Thibodaux minerva., 1853-10-29

to discharge the duties of Parish Recorder, by
depositing their verdict in the ballot box, on
the 7th of November next, and to that deciison
whether elected or rejected, will humbly bow
remain the public's most humble servant,
JONA c. WHITE.
Our Town.
1t affords us no small degree Of pleasure to
see our fourishing town begin to assume its
natural aspect. Though we have just passed
through most severe ordeal, a scourge, the like
of which was never witnessed here before, and
by which many of our friends and acquaintances
were swept to the silent tomb {" from whence no
traveller returns" yet we can scarce realize a
difference in the number who now occupy the
town, and the number who occupied it before
the remorseless epidemic made its appearance.
The village is daily filing up with those who
left at the approach of sickness. We are daily
encountering the familiar faces Of those who
have been absent, though who we had, in the
midst of panic caused by an edidemic un-
paralleled in the history of modern times, for
gotten. To give true description of the terror
which prevailed in this place during the ex-
stance of the late prevailing fever, is impossible
The English language is too feeble, too insigni-
ficant to express in appropriate terms, the gloom
and despondency which was every where to be
seen. We had no stoics then; none were in
different; all were alarmed; though few for
sock the post of duty, but like the faithful SEN
tinel each one was prompt to the calls of help
less and dying humanity. We do not wish to
be misunderstood when we say that we
cannot realize difference in numbers now and
previously existing; this is only true in a rela-
tive sense. When we call to remembrance those
individuals who are now no more, We see, and
most poignantly feel and regret their absence.
Through this medium only can we perceive
difference. But in viewing our populous town
with superficial glance, as we are most
naturally inclined to do, if we behold the mass
without reference to individuals, no difference
is perceptible.
Everything animate is, by an irrevocable de-
cree, doomed to die. Therefore, death is q
natural though closing event in the history of
all Gods creatures. The approach of death
under any and all circumstances, is met with
fear, dread unknown to all but those who feel
its withering and unyielding hand. Yet there
is a sort of tuition which teaches us to endure
its sting-to court its approach-though we do
it with fear and trembling. But even then,
naught but the most appalling circumstances
lead us tamely to death, as the dernier resort
from pain. When languishing for months
on bed of sickness when disease has
fixed its fangs never to relax ); when patience is
exhausted; when Therapia can do no more;
when hope of recovery is fled; when happiness
in the busy throng of friends can no longer be
looked for; in short, when we feel that death is
to be the unavoidable result, then, only then, do
we court the friendly hand of death-and pro-
claim o.. ms ,. =,
ts. "Oh Death, where is thy sting!
Oh Grave, where is thy victory %
But if we can meet death under the foregoing
circumstances only, with comparative degree
of calmness and fortitude, what must be the
degree of terror experienced by those who see
death and the grave staring them in the face,
the one to blight the sweets of life, and the other
to conceal in dark oblivion the frail tenement of
the soulf We ask again what can be the degree
Of terror Of persons under such circumstances
and while too, they are enjoying comparative
health and in the midst Of dear, tender and
loving friends? We ask the question, while we
know no answer is forthcoming. i
Never probably was an entire community SO
completely enveloped in the habiliments Of
mourning. ALL everybody, with few exceptions,
are wearing black, the emblem Of sadness, sor-
row and the grave. The writer attended mass
last Sunday at the Cathedral; more than one
hundred and fifty persons were in attendance,
and but twenty-nine persons were there who
were not dressed in mourning. And something
a pvopos Of the Catholics, let us add in conclu-
sion. We have previously remarked that all, or
nearly all, done their duty and stood at their
posts. This is strictly true, particularly in re-
gard to the Priests. They visited the houses Of
sorrow, Of the dying and the dead where sick
ness and death had done its all, Where car
mage ragged most there they were oftenest.
Among the poor, what poverty denied, they
supplied. To the sick and dying they dis
pensed the soothing balms Of friendly and re-
igious consolation. Nothing more noble in the
varied character Of man can exist than the he
noic benevolence and indefatigable attentions
bestowed upon the INDECENT by those Fathers Of
Mercy!
THE SuLrAN.-The present Sultan Of Turkey
is SO delicate in health and appearance as to be
scarcely able to keep erect upon his horse, upon
which he seems to sway back and forth like q
thing without life. He is more than half .
Christian it is said, though such suspicion
would cost him his crown if proved. On re-
pairing the Mosque Of st. Sophia, through the
aid Of an american artist, the Sultan was pre-
sent when come Of the old plastering fell from
the walls and disclosed various pictures Of Saints
and Christian emblems; on which he remarked
to the artist in French: !" n faut couvTlr tout