New-York tribune., 1873-01-04
IN THE STREETS.

The most disagTeeable days of the season
WILL in all probability, date from yesterday. Certain IT
is that presented the worst phases of the
Winter time combined with all the drearness OF the
Spring equinox. Men of business ana pleasure alike
deprecated the alliance of and rain. The snow,
which only a few days before gave promise of old
fashioned Winter became OF treaoherous slush
ana the raD-the sequel day Of pleasant weather
its visions OF prospective Winter sports--brought
with n influenza and il-humOr for all who waded
the streets The city had for its panoramic effects
;hrongs Of struggling pedestrians and overworked
horses dripping caves and occasional avalanches Of
snow from the hOuse-tops, and startling collisions OF
ferry-boats afoat and stages shore. Bread
way, imperfectly cleared Of snow, became a
canal bordered by banks of ice streaked with the filth
Of the city. The streetcrossngs sloughs Through
an expanse Of foul the great hrong Of pedestrians
waded foundered ankle deep. What at first sight
only promised TO chill, proved too late to be filthy
pool covered by a mass OF dscoored snow, into which
one sank. and from which escape could only be had
through very much Of the same disagreeable
element There absolutely thoroughfare open to
dreaded wet feet and splashed clothes. All day
long the streets crowded with every manner OF
vehicle from the ponderous dray TO the hghtest oonpe
the usual hazard Of crossing the streets was
added the risk OF fall and the certainty OF shower Of
muddy water from passing teams.
Asi the rain and the snow were not enough TO dis
hearten and disgust, the city wraT in a fog so
dense tnat all Olects, animate ana lDauet were lOst
II shadow. Coming after the deepest SHOW for many
Winters fOg the densest known for many
Every moment objects into sight vanished like
dissovng IL the spectator gazed at the
dampened muslin behind which the magic-lantern
peophDg strange atmosphere with shadowy creation
Ever aud grotesque figures appeared made more
cOmical by the enveloping moisture which rounded of
all angles and distorted all lines OF beauty. Under such
Influences the sight OF pOrty market woman struggling
for and maintaining right Of way" through crowd
Of beIated clerks and giSgling shop-girls became
yeTitabe Punch and Judy entertainment, with all the
scenic effects in motion,
APRIL RAIN.
But aside from che incidents the history Of the day
must After nigbtall Thursday the rain
which had long threatened began 10 fall. 1t not
one Of Winter which, by their dash and
fury encourage rather than depress the SOUL but be-
ginning with gentle steamike vapor, 1t soon became
drizzling shower which falling in wavy lines insinu
Hied its dampness alike through clothing and umbrel
las II was a moisture which penetrated everywhere
and enyeloped the beated traveller whether foot
IN a streei-car. No waterproof was so thick as
20 shut out that feeling Of dampness; no exercise
OF when the pedestrian capable was sufficiently
enhvening stir the sluggish pulse This rain, prevail
mig through night reduced streets OF the city 10
condition which, IN disagreeaoe detail defes e1agger
alton, and its continuance yesterday and last evening
afforded the prospect Of something worse to-day. Per
baps pedestrian OF yesterday compelled 10 choose
Between the Clauce OF ldL ne spring
from icy ndge another the certainty OF wet
ting If he plunged recElessly through the slime, may
think more Kindly to-day OF the puddles and dtches
STRENGTHENED as he will be by dire experience.
The continued, and although the fog partly lifted
during weather became none the less
hsagreeabe. Streams Of water oyerOwed the sidewalks
and deed the efforts Of gangs Of labOrers
who stroye TO give direction 10 their channels. No
sooner was crossing cleared in Broadway than the
throng delayed vehicles rendered it impossible
before With all the efforts OF the streetoeaners, the
two crossings between the City Hall and the Battery,
FultOnst. and Maiden lane, were not kept cleared
TRAVEL AND TRAFFIC NPEDED.
Man the only sufferer from the thaw for the ter
rble condition the streets renders the locOmOton Of
horses very tiresome. On several lines teams were
taken from the streetcars and their places sup
phed 10y the horses attached in the In
instances the aded dropped in the traces
aud ended misery On the extreme east side Of
the city the teams doubled up and the cars were
running Oh half time The all the lines were
dragged through alternate ponds OF dirty water and OBJ
riruetions Of snow, and those who wished to ride
were forced reach the by wadng through in
terveniDg slough Of uncertain depth. AS to be
pected all who forced the distress
lpg features OF the day. remained at their homes and as
aooDsequenoe the care not so badly crowded as
they are II ordinarily stormy weather Those however
m business lnchnatiOns who deferred their journey
down town In the hope the day would brighten,
were doomed 10 disappointment. Al a the fog was
oenser than az and at 10 thicker before. Then
came the dnzIng rain until late IN the afternoon the
fog nearly cleared away damp night soon set In
Every mans face set in the direction OF his home at
The earliest possible moment the business portion Of
the city wrapped n dreary silence the evening
Delays in reaching onces not the only annoy
snces from which business suffered. All the mails
were two or three bours behind time The Erie mail due
nj 1880 D. To- on Thursday did not arrive until a. H.
Yesterday TIE mail over the same road due at a. r
id NOT reach the city until the afternoon Even after
the mails reach the office the postmen find impossible
70 make regular trips from house 70 house.
The olosiug OF all means OF communication with the
rural districts has prevented the marketmen from
tanning their supplies Of fresh meats and the food
generally offered OF poor quality The means Of de-
livery are ~ uncertain bousekeepers can no longer
put ANY reliance upon arrival OF bakers butchers
or Iuilkmen Tie milkmen rely upon the railroads and
tbe trains less delayed Many oi the streets
impsssable for light express wagon ana grocers
have 70 depend upon for the delivery OF orders
Superintendent TbOrne Of the Street Cleaning Bureau
bad his busily at work. majority OF the force
were employed IN removing ashes and garbage rom
the front OF dwellings Owing " the streets Deins
bloebsced with snow there has been great accumula
Of this rubbsh great the quantity that its
removal viii occupy about week Several hundred
at work also in all parts Of the city, cleaning
away approaches the sewer cuyers at the street
that the ow of from the melting sDow
might tTun oa " some of the great thoroughfsres' DOW