The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1844-11-02

which they are enabled 10 display ell
their natural strength and grace. This
.xcI,ing and dangerous sport is mosl
common upon The Csnsl dc L Ourcy,
ma the Basin de la Vllette. Thous-
'nds upon thousands Of spectators cover
he shore, encouraging by their excls
nations The audaciiy of the skaters
Some push along in sleds, The most fash.
onable ladies, who give themselves up
entirely to this passing amusement -
Others, with skill and address, with 3
single effort, design, on the ice, either
figure, or the loved flower OF the lady
Of their thoughts. ln gazing on tins
lively scene, it might almos, be imagn-
ed that the celebrated Russian ieles upon
he Nevs, in the depth Of wirler, were
passing before US.
But the ice in these northern coun.
rles is more firm than it is 10 our eli.
mate, and accidents more rarely occur
there. In The course Of the winter, after
he burning Of the house Of baron Des.
I lcarville,a very remarkable event occur
+ red on The Canal de I Ourcy. A num-
oer ofyonng men belonging TO The mos,
? islnSulshed families were as.embIed
: At 3 breakfast given by the vanquished
. skater. to rivals in some Of their games.
In this happy repast shouts of ellghl
were irt quenlIy mingled wilk the deto-
: ns'on ot The opening champagne bot.
d ties, The spal king liquor of which ten.
l, led 10 heat, still more, the reckless
neads Of Ihe young convivislis,s. The
: feast terminated, they returned 10 the
/, Canal aud each one, mounted upon his
is skates, gave way to The promp'ngs oi
!. ~ imagination excited by the numerou,
IL toas,s which had been drank. Afer q
'd thousand feats of strength and address,
:! three Of tie most excited joined hand
e md engaged 10 execute, correctly, III,
IS, steps Of gslopade which was, then
k fashionable in all the saloons. The
performed, indeed, the attitudes an
II ,fmcfans of The most skilFnl dancers; bt
z tNthe. .5moment when the three lorme
&c. , citcle lhe ice Suddenly broke, and i
r. he twinkling ofsn eye, they were a
- buried under the thick crust which COY
IL red the SUFFICE of the Canal. The mo-
ec 1earl-' ending cries burst from Tho spec
! ts'ors. John -, the fireman, wa
e strotling about at short distance fror
al he scene of The disaster, and, alway
n. eady 10 respond to the cry of distress
- rushed TO the spot; and enquired III
h, cause Of the alarm, o. being told {
| he unoilar, ton koI D.
nG threw Of his heavier clothing, and plu
e ed into the opening through which tn
Unfortunate young men had passed. a.
.e. The risk of This attempt may be cdsil
Of conceived, when il is remembered III;
~ this hole of red The only means Of
gress from under the Ice which covere
u, he Canal. In about half minute,
NJ made his appearance again, bearing i
~ his arms one Of the young men. II
pit tdeposted him upon the shore, givn
d him into the care Of The spectators, an
ol again precipItsted himself into the guI
CT happy 10 have been instrumental in sa
n ing one of the three victims. Some ir
II, 'anlS elapsed, and nothing was seen G
ne him, but al last he re appeared, alone
h, saying ,ha, he was unable 10 find an
O one.
ut There are two more,' was shoute
n on sll sides
it, He plunged 10 for The third time an
" returned with the second skater, motto
IL less and insensble. After havlng de
posted him in the arms Of those VIII
I'd we're Standing round, he plunged inl
10 he hole fourth time, remained uude
" water az long as he was able but appear
- ID, al las', with emp'y hands. His cou
.h tensnce was depressed, and he sufere
OF so much from the cold that he was una
2, D!s 10 utter a word.
,d 'Oh! our saviour,' cried the youn
O. man he had hrst saved, do no, sbando
IN our dear comrade he belongs TO an no
,e orable and opulsn, family which Wi
r. recompense you as you deserve 10 be. =
Il is young officer Of The royal guard
The son OF baron Descsrville.'
- 'DescarvIlle exclaimed Joseph, wit.
. 4 cnnvulsive movement.
i Yes, the rich purveyor who lives i
y he lauborg Poissonniere.'
s 'Oh ! ! RENE mber,' replied The fire
,e man; he once accused me Of hsvin
!, stolen his pocket book, but ] forge
,t all that when humanity demands m
IT.. exerlipns.'
Y :. He plunged into the canal again an