The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-24

cise merry meetings and ioval fun. We are blessed
every year with just enough OF Its pleasures to give
taste for its enjoyment, and to whet the appetite
sufficiently TO cause pleasant expectations OF further
pleasures when King Frost shall again give forth his
icy breath and MAKE the water solid with its freezing
power.
The piercing frost of the night before last put to
flight many gloomy forebodings which had arisen In
the minds Of the lovers OF the art skatatoria The
damp, mild weather OF the past few days led many
OF the dev0tees Of skating to doubt whether they
would be able for some time TO indulge IN their
dearly-loved sport. The ice king. however, having
punished his admirers by temporary absence,
thought ut. with regal independence to make re-
appearance on Tuesday night In order to prove to
his subjects that he had not lost but only for time
waived the congealing power which his special pre-
rogative The eyes and hearts OF many dozens OF NOR
tails were delighted yesterday morning owhen taking
been dried during the night, ana that the puddles
were covered with sparkling crust Of frozen ice,
ana when later IN the day, the ball went up as sig
nal that the skating carnival was resumed, hundreds
OF dainty little hands might have been carefully
adjusting the straps OF hundreds OF pairs OF skates
The thaw OF the past few days did much more dam
age to the Ice than Is generally supposed. Even in
the enclosed Kinks the Ice was spoiled, and the open
ponds suffered not only from the haw, but from the
ram ana sleet which accompanied IL at the CON-
mencement OF the mild 'snap." The frost OF Tues
day night and the continued cold OF yesterday how
ever, had the effect OF producing excellent Ice and
prospect OF some days excellent skating.
THE PARKs
The ball at the Park was not "up, Yesterday morn
ing but II Is said that later in the day the signal
qQsted The really excellent ice which had been
formed on the surface OF the ponds suffered good
deal from the mild weather OF the past few days,
ana yesterday morning number Of wOrkmen were
engaged In sweeping the CLASSY surface and cutting
away all rough, uneven spots. Should the frost
continue another twenty hours the Park ponds
VIII De covered with layer OF ice OF most excellent
quaty, which VIII not easily be cut up by the iron
feet OF the skaters.
THE EMPIRE RINK.
There was no skating n this Mace yacfardov thp
propret0rs having been busily engaged IN leyelling
the surface OF the ice Yesterday morning small
portion OF the rink was Hooded and the water was
soon converted into splendid sheet OF firm smooth
ice The greatest endeavors have been put forth by
the managers OF the rink to secure for their patrons
an excellent eXpanse OF even ice; and II the clerk OF
the weather Will manage things that his tickle mas
ter VIII second their endeavors there VIII to-day be
crystazed area presented over which 1t cannot fall
to be pleasure for Skaters to disport themselves.
IN BROOKLYN.
The residents OF the City OF Churches were more
fortunate yesterday in respect to skating than were
the jewellers in this city. At all the ponds the ice
was good, and consequently q general turnout OF
skaters was made. Young ladies In walking suits OF
the prettiest coOrs and the most aultless tit to
be seen IN every part Of the city, skates in hand,
making their way to the various ponds, accompanied
by gallant cavaliers, into whose care anxious
mammas had committed their darling girls. Pleasure
was written upon their c0untenances, ard the cars
which bore them to their destination were all alive
win happy laughter and joyous chatter. The cold,
braclng air had no effect upon the happyithrongs,
save to make the blood rush more swiftly through
q
roseate hue, which far excelled In beauty the
clumsy artificial substitute too often used to repre-
sent the bloom Of health. In all directions the
happy groups proceeded according to the dictates
OF preference as to the superiority OF this that
covered Paradise and all impatient at the slow pro-
gress OF the vehicle which was bearing them to the
realization of their joynspiring expectations.
the following ponds were all in fit condition for
receiving skaters:-
UNION POND.
