The New York herald., 1862-02-09
THE GREAT LOCAL EXCITEMENT.

Skating m the Central Pa rk-The Ladies'
skating Mateh-Why is Did Not Come
OGg-Ekshty Thousand Persons Present.
Much Disappointment Feit-Tho Frf@e
skates for the eGen.ienAen--Hoth Matches
,o Come on Next Week--Tbe Daylight
Fancy Dress Carnival at Williams
burg. Sc. <xe.
n having been announced that skating match by The
lad es was 60 have come of yesterday afternoon OF tho
Central PARK extra large eonoourse Of persors visited
ito:s grounds Tor the purpose Of witnessing the nove
sight. Bat unfortunately it did not come OF rhe cues
tion VIII naturally arise, why did il nop Tho skates
were there the judges there the competitors IN
Guiding k petite poiiaeur there and the spectators
we're also there Then what wanted9 The ice KIND
sir the good ice, dear madam But The ice was spenou
IN the morning; il better That is true ou'
unfortunately the and the warm atmosphere, TO-
gsther with the skates Of extra number OF visters so
spoiled the ice before the hour fixed tor the
match tbal when the time came sufficient
clear space could mot be found on any
part OF the whole upper pond where . lady
skater could exercise her skill for two minutes with
any satisfaction herself fairness to her companions
Further than this, number OF professional gentlemen
skaters would for time previous 70 the appointed
hour begin showing Of what they could do, gathering
large and crowded rings Of spectators around the tie
enect of which would the Ice t2 crack and break 10
so form idabe manner that, as few persons became
immersed deemed altogether unsafe to ejow any
such gathering r the grand object OF ths day ana mad
70 be po,.poned The competitors themselves were per
fectly willing that the match should come OIL on inc hs
fine ay when the ice might be in better conaitoh auo
the ciyer OF the prize has agreed 90 advise individually
all those whose are down on ms boJA so tat tneTe
shall be no mistake In the meantime the list VIII re-
main open at tho skating tent on the upper pond
or course the disappointment to the spectators wss
very great Some said it was hoax, and mat
l rfa l1Ad m &, nj
however at the tent Of the giver, where any
person may them, and as the competitors
are satisfied, the spectators viii, unfortunately, have to
be so No sensible person would have wished match
like e proposed 10 be contested on ice Of such ma
ure that when the runner pressed upon IT, u would SINK
into to the foot plate Further than this, spectators
will the occasion OF the match or any match indeed
have keep the banks, or so far from the skaters
that danger be apprshendsd from the breaking in
Of the ce There plenty Of the banks, along
the Drive the bridges and the edge Of the Rambie
mon few hundred snusre feet Of the ice. This Dian
must be adopted, no match can possibly be carried
out il viii not take than half an hour to decade he
contest therefore let friends leave he ice clear Tor
] that short time.
the returns OF the gsekeepers up to six O'Clock give
over eighty thousand yistels to the Park besides
rases large number Of these spectators only and
| tsir majority females After dark but few re
NAMED and the evening visers did not number five hun
| dred.
rhe skates for the gentemens match are now
| ready, and are on exhibition at Ball, Black
| a. Cos They consist of pair OF rocker
skates OF The Phadephis improved club pattern, the
runner being two inches in depth in front and and
half inches ct tho heel The foot plate is of metal aud
fastened TO the boot by the Phadelphia button and
plate The appets and straps are Of ne leather, neatly
stitched embroidered with white silk, and liued with
silk velvet The buckles the patent lever
principle and very safe The straps &c. are fastened 10
the foot plates BY rve!s and the whole of the metallic
portion OF the skates heavily silver plated by hand
The words CsDfral Park Prize form the standards Of
the runners and tho letters inch in length The
whole is enclosed in a handsome morocco case. The
mounting been performed by T. Bartlett, Of Pearl
seet and the Messrs Walton the gyers of the prize
viii be allowed to contest for these skates.
Both the matches will or early next week, If the
ice should prove favorable Enc Will be
given Of the day TO be set apart.
Another signal flag yesterday raised down town for
the guidance OF skaters It's location Is Canal street
Hudson. This will make four points az which our
down friends accurately ascertain when there
skating on the Park. ---
The following cssion has been handed 10 Us or
publication - .a1 c
/ TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
CENTRAL PARK, Feb S, 1862
.horl time since into the Central Park saloon
the skating pond with Eve other friends The estab'
ishment IL kept by very polite In manner, but
his business habits folloNsWs had reres shments
in the shape Of beefsess each, and cup of coffee
For this no charged the Of four dollars and hall
S4 50 snd inquiry at all other tents We find that
could have obtained the for thirty cents each, in
nutling coffee We ofcourse, paid the demand but con
slider we have been imposed upon Will you kindly pub
sh this for the benefit or the public at large? enclose
| the bill recspted.
T0ther conn yAints Of similar nature have reached US
believe the publication OF the above will suffice to
make the OF the saloon more reasonable in his
| charges HERALD