The Sun.
London, England, 1861-01-09 00:00:00

T.HE WEATHER AND THE PARKS.

EXTRAORDINARY SCENES AND ACCI-
DENTS ON THE ICE.
Some great novelty frequently takes place in the
metropolis to draw, according to the phrase, " all
London out of doors," but the most extraordinary
spectacle that was ever witnessed on the Ser-
pentine River, in Hyde park, took place yester-
day, and was not concluded at an advanced
hour last night. For some days past, since the
frost set in, it was contemplated to have a grand
inspection of several of the volunteer rifle corps
on the Serpentine, to be accompanied by an
exhibition of fireworks and nocturnal torchlight
skating matches. As far as the latter was con-
cerned it was carried out with the greatest spirit,
but the authorities, being apprehensive that if the
former were allowed, a fearful sacrifice of life
might ensue, they sent round to the different depots
warning the commanding officers of the danger
that was likely to take place in the event of their
sanctioning such a proceeding. The muster of
volunteers expected did not in consequence take
place; and, judging from the crowded state of the
ice and the vast multitude of persons who lined the
foot promenades, it was exceedingly fortunate that
it did not.
Mr. Inspector Grant, of the A division, with
nearly 50 constables, were placed on duty in Hyde-
park, in order to keep a way clear for the persons
who might become immersed or otherwise injured,
to be passed to the receiving-house.
Daring the day-time about thirty thousand per-
sons, including many members of the skating club,
amused themselves upon the ice, but after the
shades of the evening set in, a sight took place
which, according to Mr. Young, the secretary, and
Mr. Williams, the superintendent of the Royal
Humane Society, had never before been witnessed
in Hyde-park. Shortly after five o'clock some-
thing like 50,000 persons went upon the ice in
Hyde-park, and there were nearly half that number
who carried lighted flambeaux, causing a reflection
in the sky as to resemble from a distance a terrible
conflagration in the West-end of London. Booths,
tents, and marquees were erected in sundry direc-
tions upon the ice in this park, which, together
with the immense number of blazing fires fixed on
the ice, for cooking purposes, made the Serpentine
look like a country fair on a large scale. The
banks on either side of the park were crowded,
there being, it is computed, over 150,000 persons
present, and towards nine o'clock the carriage
roads became crowded with vehicles conveying
members of the nobility and gentry, who had been
attracted to the place to witness the evolutions on
the ice. From Charing-cross to Apsley-gate one
continuous stream of persons kept wending their
way towards the park, and about half-past nine
o'clock it was with the greatest difficulty that
either men, women, or children, could pass back-
wards or forwards.
At that time the pyrotechnic display began in
earnest. All sorts of fireworks were let off on
almost every part of the frozen river. Catherine-
wheels, rockets, flower-pots, crackers, &c., were
momentarily let off, to the amusement of the pro-
menaders on the banks and the skaters on the ice.
There Was also on the Serpentine a large pavilion,
beautifully decorated, and illuminated with Chinese
lanthorns. This had evidently been got up by some
enterprising. publican in the neighbourhood, for
every description of creature comforts could be
obtained there, including ham and beef, ale and
porter, and, according to a large label affixed in the
tent, " Gladstone's French Wines." Various other
tents for the sale of refreshments, &c., were placed
in rows along the east end of the river, and also on
the north shore. Not fewer than 300 persons were
actively employed at coke and charcoal fires in
roasting chesnuts ; but the most singular thing
that was seen was a lamp high enough for a man to
stand in, which was illuminated with the patent
lime light. This was patronised by a great number
of soldiers and ladies and gentlemen who amused
themselves for hours, by going through the " ex-
press train" skating match, a variety of polkas and
quadrilles. Immense pans of coloured fires were
carried along the ice, and as the skaters with their
links, and the ladies sliding passed by, made them
look like unearthly spectres. These proceedings had
the effect of amusing the many thousands on the
banks, but they were attended with almost fatal
consequence to several persons.
Thomas Kelley, of No. 7, Crescent-place, Bromp-
ton. and Esther Kelley, ventured upon the ice
which had been broken for her Majesty's kitchen,
and they became immersed in eight feet of water.
