The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-10

THE INTEREST OF THE METROPOLIS IN THE Cow
FEDERACY.-Some idea Of the Importance of the
city of New York. and the preponderance of
her interes' in the prosperity of the whole
country, may be gathered from the figures of
the recent census for 1860. For instance, in
looking over the census tables, these curious
facts present themselves, and they are worthy
Of reflection
First. The city Of New York contains
larger free population than any one Southern
State Of the whole fifteen, excepting Virginia
and Missouri.
Second. 1t contains more population than
any one of twenty States, free and slave popu-
lation combined.
Third. 1t contains more free population than
any one of twenty-six States.
Fourth. 1t contains more population than
Delaware, Florida, Rhode Island, Oregon, Min
nesota and Kansas combined, including both
slave and free.
From these circumstances we iufer that the
Congressional representation Of this great city
is very disproportionate to the representation
of other cities and States. In the Senate, for
example, the six States Of Delaware, Florida,
Rhode Island, Oregon, Minnesota and Kansas,
with total population of only 100000, have
each two representatives, while the city of New
York with all its immense interests and nearly
600, 900 people, has in fact not one at ALL or at
best only portion of one, because the Senators
representing the State of New York are sent
by the Western country districts.
In the event of reconstruction Of the 60
vernment, then, it is to be expected that New
York city will be apportioned her fair quota Of
representatives in both houses Of Congress, COM
mensurate with her vast population and the i'm
portant interests she embodies within her limits.
A SKATING CARNIyAI1-PRINCEs AND POTEN-
TATEs ON THE ICE.-We see, by late arrivals
from Europe, that our Central Park skating
Juror is only feabite compared with the
grand carnival de glace in London and
Paris The London papers tell us that
no less than fifty thousand persons
lords and ladies. commoners and
costermongers-ha been seen skating on the
Serpentine at one time, and in Paris the de-
mand for skates is so great that the manu-
facturers cannot fill their orders. The EN-
peror, we are told, is every good skater"
and goes along slowly, stopping frequently to
contemplate the animated scene about him.
The Empress, not to be out of the fashion, has
made bold essay on the ice, dressed in q
"short skirt, woollen jacket and thick boots"
In skating, however, the Empress was obliged
to have the assistance of two gentlemen. The
Imperial party lunched upon the ice, sur
rounded by the whole Court-Ministers, Mar
shals, Senators, and even grave Judges There
seems to have been little or no formality about
the whole affair, the Imperial party taking
their chances among the skaters like common
folks. The palm seems to have been carried
off by American skaters-a lady from Boston
and gentleman from Philadelphia.
This is a capital idea, the momentary resig-
nation of official dignity for winter fr Ollie
among the people, and we recommend the ex
ample of the French Court to Honest Old
Abe and his minister's Why could not he get
up grand skating match on the Potomac
giving to the victors the spoils of Office? 1t
would save an immense deal Of trouble, and
our foreign ministers would be sure to have
at least one qualification for their posts, and
the secretaries would learn how to keep their
balance in the hard times they will have to go
through.