The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-05 00:00:00

THE WEATHER AND THE PARKS,

During the last three or-four days, contrary to the no-
tions which the previous mild state of the weather created,
a sudden change took place, accompanied with a sharp and
bitter frost, which in that brief period cut up entirely or
spoiled the foliage of many still standing plants, and de.
stroyed for a time the growth of gardeners' stock intended
for the London markets, Yesterday evening the thermo-
meter was two degrees below freezing point.

•
The Royal Humane Society, anticipating from the prog-
nostics that the frost is likely to last with the same severity
and quite as long as it did in 1813-14, have gone to the ex-
pense of providing a very warm, expensive, and well-ap-
pointed uniform for the men employed on the ice during
the time they are watching the danger that may possibly
befal many who are always ready to disport themselves
upon the ice, regardless of the risk they run, even when the
ice, as at the present time, is in a very insecure condition.
Further provision for the restoration of the apparently
drowned has been made by Mr. Young, the secretary, and
Mr. Superintendent Williams, who have had some canvas
tents made, so as to form temporary canvas hospitals, such
as were used in the Crimea. These are fitted up with hot-
water baths and medicine chests. The society's surgeons,
who usually attend difficult cases in Hyde-park, Kensing-
ton-gardens, and the Regent's. park, now that the tempo-
rary tent hospitals are erected, have signified their willing-
ness to do all they are able to attend upon immersed per•

sons.

Deputy-Superintendent Perry, an old officer of the so-
ciety, has been placed in charge of a number of icemen in
St. James's-park, and it was fortunate they were there,
for the ice, especially at the end of the lake nearest the
Horse Guards, had only just formed sufficiently thick to
deceive the more venturesome—but in spite of the cautions
given by the society's men, a number managed to get by
stealth through the trees, and the consequences were that, '
in the course of a very short time, some 25 to 30 men and
boys became immersed. Fortunately they were all rescued
by the Royal Humane Society's men.
The Royal hound Pond, Kensington Gardens—At an
early hour in the morning Mr. Superintendent Williams,
by the order of Mr. Young, had three men belonging to the
society placed on duty here. They were provided with
ropes, drags, sledges, breaker-ladders, atd life-buoys. The
reason for so doing was that this favourite place was com-
pletely besieged, and about 3,Q00 persons disported them-
selves upon the ice, which, although tolerably firm, is far
from being sufficiently strong to bear so great a number at
present. Several severe accidents occurred during the day
by persons falling upon their heads upon the ice, but no
immersion worth recording occurred.
The Long Water, Kensington Gardens—A number of
the!society's men have been placed on duty here, to prevent
persons from venturing upon the frozen surface, which
was considered to be in a very dangerous condition. On
thetupper end of the Long Water, which is considered the
most secure, the ice gave way in several parts, and several
persons were immersed, but they were happily all rescued.
The total number of sliders and skaters upon this piece of
water during the day was estimated by Mr, Superintendent
Williams'at 2,500. Amongst those who had a good duck-
ing was one of the Horse Guards, who, booted and spurred,
was enjoying himself at "circuitous sliding"—a half-circle

slide.
The Regent's Park—Sliding and skating commenced in
earnest at this park from an early hour in the morning.
The broad open water was partially frozen over, but there
are several pools of open water which render the place, upon
the whole, far from being secure. By directions of Deputy
Superintendent Parsons, the skaters and sliders were driven
to the " gut" facing the society's tent, where they skated
and slid away towards the entrance of Marylebone Church.
Skating and sliding also went on with full vigour on the
narrow waters near the suspension-bridges, but a great
many fell into deep water ; they were rescued, and taken
to the tent, where, under proper treatment, they recovered.
The ice on the Grand Surrey Canal and the Crystal
Palace lakes is about an inch and a half in thickness.
The Victoria Park bad also a great number of patrons,
btat nothing of a serious character occurred.

REPRESENTATION OF MALDON.—Mr. H. J.
Selwin, a son-in-law of the late Lord Lyndhurst, is
announced as a candidate for the representation of Maldon
at the next general election. At the present time the
borough is represented by Mr. Peacock, a Conservative, and
Mr. Western, a Liberal. Mr. Selwin is a Conservative.