DAMP AND DISMAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7589, 24 December 1902, Page 3

DAMP AND DISMAL.

The evil promise of yesterday has been fulfilled, and" Christchurch still rests under the misty, murky $<**& tbat seems bent on the destruction of all'the joys and pleasures associated in the mind of the Briton all the world over w|tU the great gladsome festival of Christmast.de. For moii "than twenty-four hours the dre^d easterly drizzle, that most persistent discomfort er,'"' of Christina, sixers, hasbeen driving its destructive way into untbougntof corners, and who can tell when it may cease? The pity of "# « « W $V** m * it has wojkeduhtbld havoc in eyery^direction. (Tradesmen lament {be evil Ma that keeps indoors the usual busy throng of Christiims'buyers, fqr tjeyknow that by this time they have srtfered a loss Jfcat cannoAc re^cd. People who wouhl have spent t^'and *?&?*? » «; "J" mirin#in spectiqn5 pectiqn of tl». fcifeY* jfe ment* displayed ' in almost every jnndoS tS townfhave n6t had the heart to Lfee'S npon the cpld,sad stress in <me*t of Christmas cheer. Ihe ho4?S T misety of »&*<* mud is enough to tr^t-be fortitu^ of even the bravest ptterfUlias who^ 5 thoughts **«?»« are bSTupon the fulfilment of his duties Ztho Wiry of mP^Clm?. is at SoSySe places' Avhere men most do oonSate on business bent, that the evil spefcrcii^y m- Ghristm^ seascm 24 % travelling, the particular time for the journeyings of friends to meet one another. Steamers and trains are wont to be severely fcpatf to provide accon|modation for all wlip Syotiht far© forth tfpon their happy way; but the prevailing gladness ; cannlaK 6 light' i» V™V* Christmas weather of aiiy slight discomforts connected with the overcrowding of conveyances. In such weather as $hdse' who; have already started on their ways have had the misfortune $o eip-erjence, no joy or pleasure can, be felt, and each succeeding tram of " holiday-maker^ ''Jis'alpiQsti Tyoefully damper tian the last.' And what stories they have to tell of the blank misery of their travels ! They liave, perhaps, even been obliged to sleep on the decks of the steamers tbs cater so inadequately 'for the great rush of -Ql^^mas visitors from thei north. What wbuld'"nave"~been Mr Mantalini'sj feelings had he seen the Tarawera's decks last night strewn! with their heavy load of" deinnitioh dettip moist bodies"? Probably he would jj.avcf b&si as shocked and naiserable' asi they. It is a sorry ushering in of Christmas that; t-he'Fatw have giyen, tbeir victims", but tliere 13 yet timp for tihe sorrow tp bs turned to gladness, anil bright gyn'fjiirie tiie morrow may yetj' sgcurfe the rudiment of the umWrsal wish *f or " A v Merr^' Christmas.""'