The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-22
THE COLD SNAP.
Effect Of the Cold Yesterday-The Date Of the
Last Day When the Thermometer Was
Below Zero-How the Pedestrians,
the Car and Stage Drivers Bore
It-Aspect Of Broadway

Never since Monday, the sth day OF January, 1865,
when the thermometer stood fifteen degrees below
zero In this city, has there been so cold day as
yesterday. At SIX O'Clock In the morning the tner-
mometer stood at one degree below zero, and at
SIX In the evening at seven degrees above. From
early morn TO the gray tinted eve the cold piercing
wlntry blast remorselessy forced It's way alony the
avenues, the streets, the squares and around the
angles OF the buildings regardless OF the feelings or
the tnrong OF humanity that shivered Its way
along the slippery sidewalk or huddled itself
together in the crowded cars. All things, animate
and inanimatc bore the marks OF the frosty visitor
and gave evidence OF how busily employed "Jack
Frost" had been during the night The store win.
d0ws were traced with that wondrOus Icy imitation
OF the foliage OF nature that puzzles the children SO
much to account Tor. and MD entirely nom public
view the tasteful array OF christmas goods"
and seasonabe array OF gifts or 'santa
Claus" The frost, winch was fun and lrolic
motive, was misery, at least to those who were
compelled 10 remain out all day. battling with the
m aow al
example, Tor forming correct Judgment OF the
severity OF the temperature, Is Broadway stage
up IN as many bandages as an Egyptian
mummy. From bundle OF various colored clothing
al that was visible was the extreme poiat of nose:
the color Of which changed from white, blue and
pink according 10 the number of times he pulled up
his vehicle to take up his passengers. How ne
managed TO take tine stamps between mis- fingers
ana give The needful change to his shiverng
patrons Is o mystery 70 the ordinary mind. He,
however, succeeded pretty well yesterday, and the
day passed away without 1t being reported
that stage driver had been found frozen
to death on his box seat. The car drivers
presented the same mummy-llke appearance, but
bore their exposure brayely. The "brake" is the
great trouble 70 The car driver on q cold day. The
rails are slippery, and the 'Drake" does not bite
readily. Standing on the platform, by the side or
one OF these drivers, yesterday, sympathizing
HERALD reporter remarked to him, "Ihese many
you get tlredP" Down canes the brake,
200 Couldn't drive car" The reporter found the
driver did not appreciate his Scrptural reference,
and so dropped the conversation. The passengers
In che cars buried their feet IN the liberal supply Of
straw with W hich each car was provided, and put
themselves even into smaller compass than usual.
Professionalism was pursued with difficulties; the
snow that hid been allowed to remain on the
q surface that 1t became treacherOus 1OOtnOld,
and al hau to take heed unto their steps; and there
were not few VINO, presumng upon their
strength, or pursuing their course thOughllessly
IN an upright position by some kind Samaritan.
Several OF these Wel-meant intentions ulti-
mated into discontinue, for he who stopped to
pick up the fallen man not infrequently was
the streets for gossip they accompanied the talk
with movement OF the feet that resemDled the
ssngger's double shuttle" and when they parted
they pursued their way ION the run.n Broadway
In the afternoon was very lively; ladies were out In
great numoer doing their Christmas shopping. Many
OF them were as closely yelled as Eastern nuns, and
the beauty OF their faces was hidden from the pub
lie gaze anu partially protected from the cold.
There was a general loneliness about the walking
along this wOrld-renowned tnOrOughfare that
spoke well for The general healhness OF those who
had braved the cOld snap" to do the business per-
tanning TO the great festival Of the year.