The New York herald., 1871-12-28

The Dnrkened Uptown Disiric;s-lnc0uven-
iencc and Gr umbling.
Darkness still continues despite the promises Of
the Metropolitan Gas Company that light would be
furnished to the uptown districts alter MONDAY
night. The greatest inconvenience has been caused
by the failure OF the company TO make good
their promises, and among the business portion
OF the Inhabitants great Indignation Is expressed.
the loss incurred has been very serious The Christ
mas festivities which had been postponed until last
evening have In most cases been abandoned entirely,
as there Is no certainty OF supply of gas being fr-
nished for some days to come. II the street lamps
could have been kept lighted the gloom would not
have been SO great but since Monday night the
only purpose tney have served was to
BUMP THE HEADS
OF the unlucky wignts who were unacquainted
with their whereabouts. Since the light gave out
several outrages have been committed under
cover OF the darkness ana though 1t mas been
stated that an extra police torce had been detailed
for duty In the darkened district there seemed TO
be remarkable scarcity OF the guardians or the
peace last evening. Gangs OF rufians have
been patrollng the streets, visiting houses In
lonely localities and inquiring for imaginary per-
sons, doubtless with view W pundcr, out the vigil
lance exercised by the citizens has hitherto aeersed
them from accomplishing much III this way, and per-
sons who were making evening VISITS were at q
complete loss to distinguish Tho numbers on the res
licences, anu nHu 10 make nOuSe.tO-
house visitation before tney could find the
PAGES they were In search OF. The
supply OF Kerosene lamps and oil has been bought
up at an advanced price, and the demand Tor tallow
Is something extraordinary. In the stores old
black uott'es have been hunted up out OF
the cobweDs and turned INTO candlesucks-
proving truth OF the old adagc, necessity Is the
Eiother OF invention" The drug stores suffered
more than those OF any other business, as 1t
Is necessary tnat those places should be
kept open during the night On the street
cars the conductors had buster time
tnan they usually do, as the names OF the streets
were undlstngulshable In tie gloom, SO that those
who would be iamiIiar with tue locality under 0tner
circumsr ances were completely at loss last even
ing. Tne Grand Central Depot has been m0ss
aecied by the absence OF light and increased eau.
ton has 10 be exercised TO prevent the occurrence
OF accidents. Travellers entering the city by night
are at loss TO account iOr THIS strange gloom,
and fancy they have entered some village
in the Dackwoods OF the West instead OF the
Empire City. The streets, which III many places are
sadly out OF repair, are extremely dangerous for
pedestrians who are forced To go out business at
iIght, and hurts and bruises are the order OF the
day. A force or 800 men are engaged IN the work
OF repairing the damages In the gas works. but the
latter proved greater than was stated at nrst.
and the loss has been mucn more serious ESTIMATED
at S75O0O. The company state that they Will ne In
working order at the close OF the week; but little
reliance can De placed In this assertion in the lace
,f nrev long disaODOnt tInenCS,