, 1863-02-14

um. is from Wheaton, aud learned to skatcby
herself, without help or instruction. Ac-
cording to the conditions Of the premium,
she had the choice of skate, and selected tho
Blondin pattern. The Agent In this city, VIC
understand, has agreed to make splendid
suver-mountcd pair, which shall be appropri-
ate to the occasion, and will be handsomely
engraved with an inscription. The sknting
oi all tue ladics was good, and ne must eBpe-
c!ally notice little Miss Knox, who, for hor
age and size, displayed rare abilities. She pro-
Miscs to make one Of thc finest skaters In tho
city.
The contest between the gentlemen was cx-
citing In the extreme, the more SO that aIarge
proportion of them were very evenly matched.
As with the ladies, speed WAS the first test,
four times around by fours. The contest was
very close, with now ono and now another
ahead, and lots of tumblcs, owing to the ef,
forts Of the contestants to get the inside
track.
On the various trials, some OF the best
skating We hGve ever seen took place, Lcckic's
long and graceful strokes were particularly
admired. but some unfortunate tumbles hin
dcrcd him greatly. Mason displayed very
handsome skating. Stcarns was very grace
ful, and in our estimation the most graceful
Of all the gentlemen, but not quite 50 fast ae
Whitehousc, who seemed perfectly at home
on his skates, and did somc lpe work. Pa
cock was also rapid and graceful skater.
The contest on speed upon the home stretch,
&E-oId -. 4n1..
They few like arrows. Wlitchonse was wary
and took the inside Of the stakes every time.
but his advantage WINS only temporary.
stcarns would swiftly shoot ahead, White
house keeping the inside until on round
ing the last quarter they were neck
ind neck, with but u few feet 10 20,
when Stcarns unfortunately stumbled and
measured his length, leaving the field clear to
Whitehouse, who came in first. Pratt, lit
tie boy in comparison with the other skaters,
deserves especial mention for his excellent
skating against such heavy disadvantages.
In skating backwards Leckie was fl
yorite as well as Whitehoase, stcarns
and Peacock, the latter especially de-
serving commcndation for his handsome
effort. In cutting rings, forward and back
ward, there was mnel eycnncss in the compe-
tition. The little Pratt accomplished it very
artistica}ly, crossing his feet with a measured
uniformity, and lifting them clear from the
ice at each stroke. Many Of the others CON-
nlitted the radical error Of not lifting their
feet, but ''seulling,' practice familiar to
everybody, and very easily done.
| The front roll OF as It is sometimes called
the Dutch roll, which is probably the most
graceful Of all methods Of skaiing, and
consists in turning each diagonal with d roll
ing sweep upon the outer edge Of the skate
swaying nc body ut the same time, was ac
complishcd most admirably by Leckic, and
also By Peacock. In the double roll forward
Biddeford excelled, aud stearls and Masor
displayed great proficiency. In the double
roll backward, the most difficult fea1
upon skates, Pcacock displayed the cart
and attention he had deToted to skating, ant
accomplished the almost impossible motion!
with astonishing excellence. Little Pratt, tt
the wonder Of everybody, although not equa
to Peacock, still did 1t we'll. The other
tried at it hard, and we're next, hut at q lont
, distance. The last feat was spinning upot
one foot Ia top, and strange to say, littl
Pratt WIS the only one who could accomplish
It. Peacock didn't attempt It, The other
tried hard and ended in funny failures.
A free pass was then given to all the gentle
men to 60 in and do their handsomest, an'
for few minutes the Ice was the scene 0
splendid skating, each trying to outdo tn
other in impossible n,ats. Pigeon wings 0
eyory descriptions, spread eagles, forwart
: and backward rolls, jumps and tunhles wer'
: promiscuously mixed up, and al were snnrl
Jug pand disentangliDg, twisting and wreath
ipgin graceful conyolutious, and engraving
upon the ice, curves which would have aston
ishcd Napier, when the Committee called thu
competitors to the stand and awarded tht
prjzcs, as follows:
FIysf Prenliun-(bl ribbon) to G. D, Peacock
SeeoEe Prenairnt-{rcd ribbon) to Frederick
Third nvensihm-(white ribbon) to Franl
Fourth i'emium-<yel'ow rlbb0n> to ]. "
The volunteer prize ofa d"zen ear.e: dc visit
to the poorest skater on the Ice was the mex
on the tapis. Nobody seemed ambitious o
claiming this distinction, except Gunnybags
who challenged jenkins and everybody else
jenkins declined the honor, and Gunnybags
covcting one prize, attempted tic spinning
! which Of course resulted in an ingloriou
, failure, and entitled him to the dozen Gunny
bags in miniature. But, although the spin
ming attempt made him sit down, and rol
over, and see stars, the Committee ignores
his claim. He enters his protest, aud chal
1cnges the whole Committee to spin with lin
; for purse Of any amount Of greenbacks, 0
postal currency, railroad tickets not to b
, spun for, unless they are the seven ride ones
): In making the awards, the Committee had
| delicate task before them. There should, Il
reality, hare been two set Of premiums-on
for plain and the other for fancy skating. a
it was, everything had to be considered
strength, activity, speed, grace and finisl
There were many who cxcelled in one thing
but in no others; and many who, in plait
skasing alone, would have taken prize.
is noticeable, however, TINT no prizes wet
awarded until every skaters abilities ha
been canyasscd, and each mans exccllcncic
in every department compared with the otl
ers. If we mistake not, every man upon til
Committee was a practical skater, and two {
them at least, Messrs. Goodman and WOO;
among the very best in the whole ctr. n
lave no doubt their awards will give yer
, general satisfaction.
II Thus ended one Of the most pleasant entc,
- tuinmcnts ever given In the city. We reall
, hope to see many more Of them. They at
;, institutions to be encouraged, and will rcsul
= in largely increased stock Of health, Il splc1
:, did development Of the muscle Of Chrlstianit
and unalloyed, pure and innocent cnjoymeu
= to the young women and young men Of ii
city.
:, To-day is devoted from Sa. N. until p. Il
- = to the children, who will be admitted for th
= trihing fee Of ten cents. The band will be +
;; attendance, and another pleasant scene sim
lar to that Of last Saturday is expected.
;. LEGISLATION FOR Observation-Disclosures til
. . legislation which has been accomplished fo
Chicago during the present session of th
y Legislature, is the following: The City Cha
; ter has passed both Houses; the Firemen'
! Ascension bill has passed to third reading
= Tie bill incorporating the Chicago Doc
!. Company passed tile Senate. The capital
!. Il 900, 600. john Young, of Montreal; Dca
Richmond, Of Buffalo, and Mcssrs. Watson
!, Yoe aud Durham, Of Chicago, are the inco1
;. rorators. The bill provides for the ereetio
Of an immense warehouse for rolling freigh
It will front the river, and have facilities fo
| III e.7.S