The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-08
The SKATING SEASON.
Prepara tlcns for the Winter Carnival on the
Park Lake-The Private Ponds, Kinks
and CIubs-Jerome Park Skating Cha
Ief-Fashl0n,s Edict In the Matter OF
Skating Costumes-The Prospect
Park and Brooklyn Ponds
"cp with the Rail- ~

Among the numerous changes which the opening OF
ths Park has produced in the social exercises and
creations Of the metropolis none marked in its
popularity and general practice the peneAan which
SEXES every New Yorker when tho Ice King has
pehsd the lakes and ponds that there adorn the
landscape and CONCEALED their surface too in the words
OF Klopstock "hke the Homerie Gods stride with
winged feet the sea- transmitted into solid
ground Skating is an art, exercise or amusement,
the may be. OF very ancient origin and
Indulgence and has been frequently mentioned both in
prose and In the "Edda," collection of Scandi-
nayian songs written and published eight hundred
years ago skating is mentioned. The god Uler rep
resented being distinguished for his beauty arrows
skates Goethe Herder and other German poets Of
date have toned their Tyres in praise Of skating,
while history records at least instance OF its adapta-
the necessities suggestions OF military enter
Prise Before the excellent judgment OF the Park
mssoners had provided attractive and accessible sheets
Of water which by the operation Of natural laws be-
come ice, skating was but little practiced this
city. The facilities however, thus afforded for
indulgence in this recreation speedily popuar,zed it
a sport and has since induced the establishment OF
numherless Kinks whore the iron shod could and do
despOrt themselves gliding their smooth surfaces
with many graceful curve and turn, making very
fantasia Of pedal movement whenever tho weather
probation of the thrilling enjoyment there is this
exercise. The easy even notion tho thorough
freedom OF each effort and the remarkable speed
possible, all make exhiration Of feeling
rarely experienced and different from that ex.
cited by any other means. Even the sense OF
power and freedom which feels, mounted on
fiery courscr gaopng at headlong speed is less than
that of the skater skmmering tho surface OF lake
river, with clear stretch Of say I'VE miles to do before
VII IL
which furnishes such facilities the skating public
those who admire tina. sort amusement as New York
Kinks abound indeed there may be said to be cpl
demc OF skating ponds threatening the city this winter
in view OF the numerous that have been
made It having been found paying investment there
Is, usual strong disposition manifest TO multiply
OF some casscany named locality, where ice and the
accessories be had when the favor of the weather
clerk SO ordained is now an ordinary advertisement
COSTUMES
The experience OF last winter demonstrated that
skating IS fashionable amusement The ladies whose
presence or association in any recreation gives character
and ELEGANCE to its practice have evnced attachment
10 and interest in skating which only equalled by the
abandon with which they patronize the terpsichorean
art and begging their pardon the interest they manifest
In the very silly game OF croquet. Thus skating
costumes become matter OF importance and the
brains OF modses exercised to devise forms OF
dress and original combinations of color appropriate
seeming and likely to prove attractive. Brilliant
colcrs win, OF course be in greatest demand skating
If exhieratng, so strs the pulse and drives the
blood through system that much clothing ia obec-
lionsble while at the time in consequence OF the
heat produced by the exercise it is unsafe to be without
sufficient muffng 10 provide against the dangerous
consequences OF reaction Bright tlnts such as red
crimson, to have a peculiar expression
or warmth and onsequentiy are favorte colors in
winter. On the rink they predominant almost 10 the
exclusion OF all others The necessities conveuences
of this recreation render short skirts a SIN, yyn NON
These usually OF contrasting colors for instance
the underskrt Is generally OF some bright color while
,ne ,e,rs,Ss r.ssno q psr oca Women MIN
renders them 80 supreme in the social economy Of
cety know how 70 combine these :. as TO produce the
al he al rfI ly hOrfv shfVA
about to the ances and 50 disposed TO amplitude OF
hocp that occasional gIimpscs furnished OF white
stocking popping over the rim OF the CATER and aor-
nasly appearing and vanishing as the swayng move
ment Of The form dsturbs the frock which otherwise
would veil its attractions Besdes the skirt thus
ranged tight fitting sacks form prominent feature OF
the costumes OF ls danes this season with sleeves
made up 10 leave the will either dis
trcssfui consequences the event Of slip or-more
enjoy able-ca'pa gentleman In pretty dread OF the
result of fall.
skating pond viii be this year il has heretofore BEEN
smooth surface OF a CONCEALED lako with airiness of
movement and ease Of effort impossible under any
other conditions Since the first appearance Of frost
this season the Commissioner under able manage
mont their President, Mr. Green, have boon active in
%
the position OF the mercury indicates prospective pleas
tSe water hsv,Ds essa drawn on soms ds,
since to bring them down 10 slight DEPTH the only
drawback TO immediate and direct ransmutation 70 the
weather TO speak moro scientifically, the presence
Of too much caloric in the The gemsnts
last year; but il may be mentioned matter OF
proved accommodation that the growth Of the foliage
during tne past twelve months surrounding the lakes
has provided shelter from the wind admirable,
and desirable places Of this description were missing
In former ysaI The following are
SKATING Rx5rIAroSs
DO not 90 on the Ice except BY the paths provided for
uss'tne foot scrapcn on the gang plank before step
ping on the cc
Do nos drop any tobacco, cigar stump. paper. nut
Avoid crowds leo 10 liable TO crack even when II il
thick, and IL persons crowd side a cake Of ice
may suddenly tip and sndanger the lIyes Of those
upon It
Cautions from Pzrkkeepcr should be Immediately
The want Of civil attention the charging more than
the prescribed rates ~ refreshmsnt, chair skate
houses should be reported 70 Parkkoeper.
Any want Of civil attention on the par. Of Park
the lake or 70 the Comptroller 0: the PARK.
ball will be hoistsd on the nagstan Of the old Arse
skating 90 either the lake or the pond and o. the asg.
san At Mount - Vincent when the ice on Harlem Lake
Toe national Gag will b. Sc, on tho nas,sn q, tho
isdes cottage M the pond ~ the south beach Of sAc
60 upon the Ice with safety or skate without seriously
injuring
dangerous 20 upon ice II win not BE- displayed
uness there 70 an absolute necessity that the ice be
These regulations are prescribed with the design or
placing such restrictions only are necessary tor the
OF toe Ice In the best condition for the &C.
neral enjoyment and IL " hoped that they may be
willingly observed bv ali that other measures
20 their observance will not he required.
The dcnizsus OF this city are however not condnedfn
their skating exercises 10 the Park Numerous enter.
prsing gentlemen have opened Kinks ponds, snd
otter attractions 70 visitors suggested ~ private
prise winch IN some respects transcend those rre-
scented the public places First 10 the order
these may be mentioned
anuLAss
This pond 10 situated the junction OF Fifth avenue
and Forty sixth street. Having even level beu. the
a Ia
part OF the rink exceeds four feet II covers m area
mprissd within four hundred aud thirty fees length
and two hundred feet width. building one hundred
and three feet long By thirty feet wide has
ben erected aud fitted up q superior style
for the accommodation Of visitors IL intended
throughout the 10 have band In constant at
tendance, and after dark all the modern improvements