text:  It was now the depth of winter; snowy showers were succeeded by biting frosts; the very smoothness of the surface of the wooden pavement was against it; for as no steps were taken to prevent slipperiness by cleansing or sanding the street--or better still perhaps by roughing the horses' shoes many tumbles took place on this doomed little portion of the road; and some of the city police having probably in the present high state of English morals little else to do were employed to count the falls