The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-22
sResghfng and skating ut the Central


Park.
yNE TEAMS, MUD sLUsH, RCBBER BOOTS AND
BALMoRALs.
The Central Park and its skating ponds have become
'hsututions OF New York, and their condition and ap
pearance must needs be regularly reported But We
really could the necessity Of visiting the Park upon
sash day yesterday and laughed in sleeve when
ibid 10 report upon the sleighing and skating. Such
report spprehended, would be rs brief and as in
srssng the celebrated chapter upon the snakes Of
Iceland Judging from the mud the sush and the water
which made down town streets almost impossible, and
sn the continual drip drip, dripping down the cutters
upon the heads Of psssers by, thought that We
should find but little seghng skating at the Central
Park, elsewhere in ths vicinity. But the editor said
&0o and We initiated the soldiers Of the ancient Roman
scnturton, and went
Supported by two policemen three ladies' and four boys.
nd down by the usual stage horses, handled
BY the usual careful drivers which usually manage 70 keep
directly the way Of those who wish 10 cross at last
reached the further shore Of that black Broadway
md happy at good fortune proceeded without adven
sarc 70 the Park The sleghng, both in the Park and
upon the Boomin gdae road was much cut up and worn
suh The bright sun had looked the snow quite out OF
sountenance and although both the Park and the road
crowded with equpages the carriages almost equal
Ned the slcghs in number, and surpassed them In CON-
fort and appropriateness Of appearance The turnout was
very dne comprised the usual extremes Of After
the road In the Park dirt camphene and
grocery wagons numerous and contrased singular
ly with the snowy carriages Of the upper tendon.
The "balv not cup except in the avenue cars
and we we're apprsed therefore, that the skating pond
was not in the best condition; but the white penuon
wss flying and we determined to visit the pond for
selves Down town have 10 depend upon the "give-
ea penny" street boys for clean cross walks even but
IN the Central Park yesterday We found the snow
cleared away and the walks comparatively dry
and mudess. This Was almost the only Attrac-
tive feature about the Ranblc except the police
nen, who, in their gray uniforms and white gloves,
models Of neaness and politeness The duness OF
me long walk TO the pond was varied by the peras OF
such wayside literature as At present Walters not
considering that the grass under several feet OF
end TO- probably, under the ground also. The Park has
now ssSo as Seay a Hna rs 0x Is
nothing but snow and stones with passing sleigh for an
seasonal relief
decloscs most attractive scene It Is not necessary TO
describe the position or the surroundings Of the pond for
what with the brightest Of suns, the number OF ladies
presen, in variooiored dresses, and the surprise 1t
seeing so many people ,h there upon 30 Gprom,s
spirited, animated and agreeable. The ice was very
son and cracky, yet Notwithstanding this, We found
shird of whom were ladies. How many ladies would
have thus veutured out in the mud and sush year ago
certainly accomplishing great deal In this regard and
viii with the aid OF the Bamoras eventually make pc
dcsriansm fashionable. One or two hundred eQuipages
uged the shores Of the ponds and added 70 their say
appearance.
We were fortunate enough 70 stand by group OF per-
Sons who had never been at the pond before and VIC
thus enabled 10 first impression Of the
skating any wishes 70 know what the skating pond
really Is and what IL looks like, let him imagine the
phheacal pond, with It's fringe Of seghs It's tepts with
their bright flags and the crowds Of skaters. Yondor
SWEEPS by lady reclining indoenty Ia an arm chair,
which devoted friend nrging from behind bending to
MS work until he seems to have adopted the style Of that
young chairman who was prosecuted into notoriey
pared 70 q bafering ram, aud otherwise abused in
Dickens "Dombey and son" Here a gentlemen
msruc'ns ga , my yro "a and, Just SeyGna,
sthe blind leading the blind, both fall together upon TIE
ice and their Two three ladies and genteme0
accomplished skaters ali-gtide easily by arm in arm.
grotesque gymnast makes attempt to stand upon
hs more, but without any very great success Another,
hrkated apparently at this, makes effort at rival
es into the air ike twin liberty poles In the foreground
Interested tight ropist seems 70 be attempting keep
his balance upon mathematical line. gentleman
skates along IN scientific style, aud attracts considerable
attention account OF his graceful movements but trips
Sver h skate strap, and encounters sudden downfall Of
himself and hm dignity. Far beyond. where there y .
great crowd aud slight cracking the ice celebrated
skater performing various fcah which excite the
.nou on the boys, and astcaish the fair nightly
snc po,os0'hss s compare men 70 dogs, snd z this
. splendid "setler." He ssems Is deItrS, n
sttsing down, and keeps the small boys arcur
Bal as which the individual referred 70 would s,oi
around from his iceberg hike polar bear or would loo
ever his shoulder with the dscopsoste exprcson on An
nAAn bandit (sa the German theare) taking his farewell
glance 81 the home Of his childhood
And 30 one can sit for hours and be amused with the
Skating indivduartes which surround him Coteres s,
ayound upen benches and talk skating, at race all
tak horse while around them gather tyres students and
experts the Art Of skating spreading themselves,
I'D others spreading eagles; some eutuog names, and