Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-07-26
LOCAL NEWS.
FRIDAY EVENING, JULY a26.

WATER. Alexandria is probably supplied
with better quality of water than most OF the
neighboripg cities The people of Washing
ron are constantly complaining of the bad
onality, fshy taste, &C., of their supplies of
,be aqueous fluid. The water OF the James,
with which Richmond is supplied, is muddy
as the rule, and clear only under very favorable
circumstances, frequently more closely rcsem-
hing in appearance new cider than water.
Water that is simply muddy is however,
not considered unhealthy. The inhabitants OF
the States bordering on or through which the
Missouri river flows, which river. is habitually
muddy, never complain of any bad effects from
drinking it and the waters of the Mississippi
from St. Louis down, are thick with mud, yet
those who live on its banks, and who use it
babitually, do not complain Of its unhealthi-
ness. These facts are mentioned, that our
citizens, while possessing q knowledge that
simply muddy water is not unhealthy, may
likewise know to what an extent they are
favored by circumstances in their supplies of
aqua p'nu.
In the days Of "water-cars' and Diagonal
Pump" recoections, water was costly and
scarce article. 1t is related of an old resident,
of en economical turn of mind, now long since
dead, that he allowed in his family but one
basin of water for the morning additions of its
members. Whoever rose first washed in clear
water, the late sleepers using it second, third
or fourth hand, as the case might be an incen-
tive to early rising which will be duly appre-
ciated by our readers.
Those were the days of leather buckets
one of which every citizen was required to
keep in his house ready for use in case Of fire.
Then the lines we're manned and 'pass buck
els" was the duty Of each and all. We, who
mklain Of these our times, would do well to
look back thirty years, and contrast the by
drants and plugs, steam fire engine, &c, Of our
day with the awkward and inconvenient appa-
ratus of the days of our youth. Such retro
spective reviews would tend to mitigate the
present days Of sweltering under the dog star )
rule, with the thermometer among the nine
ties For ice was as scarce as water, and was
kert for times Of sickness as Il rare delicacy.
Then, water was hauled through the streets in
huge barrel mounted OF wheels, and sold at
two cents per bucket full Then ice was only
obtainable at costly figures, with but limited
supply. Now every house has it's hydrant
With an abundant supply Of pure soft water
gushing out at command, and ice carts traverse
the length and breadth of the town, carrying
GOODNESS and pleasure to all.
A few old citizens for a long time held out
in stout prejudice against the reservoir water
as being unhealthy One or two had vehe-
mently vowed never to drink other water than
that of the pump, and never to allow the en-
croaching and Iernicious hydrauts place on
their premises But these gave in one By one,
the daily use Of the new tangled water by their
neighbors reluctantly convincing them of its
innoxious qualities, and death himself in some
cases taking off objection and objector together.
Every one now uses hydrant water, and the
incident published few days ago in this paper,
proves how infinite blessing it is.