Perhaps the Most Unhappy City.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5603, 14 August 1889, Page 3

Perhaps the Most Unhappy City.

The following letter to tho New York Mail and Express from a considerable South American city, pictures a state of misery which may bo more irremediable than the dissolution that has just come upon the two cities of Johnstown and Seattle:

Sao ran 10, May 13.—Campinas was one of tho most fi jurishing cities of tho interior of tho province of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and is still one of the most important centres of the coffee region. It is situated to tho northeast of Sao Paulo, about sixty-six

miles distant, and is in immediate connection with the principal cities of tho province through a net of railway lines, which is daily increasing in extension and importance. It is situated in a basin, from which it derives its name—Campinas. It was never known to be very healthy, on account

of its situation, but rarely ever was it visited by an epidemic. The official report says in regard to its sanitary conditions :

" The climate of the municipality is on the whole pleasant and agreeable, but in tho city it is loss healthy." Its supply of water has boun small, aud its sewerage is in a very deplorable condition. Tho people get their water from wells, and it seems now

that these aro poisoned by an accumulation of filth and want of water and sewers to drivo it away. Hence the city is iv a most deplorable and dangerous condition. Nearly every house has been visited by tho yellow fever or other fevers. Thoso who could left tbo city, and thus carried tho plague to other cities. Those who could not go, for want of means, are prostrated ; either die, or, if proper treatment c*n be obtained, recover. The stores aro closed; their proprietors locked tho blinds and doors and went away. Bakers do not bake any more, butchers do not slaughter, drug-stores are closed, doctors arc running away, the poor die from want and lack of care, and even tho well-to-do cannot obtain help. There iH no relief for tho present except through cknn. drinkable water. There is an angel of deatli in overy house, in every well, everywhere. The city is given up to him for the present. Thero aro not 4,000 people left in the city of tho 31,000. Tho streets aro ompty.