A Suggestion to Cities

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The pgople of this country profess to be profound admirers of water, and we boast with honest pride of our Croton and Fair-mount ; yet no sooner are water works introduced into a city than thc pump and accompanying cup are removed, and the weary foot passenger is actually driven into a bar-room or soda water saloon to quench his thirst. We would suggest that for every cup and pump removed from the public streets, a little stream of the pipe water be substituted, either in the form of a fountain on the curb-stone, or as an ornament to an alcove in the wall of some house or public building. These might be made very ornamental, and a ladle or cup attached would do more to promote the temperance of our population than the employment qf a dozen lectnrers on the subject. The expense would be very trifling, and the boon would bo thoroughly appreciated by every one. The cities of Europe are nearly all provided with little fountains, at which the people can drink ; and as we have copied them in the beautiful and healthy custom of planting our streets with trees, let us also copy them in supplying limpid streams of cooling water.

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