The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-15
Skating Under Difficulties.

A STUPID AND DANGEROUS HoAx-TnE MErRoPoLI-
TANs "soLD"-sSow VERSUS ICE--LADIEs' ARDOR
NOT DAMPED BY THE SNOW, ETC.. ETC.
g What is mans meat is another mans poison. :,
50 proved yesterday; for although the heavy fall
Of will if not spoiled by softer change, be great
help to the sleghing community did anything but help
the skaters But notwithstanding all the disadvantages
arising from such cause, five thousand persons
visited the pond during the day. although scarcely
Numbers came in the morning skated till dinner time,
and then left for the day. while others took their places
the afternoon and skaed till dusk Several ladies' who
were the ice before the began to fall seemed de-
termined not to be driven from it, and having wells
their faces to keep the snow from them, skated and fell
and sksted again, although their threw up the
snow in miniature shower ever stroke they made.
Miss Britain, from Salem, made quite sensation in
waltzng, &c. during the heaviest part OF the storm
THE M. P.s SOLD.
Shortly before four O'Clock yesterday afternoon the
peaceabe skaters surprised ut seeing number Of
bluecoaed shiny topped Metropolitan policemen rushing
the pond from almost every direction and inquiry
being made Of them as to the cause they said that state
ment had been left at each individual uptown station
house that the ice the pond had given way and about
fifty people drowned They had therefore to the
Park to render what assistance they could Now this
very good fun to deceive the sharp officers, and
there was no cause for their services laugh at them
can perhaps be afforded. But there is old fable Of the
shepherd boy and the wolff which might be read with
profit by such practical jokers for If the assistance Of
scarcely be expected they would travel milo TO be,
as they would think, again sod." Thus, what might
now be considered as good joke may really be very
dangerous TO the cause of humanity.
sLEIGHING. .
large number of sleghs aud cutters were TO be
the drive during the whole Of the storm, and many of
Inconvenience felt for the want OF shelter for the
horses tho nearest stable Is situated at the White
skate many Of them did not like TO leave their horses
standing 10 The Storm
For the accommodation OF those who may own cut
ters and n those vehicles not to be hired within
any reasonable distance application has been made for
the privilege OF letting cutters within the limits of the
Park which privilege is expected to be accorded to the
applicant Doubtless this WILL under proper restrictions,
be found to be a boon TO the public
SKATING.
II has been asceraincd from the books kept by the
keepers Of the skate tents that sunday eleven
hundred pairs OF skates Let out during the day. and
nearly two hundred sliding chairs very useful article
ankle brace which Is fastened 10 the skate by plate
secured by the heel metal bar passing up the
outside Il the leg fastening around the calf by
OF broad webbing straps and buckles These braces
be easily attached 10 any ordinary skate, aud may be
found very beneficial to noyices especially females, and
to be had for hire at the tents on the pond.
Tn consequei Of the heavy storm the pond
no; illuminated last night although Professor Grant and
n son Mere on the ground In ao. a. fifteen MINUTES
and three Of those were officers calcium lights were
scarcely needed.
II was Yesterday rumored that tho Philadelphia Club
would pa te the ice to-day IL the weather permitted
accompanied by the President OF the Cub and
several expert skaters from this and the ncghboring
cities.
THE SNOW.
very large gang OF men employed in keeping the
ice clean, ana when any heavy fail &C the
expense of this work Is somewhat considerable. The
cost OF removing the snow on the last OCCASION
hundred and forty dollars, aud last nights work may
exceed this The daily OF this work ranges
from s26 TO $50 To keep the walks OF the Park
decent order employs large force OF men, and entails
considerable cost From the appearance OF the Park
night the men will have enough TO do to make II III for
.lsiters to-day.