The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-17
ANOTHER STORM OF sLUSH.
The Beautifully Swashy and Splashy
Streets-The Services OF the Street
Clea ming Depa rtment In ReQutsfftOn.

The Beautifully Swashy and Splashy
Strcets-The Services OF the Street
Cleaning Department In Requisftion.
BY far the most disagreeable storm of this
strangely stormy Winter broke over the city yes
terday. At tour O'Clock in the morning the sky,
which was clear and starry, became suddenly over.
cast, and biting cold and piercing wind which
Immediately ensued warned the few pedestrians
who still loitered about the streets OF the ncces
sty OF seeking shelter. The stars all disappeared
and the very heavens seemed laden with storm.
In few minutes snow commenced to fall, at the
first in thin, watery fakes, but 1t soon increased
in extent, and at five O'Clock the heaviest snow
fall OF the season was In full progress.
1t showed necessarily from that time until
eleven O'Clock in the forenoon, at which time there
were several inches upon the ground. The mounds
which had remained upon the streets since the
last snow storm as monuments to the
INACTIVITY OF THE STREET CLEANING DEPARTMENT
were whitened over and the street car tracks were
so blockaded that transit became almost impOs-
sible. The crowds Of people who flock to the
various churches on Sunday morning were nowhere
to be seen yesterday, the most devout preerring
to worship under their own vine and fig tree rather
tnan brave the dangers OF street travel and the
risk OF catching cold from wet feet. The ferry
and the patient street-car horses found it weary
task TO drag the clumsy vehicles to which they
were harnessed through the gathering snow, slush
Rubbers and arctics were the order of the day,
but the snow, which was OF the melting, insinuat.
ing KIND, penetrated through everything until it
reached the feet making every one whom inclinac
ton or duty compelled to traverse the streets feel
thoroughly uncomfortable. The Third Avenue
Railroad was the only one which made compara-
lively good time, the BleecKer street line being as
usual beset with difficulties, while all the others
were more or less Knocked out OF their usual rate
OF travel. There was an entire disappearance OF
s.elghs the binding snow rendering that mode Of
transit anything but agreeable.
THE NASTY RAIN.
AT eleven O'Clock the snow suddenly gave
way way to e, rain, and since that time until the
almost without intermisson. 1t is no exag.
geration to say that rivers of slush and water
boat could be easily hoated at some OF the cross
ings. The snow, by the action OF the rain. became
soitened and melted and, mingling with the rain.
it greatly helped to swell the torrent In the lied
OF the car tracks the miniature lakes were speedily
termed, and the unfortunate traveller who, daring
at fun speed, would ind himself covered with
muddy slush from head to foot The few drivers
the storm swore at each other with their usual
ferocity, atiording foretaste of the medley of
strange sounds aud the amiable feelings which Will
be INDUCED in on Broadway to-day. In the narrow
streets, where the mountains of snow were
piled up on either side, afrording only a
passage for u single carriage, encounters were
numerous and when two coaches came in contact
from opposite directions they would like the two
goats on the Alps, neither get out of the others
way until the services of the police would be
called into requlsition.
THE sLEIGHING ~.
The visions OF continued good sleighing which
the snow OF the morning promised to all lovers OF
the sport were rudey dlspel.ed by the rain OF the
afternoon and evening, and, except the runners
VIII not be very brisk Taking yesterday all in all
1t was the most thoroughly disagreeabe day OF the
season, and the after results in the shape of dirry
streets, muddy crossings and slippery sidewalks
are painful to contemplate. The street Cleaning
Department Will have another opportunity 10 i'm
1nortaliZe ITSELF and Ii Is to he hoped il will not
as on former occasions, throw the golden chance
aWay.