Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-03-27
Umncri.l Skat,upiu Paris.

\ lady correspondent to the Mac-a- Cheek
Press, in recent letter from Paris, gives the
following description of a skating party to which
she was invited:
Skating is all the rage, YOU know, in Europe,
and the Parisians have used il, as they do every
thing-in the most charming manner. The win
ter is very favorable, having been so very cold.
The party had an invitation "A little ar
tificial lake, made over meadow in the midst
of wood, and all enclosed, so that cards OF in
vitation were issued. Through the courtesy of
Mr.. Faulkner, our Minister, We we're all invitell
When we arrived on the ground-what blunder.
| mean the ice-the scene presented is quite be
vond my power OF description. The tall trees
surrounding the lake stood each one like gigan-
tic candelabra, holding its hundreds of many
tinted lights. Stands upon the ice were erected,
and shone gorgeous in colored flame, fire works
on every side made the ice glitter, while the ex
quisit music made of the whole a fairy scene.
| hasteGed on with my skates, for | had not
learned the art for nothing. For you must know
that although the ice was covered with people,
good skaters were Skating is not thing
that comes by inspiration, as you and /, recollec
ting our sore bones, can well testify. An expert
skater created Il sensation, especially lady. |
can skate, and on this occasion proud OF my
accomplishments. | darted off, feeling perfectly
through the gruops of astonished people, fol
lowed by-,who was not SO easy on runners.
had not been long at this before was Joined
by an ugly little fellow with big nose and huge
moustache, waxed into two horns that actually
made him look hideous. Besides this he skated
awkwardy, with a conceit in it that made him
anything but fascinating The manner in which
he skated by my side and looked at and expressed
his admiration of my skating mlde me think him
INN / oksi md md tn
der my companion had his cap of with All humble
deierential expression in has face really aughable.
| did not laugh, however, for he came close to
me and said IN an undertOne that's the En-
peror" Will you believe it, had been such
goose as to suppose that all the attention and ad-
mratiOn exhibited on every side due TO my
graceful performances. The fact was. my com
panioR might have taken all this to himself.
| took better look at this renowned person.
age, and was struck with his very remarkable ap-
pelrance. You will laugh at me, am sure. but
this impromptu companion of mine appeared to
me, after | come to know him better, one of the
most striking men | ever saw. You remember
how handsome we considered young Booth in
Richard the Third. with his crooked legs and
bumped back. In the same way think the En-
peror handsome. | can not explain this, but you
will understand il.
This discovery ruined my skating. ] was
really embarrassed. and IN trying to ove.come 1t,
made matters worse. In attempting 20 run
around "sledge" with n lady in il, caught INV
foot in the side of il, and fell over on the ice;
spraining my ankle, and getting jolt that
thought had killed me. The Emperor flew 10 nv
assistance, and the lady of the "sledge" stepped
hastily out and assisted me 20 rise. | could not
stand, and indeed nearly tainted from the exces-
sive pain was suffering; | was helped into this
sledge, too dizzy and i'll to know what was going
on, although | heard many kind exclamatons
from the crowd around me. learned afterwards
that the lady who offered her assistance was the
Empress. and ] suppose ! ought 20 suffer this
pain and confinement at home cheerfully after
having had the honor of skating with the Empe-
ror and being assisted by the Empress.
The Only sorrow ] have is, that did not get
better look at the Empress herself. i am told
that on this occasion she appeared positively
radiant in a blue pelisse trimmed with ermine,
and a most bewitching blue velvet cap encircled
by white plume.