St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-12-22


ence between large or small cir.
Gle.
The 3 is the skaters great reservoir
OF power. Whenever he finds himself
IN want of little more impetus, he
cuts a 3, and by bearing little fol-
ward at the twist, gains enough power
for very large figure.
In learning the Back Cross Roll,
the skater need not start with any i'm
petus at all. Let him merely stand
still, place the left outside edge well
into the ice, lean slightly upon that
side, and gently swing the other foot
rvu''d, until ~ h..s crossed tho loft foot
and is planted with its outside edge on
the ice.
The left foot is then crossed behind
the right, and it will be found that the
mere swing Of the foot and leg is suf-
ticiently powerful to urge the skater
backwards.
The greatest care should be taken
to avoid too great an impetus at start
ing, and in q short time the skater
will find himself able to glide over the
ice in this manner with perfect ease.
There is rather neat adaptation of
the Back Cross-Roll.
Two skaters stand opposite each
other and hold hands. They then be-
gin to start on the Cross.Roll, one 60
ing backwards and the other forwards.
Both, of course, must keep the most
exact time, and tolerably large piece
Of ice is required for them to display
themselves to advantage.
The perfection of the Back Cross
Rool is exhibited when a skater can
cut the figure eight on the outside
edge backwards, keeping his knees
straight and his hands quiet.
SPREAD EAGLE.
The hcraldic bird from whose CON
tour this figure derives its name, is
anything but graceful in aspect. Nor
docs the ice figure redeem its charac-
ter
But as the accomplishment Of the
figure is thought necessary 10y most
good skaters, | jnst mention it here.
In this figure the two heels are
placed nearly close together, or at all
events in the same line, and the skates
turned in exactly opposite directions,
so that one skate goes forward and
the other backward
The attitude that is assumed by the
skater while performing this manpu-
yer is might ly like that of the spread
eagles on our armOrial bearings.
y In this E,r,rn thn a
the skater are 70 be bent at right an,
giles.
The usual mode Of spreading the
s3md td ia dSkatt" kaae t"5aYar49n ANA 49nseR nseaRpddaKa SdaKaG GG
ly TO spring into position.
The line Of direction must be very
accurately taken and the weight
thrown rather on the back foot, or the
skater will make series of awkward
plungcs, something like those of an
Unbalanced kite, instead of gliding
forward easily and quietly.
If he likes he may complete large
circle, by allowing the toes to come !,
little forward, and leaning upon the
inside edges.
But if he wishes to accomplish n
great feat, and astonish the natives
very much, he may do so by pressing
the toes still further outward, and
throwing himself upon the two out
side edges. In this position the circle
will be just the reverse Of the other.
ICE wALrzlNG.
If neatly done, this is very pretty
figure, and of course requires two per.
sons. If they can be lady and gen
tleman SO much the better if not
one must enact the lady as well as he
can.
The waltz-stcp is performed by cut.
ting very small 3, and, instead OF
coming round on the inside edge, fin.
isling the twist on the outside edge
of the other skate. Exact step is re,
luired, or down go both parties.
THE ouApRILLE
When four good skaters get togcth-
or, they generally manage quadrille,
which, ii well danced, is about the
most attractive of all the figures.
One is appointed leader, and he
gives notice Of the many changes OF
step, just as the leader Of peal ol
bells gives notice of their changes.
The figure that is cut in the ice is
f composed Of five circles, one in the
center, and the four others ranged
, cross-wise on its outside.
Each skater stands at the furthest
extremity of one Of the outside cir.
clcs and when the leader gives the
word, all start at once with the Eight
| step.
, They thus approach each other, ant
as the central circle forms the top o
5 an Eight common to all, it follows
+ that all four skaters are going roun,
: this circle at the same time.
When they have gone round thei
circles several times, the leader call
t the next change.
This time, instead of simply max
their s, the skaters cut Il 3 when the,
come to the center circle, and so g,
e round it backward
Next change brings them backward
on the outside edge, done by rapid,
J changing feet as the is formed.
l There are innumcrablc steps in this
i very pretty picture, which is almost
k as variable as a cotiIion, which name
h would be quite as applicable as that
:, Of quadrllc.
t 1t is beautiful sight to see the
dancers simultaneously approaching
G one point, all rapidly following eacl
0 other round a little circle, with only a
v foot OF two between each person
then diverging upon their several
e tracks, and again meeting in the cen
ter.
, Let the reader believe one who car
: speak from experience, and under
, stand that any amount of labor anc
a perseverance will be well spent, if b,
is only qualified to join in such CO
5 tillion, or even to perfectly appreciate