The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-11
WINTER SPOR s.



ready for early day, when those Of czens
Of both sexes, who lnd pleasure in this hcaa and in
vgoratng exercise may enjoy themselves 70 tsr hearts
content. u is understood that, the Croton
Board intimate their readiness TO furnish supply Of
water the only obstacle TO the work Of flooding the pond
will have been removed. II generally believed that
the Board would take action the matter yesterday and
that the inundation would have been commenced last
night. Should the Croton Board refuse 10 supply the
water, then the Commissioners will be obliged to rely
the drainage Of the park which would necessarily take
long time to ill the pond, for reporter who visited
the park yesterday, could not detect the least sign Of
water flowing in although told that the gates (dranage)
bad then been open for over three hours. For some
days back a number Of laborers have been engaged
in removing all the loose stoncs rubbish, &C., which
have been lying on the floor Of the pond, aud in
giving finished appearance TO its tout ensemble,
which, in consequence OF the Unexpectedly early setting
in Of the winter, ii to be regretted must be left for the
present season in unfinished state. The rules for
the guidance Of skating and other arrangements will DO
virtually the last year. Hydrants placed all
around the pond, that the entire surface may bo
covered with inch two of every night, and
thus present each morning coat Of ice without cut
Policemen will be always on hand TO give
sistance In the ice should happen to break but
must be remembered that, should such accident
occur the pond only four feet deep, and consequently
would be unattended with any serious consequences
Yesterday being holiday at the schools, numbers Of
boys repaired to the Park hoping to find everything in
readiness for skate, but obliged to wend their way
homewards sadly disappointed, doubt, and content
themselves with gutter slide for the present The pond
Of about forty acres including the ladies'
pond adjoining ard in tie immediate vicinity Of that
much favored spot, the "RaMbteo II must certainly
bee "tbe' feature OF the Park this winter.
Skating is hahy exhiaratng and healthfu ont of door
pasme in winter when rivers apd ponds are frozen and
offer clear surface Of The art Of skating CONSISTS in
pNisDg the body sharp ridge OF iron beneath the sole
Of the foot and advancing the ice in thai position,
Port any mass of matter kept IN notion skating Is by
means dG,cult art, and requires only courage cack-
nesa Of eye aud decacy Of taste TO render the perform
apce elegant.
ska,c is well known apparatus Of wood and iron,
with straps and buckles 10 attach to the foot The skate
for each foot be Ike The should not be deeper
than three quarters Of an nch and smooth fat along
under edec only boys skates shoad bc grooved 70 ake
becr noln VI the ce The IRON should DC quarter OF an
inch thick The edges should be smooth, free from rust
and sharply ground.
PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR SKATING.
We beg to oer the following directions 70 the young
skats chiefly from the WORK Of Mr.. Walker
Very rough ice should be avoided.
The person who for the first tine attempts to skate
must not trust 10 stick He may make a friends han
his support he require one but that should
Dquisbed, in order 10 balance himself He will proba
big scramble about for hair an hour or So till he b. ,ns
10 find where the c6gc OF bis skate is The beginner
must be fearless, but not Violent in hurry He
should not let bis feet get far apart and keep his heels still
nearer together He must keep the ance Of the foot
the ice quite trp net attempting gain the edge Of the
skate by bending 1t, because the right mode o getting
either edge s by the inclination of the whole body in the
direction required and this inclination should be made
fearlessly and decisively.
The leg which is the ice should be kept perfectly
straight Tor though the kuee must be what bent at
the lime Of striking, 1t must be Strengthened quickly
as possible, without jerk. The leg which is of the
ice should be kept straight though not stiff having
nd
the heel within from six 10 twelve inches of the other
The learner must not look down atthe ice, nor his
feet to see how they perform He may at first incline
his bocy little forward for safety but hold his head up
and see where he goes his person erect and his face
rather elevated than otherwise.
When of he bring both feet up together and
strike again, be finds himself steady enough
rarely allowing both feet 10 be the ice together Tue
position OF the arms should be easy and varied,
being always raised than the other-this elevation
being alternate and the change corresponding with
OF the legs that is the right being raised the
right leg is put down and rice ersa so that the arm and
leg OF the same side may not be raised together.
The face must be always turned in the direction Of the
line intended 10 be described. Hence, in back ward
skating the head will be inclined much the shoulders
in forward skating but slightly. All sudden and violent
slightly bending the knees, drawing the feet together
cning the body forward and pressing the heels II
may also be caused by turning short to the right or left
the foot the side TO which turn being rather
advanced, and supporting part of the weight
The first attempt Of the beginner is to walk and this
walk shortly becomes sliding gait done entirely the
inside edge of the skate.
The frat impulse is to be gained by pressing the inside
edge Of one skate against the ce and advancing with the
opposite foot. To effect this the BEGINNER bring
the feet nearly together the left somewhat OUT place
the right little in advance and at right angles with it,
lean forward with the right shoulder, ct the time
the right foot 0nwards and press sharply strike
the with the inside edge Of the left skate, care being
Esn S inst INSANITY 70 throw ,s the weight on the right oo
nearly to level with the other and may for the present
proceed short way:on both.
He must next place the left foot In advance in its turn
bring the left shoulder forward, ncnng that side,
strike from the inside edge of the right skate and pro
coed as bef IRE.
Finally this motion has only TO be repeated on each
foot alternately gradually keeping the foot from which he
struck longer off the ice till he has gained sufficient
mand Of himself to keep of altogether, and s able
strike directly from TO the other without any
having them both the ice together. This must be
power and command Of his balance Thus accomplished
in the rudments OF the art the skater may proceed
to learn the forward roll, which is the first step TO figure
skating The impulse s gained in the for
the ordinary rum but get the outside edge of the
right COT, the moment that loot Is in motion the skater
the left shoulder throw the right arm back
look the right shoulder incline the whole person
bodily and decsvey that side keeping the lett foot
pended behind AS he proceeds he bring the left
loot past the inside of the right with slight jerk, which
produces an opposing balance OF the body the right foot
must quickly PRESS first the outside Of the heel then
the inside or s the LETT foot must be placed down in
front before is removed more than about eight
inches from the other foot; and by striking outside
10 the left, giving at the same moment strong push
with the inside OF the right toe the skater passes from
right TO left, ncning to the left side in the
he DID ~ the right. then continues to change from
left TO right and from right to lett, the
Al first he should not remain long upon leg,
Pile occasionally to put the other TO assist and
throughout he must keep himself erect leaning most
the heel
Having attained this proficiency, there will be little diff
Gully in describing arg figure formed by combination
OF circles or semcirces The figure is favorite among
clever skaters and also the figure both for ward and
reversed.
Shaking on ice Of doubtful strength accompanied with
great danger as in instant the skater may find himself
sunk TO the neck In water, and be drowned before
sstance can be rendered Much Of this danger may be
obvaied by wearing safety cape which is loose cape
inflated with air, the invention Of member Of the En-
burg Skating Club We recommend every skater TO use
by all means cape ofhs kind while pursuing his
ment on the ice.
Domestic News Items.
Gotp IN ISpfASA.Gold dggings have been discovered
In Brown county, Indiana, which said 10 pay from
81 90 to $5 per day.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES A re.
solution has been adopted hY the legislature of ,xaa 10