The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-11
S Tin g.

the sport, &c.
Late on sunday afternoon the mercury n the thermo-
meters about town commenced falling. When the good
so,ss OF Gotham swose on Monday morning, they had
tbe satssacon-the youthful members OF the commun-
i,y al leasto detect coating OF ice upon the NINA
,.re nonds extending occasionally from curbstone to
.urbstore The mild and balmy temperature Of autumn
nal DAYS had vanished and the chill presence OF
was made the perceptbe by the sudden donn ngof
heavy oyercoas and thick comfor,ers the substu
zion Of wooen gloves the fashionable giants de Suede
no generally throughout the summer That winter
with It's snow and hail storms, with its icy winds and
Iesfess skeleton trees at hand at last, none will
venture 10 deny and the weatherwse have every
son opns ,ha, foyeght hours have already gone by
since last opportunity afforded TO bid the
pual au reuoir 10 the departing fall Prom yesterday
the price adapted the coming season has
quite rapidly the liquid in the thermometer
has fallen, and, IL the cold increases, Heaven only
knows nj what fabulous rates wearing apparel may be
quoted of the first swallow forsells the
approach Of spring.
however despite Of and hail. and chilling blasts
N not entirely devoid of charm. In the days OF our
forefathes seighng and snowbailing furnished enjoy
ment for the old and for the young. Now, their de-
scendan,s have retained all the sports INDUCED in by
Their ancestors adding thereunto skating which 10 fast
becoming national amusement, II indeed the almost
assumption OF SKATES by the laQe 06sSes
the United States has not already identified II with the
vet unrecordcd Sports America The reason for this
sudden adoption Of the amusement 10 obvious Sleigh
ing at present luxury in which but few afford to
indulge II is almost expensive a-days to hire
team and vehicle ~ II was to purchase mag and sleigh
the olden time None but the wealthy can secure
the temporary possession Of those boudos run
ner of those velvet lined and fur-toppcd vests those
swffooted steeds, whose combination forms fashion
able equipage None but the fortunate can fit onward
unsued expanse Of purest snow, while silver
bells tnklng about the horses necks, herald their ap
proach. But who 20 poor but procure pair Of
sksses and seek heathful diversion the great pond
reserved for the masses in the Park3 And who. with
Insens lma % eyes aer IN exer
hour gliding past in their sleighs and nonchalanty
clinns under burden Of costly robes with feelings Of
pity for the poor mionaires, whose limbs become hair
parayzed by the inactivity and Incidence Of their
Those who win attend the monster skating reunions OF
The Park the fashionable but pale faced and feeble dam
sss whose first essays win be made the ducet strains
Issuing from the pavilion OF the Fifth rink and
the quiet inhabitants Of the City of Churches who will
people the ponds OF BROOKLYN and make the clear
nosphere ring with their glad shouts have
over the ice and lend the prestige Of their presence
each and every public demonstration Of the skating
PREPARATIONS FOR THE SEASON
have long been in progress The windows Of the hard.
dealers have for time harbored cargoes OF
skates, and the peculiarly inventive genius OF the
Iankeo mas asserted 1tSelf IN hundred different
stances Skates Of every conceivable pattern from the
simple polished blade supporting piece Of rough white
pine g the rosewood platform resting upon silver
and gllded fac simile Of swans wing, have
been on exhibition everywhere during the. past
few weeks, together with patent straps, invaluable
screws, priceless vices and contrvances nnnumbered
This grandioze display Of articles which deemed in
disensable TO every skater has possibly quckened the
arrival Of the season. but in any its effect has
20 enable the members Of the community prepare for
is advent Hence can safely be inferred that skat
sing be nauRuated this very day there will be lack Of
skaters; will the proprietors and managers Of
ponds be in the least taken aback. With the firm
conviction that the winter season is not to be 70
sasily suppressed after all, those pecuniarly inter-
ested in the brilliancy OF the skating period have
not delayed making preparations, and are now only
awaiting the finishing touches which Jack Frost 10 pu
able and popular places Of resort will be during the
winter may be seen by the subjoned skeches;
within whose precincts are located our democratic ponds
par erceence cncloscs three lakes The pond at the
situated and the Harlem Lake in the vicinity Of 10th
street, will be thrown open TO the public as soon
- their ripping eosoms VIII n Ss coated with
past sessc-s have been erected near each
Of the ponds are AMIDST completed, and the
Of most satisfactory nature For years past
The lighting Of the lakes with has been coDtempa
sion but for reasons unknown the Commissioners have
preferred illuminating the Park by Of Drummond
lights whose shed brancy certain portions Of
abe Kinks, while others remained overhung by Cimmsran
darkness This the difficulties have obvi-
aied and steps ara now being taken TO accomplish the
inaugurated, large force OF workmen WI be employed
70 clear the ponds and keep them in good condition
Winters frequent storms will not interfere with tho
pleasures Of the seel-shod fraternity and the
renewed carpeting Of snow win be removed as
nature shall have hidden beneath It's depth the CLASSY
surface Of the leo As TO the rules and regulations
which skaters are TO be governed little need here be
os WIN 'u
ball will be hos.ed the iagstanof the old Arsenal
Ia the Park whenever the leo is condition for skating
either the Lake the pond and also the flagstaff
~ the Mount ST. Vincent buildings when the the
Harlem lake Is In condition for skating
The national nag will be set on the flagstaff al the
ladies' cottage at tho pond At point tho south
beach Of the lake. and at the cottage Harlem Lake,
whenever persons 90 upon the with safety or
skate without seriously lnjuring L.
proper regard TO the general Interest IN msn,snps Il IN
good order for skating when the national flag Is not
red Gag hosted on the nagsan indicates that IL IL
dangerous upon the ice will not be displayed
unless there be absolute necessity that the should
oArAss yrrH AvxSrs SKATING msK
s this year. as in bygone days. be the rendezvous Of
very ideal Of skating pond Located at the OF
Madison and Fifty NTH street. with spacious
adjoining the railroad depot Il forms just such vale
shut out from Alpine winds ciaude Menoie In mpas
honed language described TO his lady love- Its dimen-
eons about three hundred by hundred feet It's
uniform depth s eighteen inches Forming nearly
she surface the rink affords accommodation for nve
thousand spectators who eau look down upon the
skaters much H the audiences OF the Coliseum once
looked down upon the glsdiaiors the Roman arena
Two hundred gas burners are affixed TO the gallery
and viii shed sunlight brightness upon the scene.
On the western side OF this gallery will he opened
saloon, two hundred feet In length, wherein
abe patrons OF the rink will End all things Inviting in
the shape Of edbles Retiring for the Of the
ladies have also been provided and thu fair who
may FOR the hrst time don the skates under the tuition
of professor OF the art whose services have been
secured by the Major will ind every Incentive the
doi far ssenf needed after hours ground lofty
tumbling the Ice shall have crmsonod their checks
end bruised their dainty limbs Descending from this
family circle narrow platform, specially for
tho me- NJ afQ ttta or m.
participants In the sport beng sheltered from and
drifting by the high walls ~ and the fences
and gallery above, which edectually shut tous and
bis bostevous As 10 the programme Of the
kop little can be foreshadowed A band Of music will
he constantly In attendance and the personal SUPER
vision OF MAJOR 0aman, combined with the presence OF
the members Of the New York skating Club, who have