The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-29
SEk ATING.

Swimming over the CLASSY surface, circling
and winding in graceful curves, wheeling and
dodging in the exciting race, ruddy Of cheek
and bright of eye. how the throng of skaters
thrill with life even on the bleakest day of
winter Most beautiful ofsports, so glorously
fitted to redeem the dreariest Of seasons !
Scarcely are the streams and the parks
touched with hand Of ice, ere thousands Of
hearts beat lightly, brimming with fun, and
thousands Of forms are gliding over the
frozen lake, making the scene as merry as
when the leaves futtered. the grass lay
softly tTemulous the birds warbled, and the
waters trilled the livelong day. The keener the
wind, the switter the skaters fly; the more
dismal its moan, the louder the laugh, drown
ing the sound of natures wailing in the chorus
of gladness The slips and stumbles of the
awkward squad are needed but as fresh occa-
sions for mirth. Up and awayl We all must
learn to conquer mishaps. Skimming, fitting,
wheeling, sailing in wide sweeping courses, on
they go, the happest, gracefullest Of mortals-
careless of cold, and radiant with the inspira-
ton of exercise. Mark them when the moon
is up, and the mirroring ice reflects her beauty
when the bare-branched trees lie weirdly in
the dreamy light.
No playful elves of olden fancy ever sported
more bewitchingy under those mild beams;
and Indeed the wondrous enchantment of the
hour and scene-the skurrying ring of the steel
upon the re, now sharp and clear, and now
the ialntest hum, mingling its music with the
flying forms, Produces the enhancing effect of
a fairy SPELL
Our skaters have already enjoyed some
days and nights of delightful practice, but the
season has not yet fairly opened. We have
very many more persons OF various ages in
this community who enter into this amuse-
ment with eager Zest than our indoor. fire.
hugging friends would imagine. When the
| ice is firm and smooth, thousands of people
are found upon their skates, and crowds of
spectators enjoy the performances. Among
the throng will be found skaters of extraor-
binary skill, as feet as the wind, as graceful
as a consummate dancer, and capable of exc
cutting the most intricate movements with
surprising ease.
And now that our ladies participate so
eagerly in the destinations Of the sport. how
! greatly are they enhanced! They find that no
Schottische or Mazourka in the glare OF ball
room, however gracefully performed, can be
so winsome as those circling, floating move
ments they may execute when they become
experts upon the skates. They feel that the
change from indoor amusements TO this sport
/ in the bracing air has the most exhlarating
effect upon their spirits, while the boding
! paleness Of the cheek is tinted with the rose
and the languid eye is lit with lively fire. In
the warmer seasons there are very many de-
| llghtful outdoor recreations in which women
may indulge; but in the icy days the choice is
limited, and skating is infinitely preferable to
either walking or riding through the streets O
a great city.
We need not point out what new charm
has been given to this delightful amusement
since the ladies have become active partici
pants in it. The increase of brilliancy in thu
scene upon the ice-the fresh and varleC
grace in the movements of the skaters-anC
the softening manners in the throng of men
! are the evident consequences Of the addition
y, qven knows our young men are alread,
occ,,, ed of being too anxious to escape from
tbo mn, influence Of their lady friends. Iti
G.sbi,,, it'll those just breaking into man
bood ta',...,o, the club and the haunts Of dis
siootion 70 ,Ia,. where the delicate restrain
oftbo aontIar so,. viii be felt. The ladies hav
rop, tbo ro,r.r 49,, 'ng the recreants back