The New York herald., 1871-12-25
GLOOMY GOTHAM
The Upper Portion Of the City Still
ShrOuded In Darkness.
soMBRE CHRISTMAS EVE.
The Churches Forsaksn Because Of No Light
Therein. and the Undevout Youth Of Both
Sexes Making Love in tho Moonlight
WHAT IS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT,

N- 4t --- IH f9 HMMNE
Strangers entering the city last evening at the
Grand Central depot were at loss 10 conjecture
what caused the mysterious gloom which br0oded
over the city from Thirty.fourth to Seventy ninth
street. The gayety and cheerfuness which are
generally 10 be observed in the stores along the
avenues and streets In the upper part OF the city
were entirely wanting, and In their stead q somDre
darkness everywhere prevailed. The mansions on
Filth and Madison avenues, usually abaze with
light, looked as II the inhabitants OF them had
.rsg 4e NADE GENERAL ExoEs ...r..e.
anu lett them to their loneliness. The street cars
were crowded with travellers who coula not Hnd
their way through the city, as the landmarks. the
gas lamps, which generally serve as guide. gave
sign Of light shopkeepers were not by any means
In u state OF thanxfuness, lovers flirting by che
.s Fl PALE Light OF THE MOON
were In state OF bliss. The rouRhs who congre-
gated IN crowds around the street corners were ripe
Tor mischief Of any kind, disappointed Christians
who could nnd no church open Tor worship were
loud In their grumbngs, ana the feeling In the city
was dark In the extreme. The source OF
all tlis confusion and gloom was caused,
az our readers are aware. BY the explosion OF the
works or the Metropolitan Gas Company, the par
tculars OF which were given IN the ISSUE OF yester
day. This company supplied district which ex-
and from river to river, embracing within 1t the
most fashionable portion Of the city and tho largest
number Of the places OF worship. The loss caused
by the explosion and
ta CONSEQUENT DARKNESS
to the storekeepers on saturday evening has been
estimated ut more than $4,000. and yesterday
the depression stili continued entailing fur
ther losses. Of all seasons OF the year
at which such an accident could happen
the present Is the most unpropiLious as the idea OF
light and brightness Is inseparabe from Christmas
festival. The confectionery ana toy stores which
contribute largely TO the beauty OF our streets on
Christmas eve, were shorn Of all their gayety by the
explosion, and the beauty OF the saleswomen was
even dlmmed by the rejection OF the tallow can
dies which were used instead OF the gas. Tho deal
ers in glass lamps did rushing trade Saturday
evening and yesterday, ana dispensers OF
tho nonexplosve who happened to have a
good stock III hand made small fortune so lively
was the demand. Going up town last evening,
until you came TO Tniriy-foursn street the city
presented It's usual appearance, the street lamps
were oil lighted, und the oyster saloons and
restaurants were resplendent with increased cheer.
fulness. But wien Thrty.Ourth street was reacned
change came over the spirit OF the dream, anu In
an instant, as II Dy magic, yOu were plunged into
tnc deepest gloom. On one side OF the street the
laT31 WERE BBILIIAHTLY ILLUMINATED -
and on the other not particle OF light, forming a
contrast sirIking that II was the theme OF
universal remark. the twinkng red and blue
lights OF the street could be up Broad.
way, looking like VIII " the " isps IN tine n NaD
+ egl MIDST OF THE DARKNESS. + II tt#lg
The utmost diversity OF FEELING prevailed among
aster. Some looked uponsho arair good jokc
and seemed TO enjoy II hugely, but thcse wer0 tho
interested gave vent 70 their rage III curses botn
| loud and deep. rtDl .gslh N.afN le 5HEt
seemed to be least aneCtcd 0y-ihe darkness AZ they
looked TO be plying roaring trade by the fickering
OF musing topers gathered around the bars. eagcfY
discussing the effects OF the absence OF
sn! s q gloom s S'ss sa
draughts OF their favorlte beverages than they
couid hope to do under the gaslignt: and many,
overcome " their pOtau0ns, gave vent to tielr
Overwrought feelings III Christmas songs, more re-
markable for noise than harmony. Family en-
tnan usual. me colored lights in the windows
loomed up with more dlstinctness. ana the general
tendency OF the salo0n keepers ana their customers
was to keep as Jolly Is possible under sii Circum.
stances. frtiA aW srtFfg sqN iaaniMH1 IGiuf cAW
which I'm ordinary times are the chief adornmcnts
the city, particularly at night looked az slcky In
the feeble glare 0i tho impr0vised lights a. the
medicines dispensed In them, anu the cadayerous-
LOOKING clerks aDpeareda as n they had boen phys
licked within an inch of their lives. Ks u.lca7
4 If ErN TIN CHURCHKS. zfI tsefYesHf
All Ahe churches were closed, much TO
the chxxrin OF numbers VINO < anticipated
Sy se manS 81 me cno In ISe cnrcses
this was especially The case. and In christ church
particularly. as . very attractive programme had
been announced Tor the services VI yesterday
EVENING" Beng christmas Eve numbers OF people,
who were unaware OF The extent Of the disaster,
had come ny from the lower part Of the city 70 at
tend the services but ast0nlshed to ind closed
doors and general dtrkness IN all the religious
edihces. In some OF them attempts had been ma 10
TO substitute candles iOr gas, but though they vert
fled tho line or the poet by taE.t
SHEDDING A DIM RELIGIOUS LIGHT,v
IL was thought devOtlOn5 neld under such crcunl-
stances would not 10 conducive 10 morality and It
was therefore decided TO keep closed doors. For
ritualiss, II they had only thought OF It, ne OPP
portunity was afforded FOR display vf their pc
cuiar practices; but strange to say, no advantage
paans and presby terians were for once agreed IN
iher views upon the same question: but the Roman
Catholics determined TO have the usual midnight
mass preparatory Tor Christmas Day at all hazards.
THE FLlRriEG.
II was remarked that larger amount OF Glrting
c Tne wore ne With gar Of
q longer con'inuance OF the delightful gloom The
mooh was in that peculiar state " beauty which
poets represent TO be most favorable for i6vemax-
Ing, and under Its gentle influence hands were
tendery pressed aud soft speeches were made all
the sweeer by reason taat everything yer around looked
aud N the dim light strong arms We're 10 DO observed
clasplng slender waists, all parties looking su.
named % MAKE love; and It Is than likely that
Christmas Eve will be long remembered BY tho lads
and ssses o. the upper 4@E PST1,Sn soua% o. the city,
Considerable apprehension was felt lest the
r0ughs, who abound thckly on the Streets might
commit depredations under cover OF the darkness.
but the appearance OF the Queen OF Night, mo.
mentarlly Increasing in brightness as the evening
wore on, In . great measure dispelled the iears
which were entertained. -. ~. -
( :. t.f---. THE dRASb cESTRAI DEPOT, =.
looming through the gloom, looked ike A0fne old
baronal castle ts Usual brfillancy being entirely
lacking Around on Madison avenue the luxurious
residences were either In utter darkness or so dtmy
lighted up rs To make darkness preferable. The
club houses were deserted and the restaurants were
almost empty. HERALD reporter visited the
SCENE OF THE EXPLOSION.
yesterday, where u large gang OF wOrkmen were
Dustly engaged In clearing away the debris. Con-
repairing Is TO 60 on uncoAsingy until the damage
IS entirely repaired. An Ollcer Or the company WAS