The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1865-12-29
Thr Sport Of atfintrr.
SKATING.

origin OF the Ara OF skating The Ice
-NecossRry Preparations The skate
the fccoThc ssar1-SEatiSs IN cH. G
IoiI~'rhe Figure EigSf~-AItitud OF
tho Linn mbS-Thc Figure Thrcc-Ehc
spread Eaglc-Ice Wnltzing The
Qu0drllle, ctc.s etc.
As the season for skating-one of the
most eShilarating winter sports-is all but
here, we give space to-day, to some excel
lent instruction in regard 20 how it is
done" both in plain aud fancy skating, for
the ediication of everybody who cares to
know all about il. Skating is truly fas
c,nating pursuit, and seems to have been in.
vented to serve as n recomponse forour in-
ability to fly. Indeed, as long as we have
skates. on our feet, and good ice under them
we do not envy the birds, which, at other
times, we are apt to do. Nou.skatcrs have
little conception OF the fascination which
the art eXerts over those who are well &C.
customed to it; but if they wish 10 find a
simile, they may do so in the dreams Of lly-
ing that Haihes, the American skater, says
he experienced, in which, one has only to
flap his arms, glide easily along and won
der why it was not found out before. Such
a mode OF progress IS attained by the ac
complshed skater, who needs no powerful
exertion TO propcl him, but sails about as
if by simple volition.
Skating has peen transmitted to us from
Holland, upon the rivers aud canals of
which skates have. from all unknown period,
been used 10y all classes of people lor the
sake of the easier and more rapid progress
made by their aid.
III other cold countries skating is prac-
tised rather as an amusement and healthlul
exercise. Tho lcelanders, in former times,
used for skates, the shank bone of deer
or Sheep" about foot long, which they
creased because they should not be stopped
by drops Of water upon them. In the de-
scriptiOn of the ancient customs of London,
it is rem rked that "Some tie bones to their
feet and under their heels, and showing
themselves by littls picked static doe
slide as swiftly as a birdie hyeth in the air
or an arrow out of a cross.buw." In Edin-
burg, as well as in London, skating was a
highly popular amusement several centuries
ago In countries where snow abounds
skating cannot be practiced, and it is for
this reason, probably, that the amusement
has not became so general in the northwest
ern countries Of Europe. 1t has, however,
within the past Few years become fash
Ionable amusement and exercise, for both
young ladies and gentlemen. The styles of
skates are many and various. Those for
ladies' are iron of rich pattern aud some
times quito costly. Persons desiring to
learn the art can easily DO so before ven.
utring upon The ice, by using what is called
the parlor skate, aud are made to run on
three small wheels. They were introduced
upon the French stage by Dumas, The bal
l,t-ma ter, in the opera of the h'Ophete
which includes a ballet of skates, ard forms
an exciting picture. .....
We will suppose the pul at thr waters
edge, desirous of making his first essay mp.
on the ice that floats on its surface. A be.
ginner generally damages good pair OF
slates, so it is as VIII to content himself
with an ordinary pair. The skates which
have groove running along the steel, we
do not recommend. 1t is truo they give
better hold of the ice at first but they are
very apt to become blunt at the edges, and
esides, they cut up the ice into little shaw
ings which collect in the groove and by de-
grecs project; eyondt the edges of TIE skate,
when the wcarer is sure to be thrown. AS
to the straps, let those cross straps over
the insteps be discarded; they are quite
useless, and only confne the foot. Very
little strappiDg is required, as the only use
of a strap is TO prevent the skate from fall
ing off when the foot is lifted from the ice
Those who strap tightly are sure to skate
aWkwordly. No one can dance gracefully
in tight boots, aud the same rule holds ood
for skating.
The holes being proper y made the screws
are introduced, and the skates placed
straight along the feet. The little spike AZ
the trout snOul bc well pI essed into the
u,,I Ia fI fla OF flraA ms
tight enough to fix the skate firmly without
cramping the foot. If possible, the skates
should he put on while the welrer is sitting
on some spot where his feet eau overbang
the ice. II that cannot lie, he should walk
fairly on the ice, aud knecl on one klce
while he fixed the skate on the opposite
foot. A small impulse Will then put him Oh
his feet, where he will not hnd it easy to
remain. All such helps as chairs or point
ed sticks are 10 condemned. They are az
Objectionable as corks TO a swimmer, and
moreover give the beginner all awkward at
titHde, from which he does not recover for
long time, and sometimes not at all. At
this period of his progress the beginner
fluids great difficulty in keeping his feet
together Generally, one foot slides TO the
left, and down he gues, But not disheart
ened, he gets up again, 10y kneeling on Que
knee as in putting on the skates, and tries
again. After little while he tries to pro-
gress, aud docs as lie woull on land, 1. e, by
walking. But TO walk on skates is very
difficult on land, and just Impossible TO
heginner on ice, and down hc goes again.
lie does not hurt himself, thpugh--no one
ever hurts himself while learning the be.
ginDisg Of tle art---and persevercs until he
has some notion Of the method TO be pur-
sued, which is as follows;
Let the learner stand iu the Third position
in dancing, will, bis right heel in the hollow