The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-02-16
THE RAIN STORM.

The Weather and tho Dirty Ssreets-New
York In swamp-Detentaon OF the Mails
Aspect OF the CITY.
Broadway yesterday presented most dismal appear.
The late heavy rain had swept the acc zmulatons
Of ice and from the sidewalk into the street, and
spots in the that had been cut by the wheels
and runners Laid bare, lled with solution Of
water and ice The horses suffered severely
their slow length along the miry and obstructed
pavement, slipping and foundering at every step.
Sleghs have totally disappeared and the streets that
wont to be resonant with the ring Of merry sleigh
bells st there mot being heard in the
city II would be hard to determine which was the
UNPLEASANT operation yesterday-rding or walking The
attefwas certainly butte uncomfortable; for, though
the sidewalks cleared Of their accumuatons Of ice
and snow the crossings in deplorable condition,
and were "death" anything like clean boots
soied apparel But ride yesterday in any kind Of
vehicle was formidable undertaking, and not to be at
tempted without stout heart and strong nerves. The
streets being cut up into ridges Of hard ice with
lakes miry muddy sush and water between the horses
kept Aounierng their way, while the omnbuses jolt
ed plunged heaved rolled and did everything that
uncomfortable to their inmates Nervous old ladies
were thrown hsadlong into the of yourg gentlemen
on the opposite seats who did not look at all delighted
with their involuntary armsfu while sundry old foges
went through series OF gymnastic performances, In
the way of balancing their centre Of gravity not at
all amusing to themselves whatever 1t might be to
others.
Much was done during the day to keep the cutters
clear and unobstructcd. small army Of laborers
employed who, with pickaxe and shovel working
away until late hour in the afternoon, clearing away
the distractions Those who have been in Cali
ornia and therefore unacquanted with the appear
ance of the digsinss in thu rainy season. had an ex-
celent opportunity Of seeing miniature
of of them yesterday in the scene Broadway pre-
sented.
By order Of the Commissioners Of Streets and Lamps
large quantities Of snow and ice were thrown back on
the tracks of many Of the railroads running through
the city, from which they had just been removed This
was done on account of the railroad companies
not having taken away the and ice they should
have done Mayor Woods sndation that all the
city railroads should be compelled to keep the streets
through which they cleared Of all distractions,
should certainly be adopted The habit they now have
of packing the ce and dirt along the edge Of the
track and in the CUTTERS cannot be too severely repro
bated for wherever this is done 1t causes little trou-
BILE both to pedestrians and to carriages and seriously
ncommodes all kinds Of travel Perhaps the very worst
crossing in the city is at the confluence OF Chambers
street Hudson street and West Broadway, where any
number Of tracks concentrate This place is of
on the companies that leave 1t in such outrageous
condition The storm of Wednesday caused little
difficulty to the trains leaving and coming into the city.
The warm rain beating impetuousy on the ice and
snow along the roads flooded the tracks, and in
many places The wheels Of the twothirds Of
their depth in water. On the Hudson River Railroad
track just below Manhattanvile, the water report
ed to be four feet Deep
Tie O'Clock express train from Albany, which was
until g. accident having occurred to the engine. This
was Sing Sing. The Harlem trains also de-
tanned, and arrived behind time On the New Haven
road accident happened, few miles below New Ha-
ven at place named whitehaven which threatened at
time to result most seriously. The rain storm which
raging violently beat ths sand from beneath
the track, and left it without any support Fortunately
the train running slowly and the dangerous condi
on Of the road asceraned before arriving the spot
The engine Immediately ba ksd and taken
to repair thestrack The train detained three hours
and did not arrive at the depot before IL O'Clock yeser
day. There stoppage the Erie railroad
though the track flooded in many places.
The extraordinary weather we have had tey has set
the philosophers specializing to its cause. Among
the hypothesis advanced to the effect thst Il
due TO the presence Of two spots Of immense size the
suns surface These spots surrounded by penum
bra Of great dstnctness and regularity of figure being
very nearly circular To those who believe there Is
connection between the state OF the suns disc and the
temperature Of planet the speculation is an inter
estiDg one, and merits investigation Where's Merriam
Yesterday was a dismal, dreary day throughout. 1t
was damp, wet and sloppy. Towards evening fine rain
set it, which continued up to late hour in the night
The air was filed with sharp watcry particles which
penetrated every article Of clothing and almost cut the
face touching with acid The streets covered
with thin paste Of mud. good heavy rain is now all
we want to wash the streets properly aud mako them
what they should be in point Of cleanliness