, 1866-07-06

CdIIldSO-HOuoO VI lnO paISOudSo'
''Fire in the parS0n's yard! - was the cleo
trio cry that was conducted with telegraphic
speed throughout the town-a cry that would
have caused the lame to turn out without any
other incentive to action. But it is q happi-
j.. ness to know, that, added to the universal love,
esteem, and respect with which the Reverend
Dubois is regarded, is that general good uW
which brings about that active cooperation
so characteristic of the people of this town on
such occasions.
This fire was most fearful in its origin. Stu
ated on a rising ground, the flames were terri
fc as we'll to those at a distance below as to
those in its immediate neighbOurh0od. But
the momentary CONSERVATION it occasioned soon
gave way to the most active and energetic ex-
ertions on the part Of all classes Of the commu-
nifty. They grappled with the fire with per-
seyering courage and confidence. No shrink
ing back no murmurings. All was, push on
push on from all sides.
This for all the people Now for u class.
The women! That class Of them who seem to
sleep with tubs, buckets, tins, and various de-
scription of handy vessels for carrying water,
under their heads, sailed forth like ants from
an anthill, and water was supplied by them in
abundance.
This time our engines were truly effective
This time they seemed indispensable ! Parti-
cular notice was taken Of one Of them that was
Oy Rev, Dubois d@irection) kept-by u skiltul
and active young manipulating on the build
ings contiguous to the fire from the yard-steps
of the parsonage 50 effectually that it kept
them from taking fire, while the others were
round and about the streets and yards actively
employed in weting the buildings likely to
ignite. That this readiness and activity of the
people Of this community can be classed with
that Of the people of any community perhaps
in the world, [ venture to say. Under Divine
Providence, the e~Xerti0ns of our peOple-of the
lower classes esq ecially-at a fire, are like
those used by a bold and courageous little army
against a powerful enemy making inroads on
their territory. They do what they do, in right
earnest. They make common cause of it, and
men, women, and even children do each a part.
With no thought of pay, the poorest Of the
busy crowd labours ON until the fire is extin-
guished. How good to live among such u
people.
Like previous fires, the progress of this was
arrested in a comparatively short time. The
greatest loss sustained is by Mr.. Ferris. All
his tools (and those a large number and Of
great Variety were burnt up, along with an
excellent foot-lathe belonging to his son. The
exquisite workmanship to be seen in churches
and dwellings in several parts of the island,
were executed with \theSe tools by this great
genius, whose ideas and skill as a mechanic
are so we'll known. 1t is rumoured that a sub
scription is about to be got up shortly to aid
the old gentleman in repairing his loss.
A word more about this fire Yes, a word
more, and that word, though the last for the
present, yet not the least that has been or may
be said. "This is not Bassin!' burst out
every now and again from the lips of the la
boureIs at the fire. owe won't allow our town
to burn down if we can preventit!' &c. These
expressions, to the thinking person, must have
drawn forth some very melancholy reflections
arising out of the deep sympathy with our fell
oW-islanders-IH loss Of that magnificent
church edyfce, that SO beautified the entrance to
the town mingled with other feelings of a pecu.
liar nature, must, l say, have drawn forth
melancholy reflections. Melancholy, when in
a community-a comparatively small commu-
nifty there was such an apparent manifestation
of careless Indifference on the part of the very
class of people who may have made themselves
most useful, and so secure the same applause
which the same class here always strive to
merit on such occasions.
May all your townsmen, dear Sir, in future
see how %effectual ready active cooperation is.
Most Respectfully,
An Old Correspondent.
Vast End .Tu1U 9Th 1855