling, while others will expand into full fruition. Of a town springing up afresh and vigorous from its own wreck, and of townsmen, who, hailing a brighter future, give scarce a thought to the past, its troubles or its disappointments. The bright star of Westport, long obscured by the lowering clouds of adversity, seems just now in the ascendant Public works, upon which the absolute safety and prosperity of the town depends, are at iast to be commenced. Good news from the reefing districts cheers the hearts of many who erstwhile were despondent o'er their ventures. Trade, though still depressed, rests on sure foundations. Socially the affairs of the community progress towards perfection, and Westport, though coming not scatheless from the fight, can yet boast of strong and vigorous vitality. At such a time as the present we may, therefore, with good grace, offer modest congratulations to our numerous friends at the improved aspect of local affairs, compared with those prevailing at Christmas, '72. Having served a seven years' service to the public, the Westport Times may with good claim to the character of a faithful and trusted servant, tender, in all sincerity, the congratulations of the season, coupled with the wish that ere another year has sped Westport will have gained the distinction, so long her due, of becoming a busy and thriving mart of industry. Wanting which all conventional " compliments of the season" will be but as " empty nothings."