The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-01-07
THE DAY BOOK.
The Skating Carnival in New
Work


York.
The New Workers, for a week or two past,
have had gay time in skating on their mag
nifcent Central Park, hich has been adapt
ed as well for winter sports as summer rec
reation and amusement. The Express thus
sketches some of the scenes:
THE SCENE on SATURDAY.
There were frem ten to fifteen thousand
persons who visited the ponds during the
day, an unusual number of whom We're ladies,
some from Boston, and many Of them excel
lentSkaters, but not equal to our fair friends
who visited us last winter. The large pond
had at one time on it abeut three thousand
whilst on the small pond about three hun
Gred ladies were on it during the day. To-
wards night and during the daylight, many
fancy skaters made their appearance on the
large pond accompanied by their lady
friends. One party occupied ten carriages,
and during the coming bright moonlight
nights, it will , no doubt, become quite fash
ionable for large parties of ladies and gentle
men to amuse themselves for two or three
hours in social skating excursions, during
which much progress can be obtained by
those ladies who desire to learn to skate, but
who cannot conveniently get the escort of
hours Of business, more especially since the
liberal accommodation provided for them in
the shape of huts and fires by the Central
Park authorities, and the perfect sateness of
the ice. The entire immunity from any an
noyance or intrusion, under the excellent
police arrangements, is another incentive
for these night excursions.
THE SCENE ON SUNDAY.
The character of the day seemed to be no
drawback to the crowds. Numbers of Wis
itors began to gather early In the forenoon,
and the throng on the pond continued to in
crease until two O'Clock in the afternoon,
there could not have been less than ten thou
sand persons at the lake at one time. Be-
sides these there were crowds in the various
huts around the borders, and manv were
gathered on the embankment, looking at the
ice of the ladies' pond, which was dotted by
very few sliders, the ladies seeming to have
more regard for the day than the men. The
working were enjoying themselves hugely
Dung ireland and Old Germany being
greatly in the ascendancy, while the fraus
and frauleins were quite numerous. One of
the usual features of tine lake-the curriers',
who, being Scotchmen, are strict moral
men, and attend kirk-was wanting, but
their place was TILED by the additional mum
bers of skaters. Although there were fewer
visitors on the park than on the Monday fol
lowing Christmas 0orty thousand on Sun
day to one hundred thousand on the Monday
preceding) there were more on the ice than
at any time.
FANCY SKATERS.
More than the usual number of fancy ska
tiers were on the ice, and by their evoutions
attracted considerable attention. The best
OF these acquire very enviable notoriety
for skill, and receive distinctive names in
lieu of their own from the admiring crowd.
Thus ''The Frenchman," Blue Shirt" "The
Jerseyman," "Long Whisk ers," &C., serve to
designate Messrs. humphrey, Ingles, and
others of the most export. The numbers
that followed young Haines became so dan
gerous to the ice, that he at one time was
compelled to seek refuge on the shore.
AT various points and around the lake are
stands at which skates may be hired at the
rate of ten cents per hour, a reduction on
last seasons prices Besides these private
places Of refuge from the cold, there has al
ready been erected what is called ''hut -
this is placed at the southwestern part OF
the lake, aHd is greatly liked by those who
frequent the Park, and especially the ska
ters. Two more will soon be built at other
points, and with many seats that will be
placed about the edges, the equipments will
be almost complete. The cabin on the ladies'
pond is to be exclusively for the ladies, and
no intruders will be permitted. The arrange
ments have been all made with the direct
object Of discouraging the bystanders from
remaining any length of time, and thus in
duce all to come and learn without having
their lnodesty put to the slightest blEsh by
the laughter which attends the ia II OF every
one-lady or no lady.
ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS.
Notwithstanding the great number on the
ice at one time, very few accidents occurred.
While crowds would ather around the fan
cy skaters, the warning cracking OF the ice
would create a momentary scattering Of the
spectators, who, however, would quickly
gather again at the least excitement.
JOHN BROWN AMONG THE SKATERS.
Late in the afternoon venerable looking
gentleman OF color made his appearance on
the pond arrayed in drab coat and huge
sealskin cap he attracted much notice and
was speedily surrounded by a crowd of mis-
chievous persons, who hailed him as ''John
Brown" AT this he waXed very indignant,
and repealed the insinuation against his
principles. One of his tormentors having
been arrested, the crowd soon dispersed, and
the sealskin cap departed.
Jerome Bonoporto at tie Point Of Deoth.
ID