The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-15
SKATING.
Tho Empire City Skating Rink.

Tho Empire City skating Rink.
To supply want which was greatly felt nv iovs,s
OF skating living In the upper part OF the CITY a
company was formed early in the fan for the pur.
pose Of erecting rink In Third avenue, near sixty
fourth street WHERE through every degree OF tempe
nature, skating would be possible. The building
which has been Hetely completed. was opened on
Saturday last md has since been extensively
patronzed by those OF the upper ten ana town who
appreciate exclusveness and are willing to pay for
1t. The rink Is q magnificent structure OF wood,
$50 feet long by ITO feet wide. and 10 feet high Tho
front OF the building, facing Third avenue, resem-
bles Chinese pagoda In appearance and is quite
an ornament to the neighborhood. The moor IL
made OF soft unburnt brick, cemented together.
over which eight inches OF ice ia evenly laid and
there can be no danger therefore, OF any Of those
serious accidents occurring which frequently mar
the pleasures OF the exhiaratng sport OF skating al
ponds where there ia a considerable depth OF water
under the ice. food OF light ia thrown on the noor
or the immense building from $50 gas lamps attached
to eight beams extending across the roof and from
burners In horizontal bar at the extreme end OF this
ton OF the band OF music which the COMPANY
has engaged for the season is placed IN
and Platforms with comfortable seats for
extend along the four sides of the square reserved
management Tor the comfort and cSnvenen Sy 'a oS
skaters and spectators In the building and nothing
has been left undone to insure for the rink large
The attendance yesterday was quite large, and It
was noticed that among those present We're many OF
good citizens OF the metropolis DO, the SPLEEN
did accommodations OF our magnificent Park.
prefer to spread IN the exciting
from the two freely expressed criticisms Of the null
tltude There were also number OF professional
skaters present, more especially In the evening"
when the lamps were lit and the light fell on the
cherry cheeks and bright dresses Of the fair skaters
ment in the few timid novces in the rink by their
extraordinary skill in cutting capers on the Ice and
arms and legs with such rapdiy, ease and grace OF
movement as only artists whose every gcnunection
was q 'big thing on ice, could accomplish.
Not the least amusing Incidents OF yesterdays
skating at the Empire City rink were caused by
the attempts OF the Juvenile performers to initiate
the dexterous adults. On one side OF the rink might
be seen little, chubby highly -wrapped boy sailing
on the surface OF the slippery ice with outstretched
arms like sea gull about TO aght, and holding BY
the hand little sister or cousin, whose tiny feet
SKINNED the treacherous element for the frat time,
and whose wide-opencd, staring eyes told the trem-
bling tale OF her delight and fear; and opposite to
them or c0ursing round in maddelight could have
been observed an elder lad whose every movement
betrayed conscious superiority and the recklessness
Of bovhoOd. The rink was well filled during the day
by both sexes, and the beautiful skating which the
finely smoothed Ice Afforded was abundantly appre-
Ciated.
The directors OF the company intend to decorate
the rink with colored lamps and evergreens and in
fact to do everything towards the improvement OF
the splendid ediace which taste can suggest and
money execute
The Park.
The Commissioners Of the Park caused the
red ball to be perched yesterday, In notification
| that the preparations for the accommodation OF
skaters, so long delayed, had been completed The
| Park accordingly crowed with skaters OF both
| sexes and the ice, which was in most excellent
condition for the sport was well cut up by the foot
seghs Of enthusiastic loversTof the heathfu sport
The day was very fine the suns warmth tempered
the chilling northern blasts, and the sky
was OF heavenly blue. IL was such .
day sportsmen love- II brought color to the cheek
and strength to the nerves. A more beautiful day
never shone on our lovely Park was better enjoyed
by the thousands who yesterday crowded the ponds
to display their skill In the exharating exercise OF
skating II this morning turns out fine the several
ponds in the Park will be black with a steel shod
multitude.