The New York herald., 1861-12-08

the time keeping tho head up, TO avoid tho
backward fall. They should always keep their face In
the direction 10 be followed" To enable them 10 stop
when In motion, he says, "Bend tho knees, draw the
heels together and bear on them turn short
70 the right or left and advance the inside
foot to bear It's share Of the weight OF the body"
The arms should be used countcrpoises the legs,
and as one s the other retreats The only
70 DO raised In proportion 10 tho inclination OF the body
All skating movements to be smooth and free from jerks
the work contains several columns Of excellent matter
on this subject gentleman Of the Edinburg Skating
CiuD gives the following adviceIh0se who wish to DO
proncicnts should begin at an carly period Of e, and
ondeavor TO throw OIL tho fear which always attends the
W so ae S
When they have done this they must endcavor acquire
the movement on the outside Of the skates which is
nothing moro than throwing themselves the ontor
edge Of the skates and making the balance Of thor body
tend towards that side. This will necessarily enable
them % form scmcircc In this much assistance may
be derived from placing bag Of lead shot In the pocket
next to the foot employed in making the outside stroke
which will produce artificial poisc Of tho body which
afterwards will become natural by practice. At the
commencement Of tho outside stroke the kneo OF
the employed limb should be n little bonded, ana
gradually brought TO rcctilinear position when the
stroke Is completed. When the practitioner becoVes
expert In forming the semcirce with both feet,
ho then to join them together and proceed progressive
y and alternately with both feet, which will carry him
forward with q graceful movement. Care should bo
taken to very little muscular exeron. for the i'm
pellng motion should proceed from the mechanical i'm
pulse of tho body thrown into such position regu-
late the stroke AT ng the outside stroke tho body
ought to be thrown forward easily the unemployed limb
kept direct with tho body and the aco and eyes
directly looking forwards the unemployed foot ought 70
be stretched towards the ice, with tho toes In dect
line with the log. In the time Of making the the
body must be gradually and almost impercepbly raised
and tho unemployed limb brought In tho manner
forward that at finishing the curve the body will bend
small degree backward, and the unemployed foot will
be about two inches before the other ready to embrace
the ice and form correspondent There should be
jerks IN the motion" Tho management Of the arms
likewise deserves attention The most graceful method
10 n tha hon in vuHiA
use muif Routedges sixpenny handbook on skating,
gives among cutting figures on the ice the
following rules for
PUTTING ON SKATES.
1.-THE holes being properly made" (Which, by Che way,
had better be done before the learner leaves home step
ping the orces with fatty substa nee, To exclude the
dirt in waking), "tho screws introduced and tho
skates placed straight along the feet The little spikes at
tho front should be well pressed into the sole Of the boot
and the straps drawn just tight enough To fix the skate
firmly without cramping the foot Tho ends Of the straps
must be carefully tucked away, if they become iooso,
they apt to get under the skate aud throw tho wcarcr
If too long let the superuous portion be cut or In case
Of broken strap it is well TO have spare strap in
the pocket There should not be too many straps the
skates the fewer the BETTER they stop the circulation
Of the blood in the foot
GETTING ON TO THE ICE
possible the skates should be put while the
l. sitting spot where his feet ovcrhang the
ice II this cannot be, he should wax fairly the ice,
and knocl on one knee while he fixes the skate the
opposite foot. A small impulse viii then put him on his
feet, whore no VIII not lud il oasy 10 remain. The
Of chairs pointed sticks should be avoid
ed, as giving the learner false confidence, as
well as an awkward attitude at the onlmcncanout,
which takes great length Of time TO from It
at an At this period the learner finds great difficulty
keeping his feet together Generally one loot Slides
10 tho right and the other to tho lef and down .ny r-
tcman goes Bat, Lot dshcartcncd, he gets ~ by
kneeng On one knee, and trios again Ha next tries
walking but To walk on skates and Is dih,c Ill, s
IL the ice, and Of tho beginner
goes Ife does not hurt himself tholg-yh, ever heard
OF learner hurting hmsef at the II - beginning? Pre-
esteroas idea ana OF course he pcrscveres o next
learns
START,
By standing in the third position in dancing with he
right heel in the hollow Of the ett foot rght angles
Tho learner places his weight tho right foot and
ut the time presses the inside edge Of left foot
into the ice push given by the lef, loot which is i'm
mcdiaely taken oil the ice and brought parallel with It's
fellow sends the skater forward few feet. The game
Thing Is repeated with the left FOOT and alternately
until the skater able to get along athorph very clmsi
and with his hands dying about but still getting on After
a short time he might begin /" skating backwards and
cutting figures, rules for which be found in the
handpooks skating.
CLOTHING OF SKATERS
Should bo coso and warm, but not cumbersome If ad
dtonal clothing s required lot be beneath rather than
the regular attire Above all things skaters should
flannel next their skin, as the exercise promotes
perspra,on and the body likely chill by standing
walking after the active employment. laced boots
the best they keep tho foot in good order aud
also keep the skate on moro .mly No tightening Of the
straps is half so beneficial as "a nicely fitting boot
IN THE EvENT OF BREAHING.
To avoid the risk Of immersion skaters should always
look out for and beware Of rottcn ce if they acci.
it rapidly possible II they should fall in consa-
qusnce of the ice giving way beneath th, they should
crawl from the spot on thor hands and knees
distribute their weight as much possible II they
should fall through lot each extend his arms acre as
tho hole and tread the wate-that strike out with his
feet in perpendicular drection-unt assistance should
come TO them. Above all things do attempt to get
out without aid the only result would be the greater
fracture Of the ice, causing tho unfortunate party be
let urther into his difficulty In the Central Park proper
appliances arc kept to rescue persons thus meeting with
accidents