The New York herald., 1862-01-03
NEW YEARS DAY on TIE Ict:.

A Number OF Calls Made ON the tet-Ths
1ew Theatre for Ladies-Both Ponds
OPsn.S Great Crowd.
Agresably with the announcements made on wedne1-
day ornns, both ponds OF the Central Park were throw
open on New Years day for ss Of the skaters Soon
after dawn Laatan Renwick viNed the lower pond and
hosted the "Sas> ana Stripes" the signal that the es
could bo ussd after which walked to upper pond and
raised the colors, hauling down tho 81 culinary BAN
ner Of danger As the flag 20 the breeze
up the ball. and the signal al rightu Wa given,
TO tho JOY of those who had for soms time waited ady
equipped the platforms and steps the rereshmeAt
houses One who had made up his mind TO be ARA
on the ice, succeeded well, for his runners scarcely
touched slippery surface before very tender por-
tion of his body did likewise, to the small amusement
of the by sanders whom remarked that be thought
that stroke very good for the rst hour Of daylight u
1862"
The Ice not in very good condition. but every visit
or could the authorities had done their bos to render
pleasant possible for the skaters. theatre has
been the north end Of the pond for the especial
of the ladies, who can sit In this building and
watch the operations Of the skaters on the whole
of the upper pond and be at the time sheltered from
the northery winds. The building is about forty feet
long, and tod up with five OF seats arranged one
above other and capable Of holding in the aggregate
about hundred persons. This arrangement will be
much appreciated from the fact that during last season
the steps leading to the to observe the skaters
In consequence Of the thaw that set in yesterday morn
ing the upper pond had to be closed by O'Clock p Ms
t. danger but the lower pond skating was al
lowed till dark. Those who obliged TO leave the
former soon made their way TO the latter ana no small
fun was enjoyed.
There were no accidents throughout the day but one.
and that caused more amusement than pain boy.
lying full length on the ice, trying to mbbe somo o.
the liquid element through hole in the surface, when ne
made slip, and went farther into his drink than he in
tended No great harm done.
The number Of ysi,ers to the Park on New Years. day
was about fifty thousand, thousand Of whom were
spectators only tho rest boins Skaters The scene was
lively one. -
No spirits allowed to be sold the Park but should
any slip into the water and require the stimulant
keep the cold 1t can be procured outside the Park
The nearest place from the upper pond Will be by way u
the Seventy second street gate OF the Firth avenue
In consequence Of the tbaw there was no skating
speak OF any Of the suburban frozen lakes on New
Years day.
SKATING YEsTERDAY-BALL UP.
The Ice in the Central Park very good yesterday
Both ponds thrown open for visiters the ball wa
up and about thousand persons enjoyed the pleasure
Of skating. The wind worry high which would 90 an
advantage TO good skaters, many OF whcm we @ seen
scuddng undor poles before the blast The ladies'
however, did not apparently, like the breeze SO wen
gentlemen did, for but Jew were present forhaps
they were making calls. There will be (weather permit
tng) skating to-day on beth ponds and the bali wih
again be mounted aoft. The prospects now are osste
for q good skating season.