The New York herald., 1869-01-20
SLEI0HiNG.


Yesterdays Turn Out--rhe sport NOT Par
ticulariy Gsood.-|,The Thoroughfarcs nnd the
EQnpagcs.
me number OF outdoor sports which can be en-
oyed during the winter are very limited and
TO a large extent are dependent upon severe
weather for their existence, 30 much so indeed
that the number OF days which give any opportunity
for sucn enjoyment is very limited Sieighing and
skating are chief among the sports OF the
wintry months, and whenever an opportunity exists
for participating in these popular pastlmes gene
raj turnout is made by those who are able to indulge
In them. Yesterday was carnival day among the
lovers OF sleighing. While pedestrians down town
were laborousy picking their paths over the drifted
snow among the still more unpleasant puddles OF
water which covered the sidewalks, while carmen
were shouting and swearing their slipping, reek-
ing tired ont horses, and while passengers In
cars and stages were cursing that much abused
parsonage the clerk OF the weather large num-
bers Of more fortunate Individuals were bowl
ing over the surface OF the snow IN
the upper parts OF the city and the suburbs rejoicing
that old Mother Earth had once more wrapped her
self in her snowy mantle and provided them with
the opportunity OF scudding along once again upon
its crystallzed surface. Everybody who had sleigh
was out, Of course, and scores OF others who were
not fortunate enough to possess one cheerfuily
parted with their greenbacks to an obliging livery
stable keeper for the honor Of having temporary
ownership OF one. Everything which was upon run
ners was laid under contribution, and as a conse-
quence veilces OF all sizes, shapes, price anu
quality were observable In the crowded thoroughlares
There was the magnificent four-in-hand establish
ment the horses decked in splendid harness, shining
all over with bright metallic m0untngs; the raklSh
looking Portland drawn by some fast trotter whose
quickly ing feet raised mimic snow storm; the
family ssg heavy m ana sp ISps saa ~ o rs
owner the lively cutter reminding one OF swift trav-
elling; the box sleigh, style OF vehicle now becom-
ing very fashionable, the apology Tor Seign IN the
| shape Of some packing case put on runners; the
country Sleigh which carries Its own history In us
very appearance and hundred other sort OF equip
ages different IN shape as IN color and as dner-
| ent in value as In shape.
| The merry jingling, tinging music OF the bells
seemed pervade the air. and in all quarters their
silvcry voices snote upon the ear. Papas were out
with their daughters Who carefully wrapped srsna ID
eyes, oil the pleasure they were experiencing sports
| men ratified along behind their fayorite animals,
showing on their speed as they dashed past slower
stee;s young were out with their sweethearts,
drowning the sound OF the bells with the sweet
OF the field jogged quietly along, watching the sport
and taking mental notes OF who aud what they saw;
of yes yesrdsy, pdSy,s no doubt prompted 70 some
extent by the fear that there could not ce pc
seirnna was fair, but not by any means first class
| On Fifth avenue the sun, which shone quite warmly
In the morning, thawed the snow In many places 50
much as leave the stones qute bare, and even In
| the Park and on the lane there were to be found
| many uncovered spots. The snow was uneven, too.
little but everywhere it very soft and too easily
cut through by the runners to allow the seighng to
| nonei Was there not snow enough and was not the
| day fine? Away with all compAinings! Hitch up
the the gioyes and the muers ana away for the PARK
to see whether an enjoyable time cannot be spent.
New York,s finest thorouehfare was all alive yes.
terday, more especially in the afternoon, with the
cavacade Of pleasure seekers passing along % ana
S wSs general. @ Lovely ladies' whose features are Wen
known and whose beauty is the subject Of conver-
beautiful than they did as they sat in the handsome
| selghs; gallant gentlemen, whose only enjoyment II
e ~ as Teey or q
than they did as they sas wrapped beneath
there can be no place where ladies and gentlemen
| can enjoy themselves better on q nne day than In
tSe cSrniVs up comes the csvscaae away he ny
| ing equipages speed; behind NJ q mighty moving
New YORK must be out to enjoy the general sport and
| all must have chosen Fifth avenue a. the most
pleasant road TO the Park.
In the Park the sleighing was much better than
upon the avenue though even here u was not im-
| feecy mantle. The main roads were all crewd-
| ed throughout the afternoon and wen into
the evening. Here II was not dif1cult TO pick out
many Of best known citizens as they passed to
and ro at least when they were not going 80 fast
i ears and theig own backs. Commodore Vanderbilt
tr0tttng his handsome double team OF bays at a
quiet pace, while near by his son was putting along
was In the box OF handsome sleigh, carefully hand
| ling the ribbons OF four blacks which were very
| splenddly harnessed Otto Coop went nying up the
hill behind q big black trotter that went like
| lightning, and Mr.. waterman was keeping '0ld
| Tomu down to his work In fine style. But on the
procession goes through the Park and still on
ward TO
HARLEM LANE.
Here the scene was remarkably lively, AZ almost
all the persons who lcft the PARK we're behind horses
which could make fast time, or which at any rate
their drivers thought coud do so. Impromptu races
we're the order Of the day all hands, and good
deal OF good-Diannered banter was lndulged In by
| the contestants as they passed and repassed one
another All along the lane up McComb's Dam
and even to High Bridge, the procession
narrow road which runs along BY the Har-
lem river. All the saloons on the roadside
were tlronged and their piazzas were filed with
spectators who amused themselves not only with
watching the performances OF the horses but also
with giving vent 90 somewhat noisy eJaculations
when they saw anything ike trlai OF speed going
on The fun during the entire afternoon was last and
furious and even the falling shadows OF the coming
darkness failed to have the eject Of driving people
hoinewards. Leng after the lamps were lighted the
merry shout, the ringing laugh and the gnglng
befs could be heard reminding the homeward bound
that the carnival was not yet concluded. but paaf
nryht would Ind the lovers Of sleghing stil busy la
the pursuit OF their favorite pleasure.
VEynrtprprS