New-York tribune., 1881-09-02
HEAT AND DROUTH.
MOTHER DAY OF GREAT DISCOMFORT.

ANOTHER DAY OF GREAT DISCOMFORT.
THE MERCURY EIGHT DEGREES LOWER THAN ON
WEDNESDAY, BUT THE HEAT FELT QUITE AS
sEvERELY-sCENES IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE
CITY-THE PROSPECT OF RAIN NOT ENCoURAG-
ING.
Scarcely capful of wind was stirring in this
city yesterday Although the yelled by clouds,
the heat was very oppressive and encrvatng. Along
roadway and the whiting humanity wearily
plodded. Men walked with listless air, If there
were nothing to live for this planet and the only
signs OF energy displayed in the vigorous of
the handkerchief and the of the English Ian
guage Occasionally light breeze would saunter up
side street and would be gratefully enjoyed oterers
as long 1t lasted When it had died away lnger
ing death the knots Of pedestrians would sadly
continue their journey. Audacious persons car
RED their coats their and used their
hats for FANS while seats the top Of stages and the
'front.' platforms OF sreetcars oil day long at pre-
MUM. Every open car crowded, and all the car
lines had heavy passenger traffic, for pedestranism
was grevous burden. The vender Of cheap lemonade
ana other decoctlons drove trade that would make
Chatham-st merchant weep with envy.
When the mercury registered 71o at o'clock yos
terday morning. according to the Signal Service Bureau,
the average NewYorker fanced for himself comforta:
bic day This pleasing reflection based the theory
nat the faint southwesterly wind then prevailing,
would veer around and give place cooler breeze
would move faster than six miles an hour. This
hope proved delusive, for the wind soon showed
signs OF weariness and approached seemed to
grow entirely discouraged dead calm fell
the city, The mercury vaued to 800 by IL o'clock and
ended Its upward progress at o'clock by adding
degrees to its score.
The reputation of the thermometer, however suffered
yesterday Eghtysx degrees short OF represent
ing the general suffering and annoy ance
OF the community. Tho air was close and
nuggy, and as destitute of life the atmosphere of
crowded room Persons who sat still were drenched
In perpiraton while moving about only added to their
misery. Men inspected thermometers and dis
gused at the story they told Chinaman at Broadway
and Annst declared that e" the thing had lun
down" and ought to be wound up The parks
were the only places that afforded any
relief from the intense heat that prevailed
in the city Men transacted business in offices quickly
and sought the air, while those who
TO cher I desks whcd away spare time in the hollow
80 Inc exodus from the ci, was large The popular lines
In the day crowds OF women and ohiIdren filled the
steamers runnng to the various summer resorts Many
q ride on tho elevated roads and over the
stirring repay traveller for his Journey From the
windows of these cars children could be seen scam
pcity of costume. one yoInrster waf seen in a basin
OF water on, on the floor spashing like watcrmll and
sonsed up to his neck in barrel Of water by mother
whOops Nowsboys down town foraged %'' for pools So
O OIL, water near hydrants and padded about
their their especial delight, and the e vendors Sefs
were oIteh SLOW 10 prevent small pieces their
STOCK from being pilfered Several dealers In
leaves were noticed on the Easde, an invest
ent OF Que cent patrons were guarap eed against
stroke on the professional reputation the ycnders
Old men were seen carefully lining their with the
leaves which were moistened with water and then for
ufylng their stomachs with slices OF watermelons a "A
neighboring stand The temperature OF the day no
beershops. One largo dealer sold twenty kegs m glasses
during the day and others also reported unusually large
SAFE OF lus beverage. Fancy iced drinks sold like hot
cakes In the winter while mt the large sodawater
tans extra forces OF men and boys had pressed
into service.
Car and stage horses showed by their detected air and
unwilling pace how the heat told upon them. Extra
relays had 10 be provided and when the
the watering toughs along the lines they had their
mouths and heads sponged in addition slaLng their
nerce thirst A number OF horses jauuty caps,
evidently To protect them from fever Several
day than ON any previous day this summer.
All day long the sky with clouds hut thu
hopedf0r shower did not fall did oiccrs of he
signal Service Bureau offer much for to-day
or even Tor toinorrow The oppressive temperature of
yesterday Ia likely TO continue the OF the week
modified somewhat perhaps by au occasional shower,
LbeFc Is no large storm, however, approach
ing tho city TO clarity tho atmosnher.
aud reduce tho record OF tho Thermometer On th,
Equitable building yesterday II nearly warm ap-
parcnty as IN broadway, hut IL IL somewhat
that the highest temperature registered at Hudnut
nal Office Tho highest temperatures reported yester-
day from other cities were 96o at Boston, and 90 at
Albany.
light breeze sprang up in the evening but did not
materially alleviate the general suffering The prospect
OF rain was increased and. with shower,
New-fork to-day may DC less unconfort table city
1t was Yesterday.