The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-16

q great gain TO the country.
But though we here in New York hav,
had only brush OF snow 80 far. IN New
England, in northern New York, and al
the West there was plenty of it on Satur.
Jay and Sunday, aud runners came into
requisitiou, and now there is no reason to
doubt that they Will be kept in pretty
steady use throughout the winter. one
hundred consecutive days OF sleighing is
not an unusual experience in northern
New Eugland.
Though the air was 90 pleasant, and out
ot-dOor cxerci'o so inviting. this interval
OF mild weather had ito drawback In
the condition of the streets. 40 long ms
women will wear long skirts in the street
when mud is rs plenty on the pavements
rs IL If now, they cannot fail TO present
other than an attractive appearance as
they walk abroad in the city. 4 fow
years ago they were permitted by fashion
to cut their petticoats OF little above
the heels OF their shoes. They must have
enjoyed their brief respite from the duty
of sweeping the sidewalks. and certainly
when they got home their dresses were
cleaner. We cannot solve the mystery of
feminine notions OF comfort and tiscom-
fort, but II man had been Obliged by his
tallOr To wear ~ coat that dragged and
was once allowed to have il cut "A little
shorter, we are sure the tailor would
never again be suffered to restore the SUI
porfluous inches of cloth. But that is a
matter of difference between the sexes
too vast IN its scope for us to lightly touch
IN
fashions of women's street dresses seem to
require them TO keep one hand constantly
employed In holding up their drapery.
We should think the labor would prove
uresome and suggest the obvious remedy;
but II II doesn't, 1t is useless for us 10 in
tmate TO our fair friends that if mems
trousers dragged in the mud as they
walked and produced peculiarly dis
agreeable grating sound, they would have
them cut shorter rather than be put TO the
annoyance of keeping one hand occupied
In taking in reef.
Mr.. WALTER of London aud other for.
eigners have lately said some pleasant
things about the United States, as the re-
suit OF their observations at the Centennial
Exhibition, but all our European visitors
make no bones OF declaring that we beat
the world in the matter Of bad pavements.
Constantinople, perhaps. excepted. II is
an old story, and we don't deny TINT our
street pavements are very bad, nor will
we take issue with one Of these travellers
when he says we have paid enough. i'm New
YORK nj least, 10 have them. II not Of gold,
certainly of material even better ADAPTED
than gold for city thoroughfnres. No
pavement, however could prevent bad
condition Of the streets after n winters
thaw. Mud and slush are then inevitable
and we know OF no way OF Immediately
getting rid Of snow when II falls in great
quantities. II we could do il. the snow
should he removed from the streets as fast
rs II acoumulates. 1t is "A nuisance IN n
clty OF So variable a climate as OUR, though
II may aid traffic In cities like Montreal or |
81 Petersburg, and even not be out of |
place IN Boston, whore II can be kept in |
lis original consistency, and become so |
packed by Use rs to aid the locomotion Of |
vehicles. But we cant do il III New York. |
IL Is many winters since we have seen |
runners III Use for more than few DAYS |
together, aud snow Is now always n serious |
mpediment TO travel and traffic. Twenty |
Years ago Broadway was often gay with |
ne sleigh bells, aud the omnibuscs gave |
place 10 huge sleds which carried merry |
companies up and down town, but that is
all over now. The sleighs must bo well
listed and rotted during their long disuse.
AS To pavements, the best is the asphalt.
'ut we seem far OF from getting it here.
There Is "A little specimen piece Of II along
Madison square opposite the woRTn Mon
Imenf, and II has stood the test OF several
ears use pretty successfully, though not
ana we believe. ms asphalt should be laid
N concrete foundation, but simply on
he lowered Belgian pavement During
WEEDS reign we had streets payed
WITH what was called asphalt, but il was
iraud-a sort of pOultice of tar aud
shes, which melted under the sun and
lelded TO foot or hoof The wood pave
nents which we tried also proved "a failure.
hey are not adapted to "A great city being
nepual TO the wear. But we hope the
lay will come when we shall see n proper
nd durable asphalt pavement on our chief
horouRhfares. No one knows how iniu-
lous to nerves is the present stonc:pave-
lent with the consequent noise. Stand
ear the WORTH Monument and compare
he change from the Belgian blocks 10 the
nooth asphalt and you will get an idea
I what din We live in. II must tell ON
ne nerves besides the damage OF the rat
ing aud Joltlng to the vehicles and the
ard road 10 the horses hoofs.
But though we hope TO see many inn
royements and advances in the city : wei
IRE during the term rs Mayor of MI.
NTH Ely, Jr., we do not anticipate such
mendine of the condition OF our streets
: to remove all the grounds for the for
gner descriptions OF them as the worst
the civilized world.
Gen. Hancock.