Under the direction of Deputy-Superintendent
Murphy, and the exertions of icemen Higginbottom
and Webb, they were got out, taken to the Receiv-
ing-house, put into hot baths, and afterwards to
bed. They were attended to by Mr. Young, the
secretary, and Mr. 'Williams, the superintendent,
and they happily recovered sufficiently to be re-
moved to their home in a cab. Had it not been for
the exertions of the icemen, both must have been
drowned.
At a late hour last night three ladies were en-
gaged cutting sticking-plaster at the Royal Humane
Society's receiving-house for dressing the wounds
of the injured persons caused by being tripped up
by the skaters. A great number of men and women
were thrown down and severely cut. One case was
of a serious character. A lady, who refused to give
her name, fell upon the ice, and, as the " express
train" skaters were passing over the ice, the point
wf a skate entered her forehead, and laid it open.
The ice in most parts of the river is now 10 inches
in thickness, and even that portion where the un-
fortunate gentleman was drowned, is now seven
inches thick, but the tremendous fires made last
night on the ice has tended greatly to weakent it
in those places.
At ten o'clock last night a great number of
ladies undertook to skate a match, for a sum of
money, near the eastern end, but for what amount
could not be ascertained, but the prize was won by
a Dutch female, whose evolutions appeared to excite
the admiration of all spectators, including some of
the members of the Skating Club.
At the time announced for the closing of the
park gates, many thousand persons were still on
the ice, and great fears were entertained of its
safety. Mr. Young, the secretary, and Mr. Wil-
liams, the superintendent, had hot water baths
ready in case of an accident of a serious character
taking place, and Deputy-Superintendents Murphy
and Parsons, with Jenner, Green, and a number of
other icemen volunteered to remain during the
night at the Receiving-house, to assist in case their
services might be required. The police were of
great assistance to the Humane Society by clearing
away to some extent for the carriages to pass along
the drives, and, up to the time our Reporter left the
Receiving-house, no fatal accident had fortunately
occurred.
THE REGENT'S PARK.—Upwards of 6,000 per-
sons, including men, women, and children, dis-
ported themselves upon the ice in the ornamental
waters of this Park ; among the number were seve-
ral hundred ladies of the aristocracy and mem-
bers of the rifle corps. Fortunately no immersion
took place, but a gentleman named Edward Kean,
of 11, Mortimer-market,was tripped up by a skater
and received a severe cut on the head. He was re-
moved to the Royal Humane Society's tent, where
the injuries were dressed.
ST. JAMES'S PARK.--The ice on the ornamental
waters had about 3,000 sliders and skaters upon it
during the day. Several serious accidents occurred,
amongst which were the following : Richard
Francis, of 6, Monument-court, Charing-cross, broke
through the ice near the bridge, but was got out
by Joseph White, one of the Society's men. He was
taken to the hut and attended upon by Dr. M'Cann.
About 2 o'clock in the afternoon Mr. James Mel-
ville Felstead, of 25, Stafford-place South, also broke
through the ice, but was rescued by some courageous
strangers. About a quarter of an hour later Thos.
Casey broke through into the water, but was
rescued by iceman Benjamin Poovy. This sufferer
resided at 40, Parker-street, Drury-lane.
At a quarter to 3 o'clock, David Brennan, of 18,
Shoe-lane, Fleet-street, became stunned by being
tripped up on the ice. He was taken to the So-
ciety's tent and attended to by Dr. Weann.
At half-past 3 p.m., Elizabeth AMOTEOII, of Bel-
grave-mews, Belgrave-square, broke through the
ice near the centre of the river, and became im-
mersed. She was however rescued by iceman Parry,
and was enabled to return home after being attended
to by the Society's officers in the tent.

NATIONAL EMBLEM OF SCOTLAND.—When the
Danes from Englandinvaded Scotland, they availed them-
selves of the pitch darkness of night to attack the Scottish
forces unawares. In approaching the Scottish camp unob-
served, and marching barefoot to prove& their tramp being
heard, one of the Danes trod upon a large prickly thistle,
and the sharp cry of pain which he instinctively uttered
suddenly apprised. the Scots of their danger, who imme-
diately ran to their arms and defeated the foe with great
slaughter. The thistle was thenceforward adopted as the
national insignia of Scotland.

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