Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-01-31
sLEIGHING In RUSSIA.


Talking about the Russians, few
words about their iavorito manner of
sleighing, ought not to be uninteresting
in this connection They do not use
horses, for tho simple reason that their
sleighing Is confined to rapid descents
and ascents of ice hills, upon which quad
rupeds and bipeds could have no chance
of figuring. An authority on the subject
furnishes the following description Two
strong wooden towers, about fifty feet
high, are erected nearly opposite to, but
att distance of several hundred feet from
each other A commodious fight of steps
AT the back Of each leads to the summit,
from which an inclined plane at the short
est possible angle, formed of immense
blocks of ice, cemented together by wa
ter poured into the intcrstices, leads to
the bottom or plane, which continues on
bed of similar blocks of ice, protected
at the sides with little embankmcnts of
snow to the end Of the ground. Parties
thus descend ono hill, and By the i'm.
petus acquired arrive rapidly at the end
OF the run, where they their sledges, which
are carried by men employed for the pur-
pose, to the top Of the other tower when
they again launch of To the uninitiated
this is rather hazardous sport, and every
beginner has to pay his footing at the ex-
pense Of some severe falls for the least
deviation from the true line, particularly
descending the slope, when the speed is
terrific, sends the sledge Hnd its occupant
headlong and whirling after each other in
utter helplessness. The management of
the sledge is, however, SO simple that
few turns are sufficient to master it, The
sledgeis slight framework of steel, about
one foot high and three feet long, having
a cushing on the top for the seat
The rider places himself at the extrem-
ity, with his legs advanced before him,
and his hands, protected by strong gloves,
touching the ice on either side, but rather
behind him. These act as the rudder, for
the slightest touch is sufficient to regulate
the direction of the sledgo, even at its ut
most speed. An adept takes charge of
a lady, who sits between his legs, and
away they dash. But have seen some
ladies knecl, and even stand on the sledge
behind the gentlemen, and perform the
descent without the slightest risk, al
though the speed cannot be less than
thirty miles an hour TO the ladies this
is most agreeable and healthy resort
and the exercise is almost necessary, fol
the intense cold would render the ordi'
/ nary recreation OF walking hardly endu
rable. To make twenty descents it is ne
cessary to mount two thousand steps, be.
ing fifty for each tower, which is Of itsel
a good days work, Tie exciting sensa-
ton occasioned by the speed, and the
uncontrolled headong impetus of tn,
sledge, will not admit of description
1t is, however, Of that pleasurable nature
, that the anxiety to enjoy it is ever on the
increase. Among other amusements O.
The season, the English residents have
) started an ice boat, in which they make
1 excursions to Cronstadt and other spols
in the Gulf Of Finland. In lact the ice
e is traversed in all directions to thesC
e places by sledges; but an extraordinary
' lookout is kept, and little huts for th'
E Custom House officers arc thickly plantet
I about to prevent smuggling. From thi!
description we leave our readers to inle
whether the Russian or American plan i
the most agreeable. For our own par
: we prefer the american, as being mort
j natural and more safe, though, perhaps
less exciting.