This 10 one of the most favOrlte resorts for the
lovers of the exhiarating sport OF skating, and
draws its patrons from New York, Williamsburg and
BROOKLYN its location making it easy OF access for
the residents OF all three places The eXpanse Of
ice at this pond Is very large probably larger than
That OF any other enclosed pond save perhaps, the
Capitoline. The arrangements for the accOmm0da-
Planned and carried out by Mr.. Cammeyer, the pro-
psO One Of the most features Is the
the noise and confusion which somehow or
score boys are gathered together. Yesterday there
was cool Ice upon the Union pond, and as a con-
sequence, goodly number Of persons were present
10 glide over its slippery surface. brass band dis
coursed sweet music at intervals, and to the strains
OF popular tunes many score neat little feet-and
on ha ce q
class. The fashionable young lady, who came TO
skate because 1t was fashionable to DO so the young
boarding school miss, who enjoyed the opportunity
for using her feet and working or her
exuberant spirits; the work girl, who en-
joyed the recreation as something which ,la,,
who looked upon the Ice as providing only another
arena for nirtations and love adventures the work
Which Il airoriei and score OF others with motives
as different as the make or quality Of their skates
me skaters dinered widely, t00 In their power 10
glide about upon their ironed feet There was the
young beginner, whose timidity forbade him to
leave some quiet corner where ne could remain I'M
observed the pretentious beginner whose grotesque
positions and repeated falls made him the cause OF
general laughter; the scientific adept whose graceful
urnings and wonderful evolutions were the objects
n
went alone and others who enjoyed the support OF
strong armed cavalier, confident skaters and
timorOus well dressed skaters and shabby. clever
skaters and awkward and all OF them busily engaged
In either learning exhibiting the mysteries OF this
| popular outdoor amusement.
During the season the proprietor OF the Union
pond intends to make as attractive as possible and
TO that end announces that masquerades, carnivals
skating matches, tournaments and base ball matches
Will be got up at frequent intervals.
THE CAPIToLINE POND.
There was good ice upon this pond yesterday, ant
water surface Of 200 by 400 feet TO the action o
the FROST and when this large space Is covered witt
good Ice It affords excellent opportunities Tor TIM
| display OF the skating art The pr0pretors navt
| improved the rooms which surround the pond bl
| knocking out sundry partitions, and the acc0mmo
dalton now offered to their patrons Is very excellent
During the season this avorlte place will ofrcr man.
| attractions to the public The Meagher brothers
who created considerable sensation last year by thei
marvellous performances upon skates. Will be agail
| engaged and 10 Is expected that during their en-
gagenent some very Interesting matches Will b.
made between them ana local champions. Inc lc
boats viii also be placed upon the pond and viii en-
gage In races upon fixed afternoons. The attend
ance at the Capitoline yesterday was large, es
pecialy in the afternoon and evening, the person
present being or the usual class. This pond has II
regular patrons who visit IL on account OF ~
proximity TO their residences and the excellent ic
which is generally to be found there.
THE BROOKLYN RINK
new skating rink, where the dev0tees OF icI
pleasure may indulge In their favorte pastme unde
cover and without being subjected to the cold winds
and the driving Storm Is now being erected on Cer-
mont avenue near Myrtle avenue. The structure
which IL rapidly approaching completion, Is built o
brick, the walls being about forty feet In height
The building Is 1874 feet wide and 200 feet long,
surface OF ice measuring 100 feet by 90 feet Will bt
provided for and In the front OF the structure VIII b.
the various rooms necessary for the use OF visitors
Galleries are being erected on both sides o
the building 100 feet long and 81 feet wide, which
will be supplied with seats for spectators. IL II
claimed that the rink will afford accommodation for
1000 skaters and 5000 spectators. The management
announce that the rink will be opened In few days
with all the necessary conveniences complete.
band oftwenty musicians has already been engaged
who under the leadership OF Mr.. Colleti, will dis
course sweet music to the magic whirlers on the c,
beneath. During the season series OF carnivas
tournaments, masquerades and skating exhibitions
will be given 10 add to the attractions OF the place