The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-09

Young America on Skates inauguration OF
the Gay and Festive Sensoa ON Ice-Ths
Kinks in New YORK aud Williamsburg.

Young America on Skates inauguration Oh
the Gay and Festive Season ON Ice-Ths
Kinks in New YORK aud Williamsburg.
Several hundred devoted skaters eagerly well
coined the Inauguration of the skating season yes
terday afternoon, at McMlllian's Fifth Avenue
RINK, corner OF Fortysixth street. This rink, whcd
is rooless enclosure. covers half the block be-
tween Fifth and Madison avenues, aud has one
great advantage in being close to the centre OF q
very fashionable neighborhuod. The ice yesterday
was about four inches ihek ana straight and level
as a billiard table, The arrangements made py
Mcmillan were not quite complete but when they
are there will ne little 10 desire and
nothing TO apprehend bat oyercrowdng. A
flight OF steps leaos down from the sidewalk on
Forty sixth street TO long low wooden structure
stretching across one end OF the rink. The visitor
having paid his admission fec at a small sem,clrcu-
lar aperture outside the entrance, passes into
ample room warmed by stove, where skates are
procured and put on and cumbrous cotning is taken
charge Of A bar for refreshments stands IN one
corner where mid beverages only viii be provided.
A partition divides this room from another OF eqnal
sze which Is intended to be used by :he New YORK;
Skating Club. When the moor Is laid with mating,
the walls papered and pictured aud stove OF rea-
sonaole size introduced 1t VIII make comfortable
and handsome headquarters. band OF music num-
berng eleven pieces present yesterday,
and blew OIL some pretty airs IN very good style
"Sweet Spirit, Hear My Prayer" appeared 10 be .
splendid measure OF music Tor the skaters lis long
swelling notes harmonlz'ng admirably with the
gracefully sweeping curves performed Oh the soates.
Inc RINK Is surrounded by low ral.as, over which
loks can iean and watch the movements OF ths
people on the ice. AT night IL VIII be lit By cham
OF lamps extending around tue Jour sides I'd placed
midway between the surface oil the rink and the side
walks. United 10 the street lamps, which are toeraolv
numerous in the vicinity there will be an abundance
OF light cast across tle frozen nUor Belhg open
to Firth avenue the RINK naturally draws the atten-
ton OF crowds that roll past TO the Park, and yeser
day being the opening day great many persons
stopped to look and watch the shliul plroueting or
some OF the lady skaters The class or persons who
may be expected to patronize this place or amuse-
mcnt Will be OF arlsocratlc stripe II there be not
feeling OF fastdious aversion w skating IN sucn
an exposed public situation. Judging by the dis
play OF handsome winter toiets and beautiful faces
hyng hther and thither on the Ice yesterday alter
noon 1t is fair TO expect some verl attractive gatner
lngs occasionally through the winter.
SKATING IN WILLIAMSBURG.
Cammeyers Union Pond IN Williamsburg, was
ms pond is about the finest any where near New
YORK. Its frozen surface spreads over SIX and u
half acres, giving room for Oil the small boys Of q
large city To dl-port themse YES skatOrlay. In the
summer this ground is devoted TO the manly game
OF base ball. ana thousands OF men and maldens SIT
for hours watching with oe2aied attention the
splitting fortunes OF the play tne skill Of the boy at
the bat or the wonderful neetness shown IN sue
cessla home rum In the winter It andergoes
character as place OF public anus Amusement
to grass by blow Of base bali In tho tender part
OF The shin, he Is dropped In lively way on an Ice
moor four or six nce5 thick because OF knocking un
tremendously against somebody else. There were
a few hundred persons on the link yesterday, buL
there was room Tor about ten times as many more.
Everything Is IN readiness for the season. The
rooms for skaters are all newly lifted up and accom-
mediation provided for an immense number. There
Is shop on the premises for making ready and re-
pairing skating tools. Over 200 lamps will pc strung
around the Sides In the centre OF the rink a
circular glass frame, mounted on pole,
will contain light which Will throw It's
effulQent beams O considerable distance all round.
When the nights dry and DARK all the lamps Will
be t, and the display II Is anticipated, VIII be vastly
brilliant Moonlight. wnen II Is lDeraly supplied,
Will be taken in preference TO keruseue, as being
much more romantic and congendl To the souls OF
loving couples on skates Folks from New YORK Oh
landing at south Seventh street may ride or trudge
ten twelve blocks straight out from the ierry aud
they catch sight OF two hign poles, with NAH dozen
flags 1utlerng In the breeze, they can turn TO Tue
rignt block or Jwo and discover themselves over
looking the Hooded aud frozen battle held OF many
gallant base ball battalfons.