The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-02 00:00:00

THE WEATHER AND THE PARKS.

After the rapid thaw of Friday last the frost resumed
its sway, and continued up to last evening with great
severity. On Saturday night, at 8 o'clock, the thermo-
meter at the Royal Humane Society's Receiving-house,
Hyde-park, indicated 221, degrees, and at 8 o'clock yes-
terday morning had ascended to 30 degrees, but, again
receded to 23 degreee, at which point it remained dar-
ing the greater portion of the day, with the wind
N.N.W., but occasionally veering to due W. The snow
which descended on Saturday had the effect of rendering
the streets extremely slippery yesterday morning, and
this condition was not diminished, but rather increased,
by the heavy fall of snow which took place at noon yes-
terday. The accidents which occurred in the streets by
persons falling are almost incalculable, requiring in most
of the hospitals the constant attention of the medical
officers in the accident wards. Among these, a young
lady named Harriet Williams, of Ebury-street, Pimlico,
fell on Westminster-bridge, and fractured heir right
thigh ; Mr. Thomas Harris, of Clapham-common, fell
near the Dorset Arms, and dislocated his right sh oulder,
and similar accidents were sustained by other persons
whose names are unknown.
The river has not since the year 1841, when fi3amuel
Scott, the celebrated diver, so strangely terminated his
existence, presented so singular appearance. Large
masses of floating ice, covered with frozen snow-, were
carried up and down by the tide, and attracted the at-
tention of numerous spectators on the various metropo-
litan bridges.
HYDE-PARK AND KENSINGTON-GARDENS.

At an early hour in the morning a considerable number
of skaters and sliders appeared on the Serpentine•, Long
Water, and Round Pond, while numerous spectators
were assembled on the banks. Many of these were dis-
persed by the fall of snow at noon, but after this the
sun broke forth, and by the reflection of its rays upon
the trees and surrounding scenery produced a most
brilliant effect. From this period to five o'clock myriads
of well-dressed visitors, including a large proportion of
ladies, thronged towards the frozen waters, completely
lining the sides, drives, and promenades, particularly on
the north bank of the Serpentine, which was nearly
impassable from the vast number of spectators. The ice
was very firm, in thickness nearly six inches ; but, from
being constantly covered with snow, it had to be con-
tinually swept for the skaters. The recent break-up of

the frost produced many rough excrescences, but, upon
thethe ice was smooth and good, Upon the
su whole,rface
it was estimated that during the day the skaters
and sliders on the Serpentine were upwards of 30,000 ;
Long Water, 10,000 ; and Round Pond, 7,000. No
accidents whatever took place from immersion.
ST. JAMES'S-PARK.

The enclosure in this park was during the day thronged
with countless thousands, and it was, in consequence,
nearly as difficult to obtain ingress at the varlet= gates
as to a popular theatre on any extraordinary occasion.
The surface of the frozen water, where the ice was
nearly five inches thick, and exceedingly firm, was
during the day attended by more than 12,000 skaters
and sliders. But one accident occurred through
immersion, to a youth named 'Williamson, of No. 8,
Rochester-row, Westminster, who received stimulants
at the marquee, and was enabled to proceed home.
The surface of the ice, although generally fimOoth and