Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

For the Alexandria Daily Gazette
FROM THE OLD COUCH

AT the late fire in this town, I beheld, with grief, the tardiness of the citizens in assembling; and their confusion and unwieldiness when assembled. This, however, is not to be wondered at, where no system is adopted whereby every spectator can be employed to the best advantage. At a scene so awful, and (happily) so unusual as that which presented itself, the great majority of those assembled, are struck motionless, in the contemplation of the mighty element. It is obvious, that a disease, rapid in its progress, and all-destroying, should have a remedy of immediate efficacy. It is every man's duty, at going to bed (besides saying his prayers) always to lay his apparel in such a manner, that he can in the dark, instantly put his hands on it. If the cry of fire alarm him in the night, he should first order light into the front windows, call his male servants (as for the female ones, curiosity will bring them soon enough) dress himself with all possible expedition, not regarding whether the neck-cloth be tied in the first taste, or the waistcoat be buttoned even or uneven - snatch his buckets, bags, &c. and repair to the scene of action: there, the utmost silence should be observed, the better to hear the orders of the officers:-- these should be men of coolness--perfectly collected--prolific of happy expedients-- mechanically judicious-intrepid--enemies to all needless sacrifice of property. The first orders are generally to form a line to the nearest water :--here the want of system is peculiarly apparent. Instead of crowding as close to each other as men can stand there should be a space between each one of four feet ; at this distance they can hand water, not only more expeditiously, but more easily, and with less waste. Every person who stands in a less space than this is doing an injury ; for the one who passes the bucket to him, could, with its natural swing, pass it with greater ease, to the person beyond him, than to him: he, therefore, instead of accelerating, retards its progress; and he should go immediately where he can do most in the cause of suffering humanity. The fire companies here might, doubtless, make several little improvements in systematizing : they, however, have done more than in many places, as to individual pecuniary exertion, and for less consideration. Exemption from military duty, to similar societies, is usual, elsewhere, and it is the least compliment that could be paid to their liberality here. Not that any of them think it a grievance to take an hour's walk, each month, in their country's service, with the arms that nature gave them :--the exemption should be made, not as a favor, but as an etiquette due to the men.