The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-05


tive geometry como sections, that IL may wei
excite wonder that all the graces and nourishe
traced by tine hand can, on an enlarged scale, Dt
more beautifully and artsiically written in the wate
at thirty two degrees below zero oy tiaileu move
mens OF the ooi NO suca ieas W t peeI
Scott who makes his principal characters masters IL
the tourney. yctors with tne lance alu Javeln ana a
gular as II may seem, no modern writer mas exalted
this sport OF sports 10 the sphere where II belongs
and to which it is fast drifting But the great pro
gress IL Is making, the development IN the manufac.
lures and all the recent improvements promise thai
II VIII yet sweep over the country with that fever
which yearly Intermlts with base ball and cricket
There is peculiar fascination surrounding u that
yachting, boating, the turf, or. indeed, the table.
Then IT is the cheapest OF all substantial sports, one
OF the healthlest and subject only to that tickle
master OF the marners the weather. But the
ingenious methods which OF late years have been
adopted to produce artificial climates bring
much assistance to skating ponds and Kinks.
The supplies OF water can be vared, the
ice can DE hooded, an evanescent torrent OF ram
can be kept out by the roof, which likewise pre-
vents the hard stratihcauon Of snow as on uncov-
cred ponds All OF these gradual inundatlons com
bined have produced rapid progress, and skaters
have only to wait for That Impossible era when
whole lakes OF water can be frozen over in mid
ton OF the science; and this Will at tue precise
date when metals are transmitted, the Philosophers
stone Is discovered and the boon OF perpetual youth
twas not TIL 1852, when the Park opened the
1 magnificent pond at Fifth avenue and t1ity -nntn
atreet that the skate trade began 70 rpen into Its
| present healthy maturity. IRIS resort Afforded
nne heid for the exercise and the consequence was
| that skaters increased and multiplied. From that
date there has been no complaint among
manufacturers. About ten years since club skate
| was invented by Mr.. Brady, OF the Post once, anu
| It's patent right was ootained. Another was also
made py Coe Il Snlnen, OF Stratiord. Conn, doing
| away with the use OF straps, and providing for
| fastening by clamps and other metal attachments
at the heel. The inventors were poor III purse and
| business talents. Enterprising firms seized upon
the invention and put 1t 10 use. Litigation ensued.
| The result was that The sale and manufacture be-
| came mixed up in law. An assignment has lately
/
| question Of ownership has finally been amicaby
| settled Under this compromise the principal
dealers are issuing skates in considerable variety.
| AS the invention relates to attachments without
straps 10 the clamp, ali club skates which are tnus
the asslgnees.
Principal among the skates manufactured In this
line are those OF Barney Berry, styled and cassl-
fed as the Club, American Rink and Plated skates,
all OF the same pattern, but differing only IN finish.
according 10 the three grades Of quality They are
made III varying sizes OF $. SIX, g. w, TO- l0A, IL
and II /, inches The skate consists OF blade OF
malleable STEEL well proven ana highly polished,
with beve!led edges, q broad and sharpened lace
running nearly Its entire length The latest improve
and one aft, which allow the skater to perform more
difficult evolutons than formerly, and present new
means OF checking or altering tnel direction OF
travel The attachment for fastening consists
Of Clamp. which embraces the fore
by wrench. The clamp grips and holds
the skate firmly to the sole OF The boot At The heel
steel button must be mor,ised in the bottom OF the
shoe and socket therein contained ADMITS a small
steel post with head fanse, which, by a lateral
movement of the skate after Its insertion, completes
the fastening me plates for the foot both IN front
and rear. are metallic, and are finished according to
quality and price AS whole the SKATE Is durable,
line IN appearance AND IS believed by to he the
most perfect manufactured
Another style OF ska.e is that OF Phineas Smith,
which has lastenngS similar to those or Barney &
Berry, but modified sufficiently to make the clamp
attachment somewhat superior, Instead VI q fixed
clamp that moves by turn OF the Key, causing the
screw TO revolve, which produces the grip
on the sole OF the shoe, this feature is divided
into two parts. On one side portion of the clamp
can be permanently adjusted to the foot, aud on
the other the fixture must be mouiled every
time tue skate is put on. Mr. Smith has also pat.
ented new heel button, which he claims as an I'M.
provement by dispensing with the use OF trouble
some washers. These skates are issued In three
degrees OF finish and are known as the New York
Several other kinds OF club skates are in the mar
ket. Wnslow's patent club skate, known as the
RINK skate, is manufactured In great variety OF
patterns. The blades are manufactured OF welded
Steel, carefully hardened. But IN hardly any essen
tla particular DO they differ from the other club
skates described. And here It would be proper 10
say that all club skates are, without doubt, the
practically having been patented by the original
Inventors years ago, and whatever improvements
nave been claimed since are only the merest
aa vs. Way ssr the ssn
! raj plan or determine any new feature
either OF adjustment or finish. There Is also SKATE
styed the New YORK RINK skate" manufactured
under the further name OF the star skate" by Peck
Snyder, which IS just as good as the rest but no
BETTER Besides the firms mentioned the houses OF
| the Union Hardware company, frederick Stevens
Il. G. stones co. and Z. Il. j. Ii. Dawson, located
In dlfe et parts Of the country sell club skates OF
superior Kind. Different from all other KINDS OF club
skates IS the 'Acme" club skate The foot pates are
the same as in other club skates but 1t Ii attached
by spring movement, which, with one lateral mo-
uon nxes 1t in its place without the aid OF keys,
plates, screws any external assistance whatever.
The prices. according to finish, Six, seven
and ten dollars. In mentioning the skates we
nave It win be seen that a high order of iinisn, a
rare degree oil beauty and advanced state of manu-
introduced this winter.
SKATING CLUES.
There are but two recognized and well known
skating CLUBS ~ New YORK and vicinity, and these
latter a. an organization has been little before the
pubic, and Its operations are therefore unknown to
lame me New YORK Club, on the contrary has
finest skaters IN the Union. 1t was formed III the
winter Of 1893 and since that date has enrolled as
CLUB and 1t starts out on It's sixth year with atter
ing prospects. Its object is and has been to pro-
mote the art OF skating. No costumes or uniforms
OF any description are used; but distinction Is made
by means OF badges, the oifcers wearing gold with
white enamel, aud the privates gold with blue
enamel Inc skating pond OF the CLUB this year will
be at Forty-slxth street and Fifth avenue under the
caarge Of NJ. A. McAnian The president Is MIR. A.
]. Ddpignac.
THE PARK PONDS.
Active preparations are being made ut the Park TO
give skaters all the advantages possible for pro-
longed season. ine commissioners with commend
able despatch and enterprise, are providing new
booths ana are erecting tine structure at the
western beach OF the lake to accommodate the
Indulge in movements of the foot. This structure
the SWISS cottage style OF architecture, is three
stories high in the nam portion and but one In the
wings. IL Is 100 feet long by forty wide, and con-
talns commodious kitchen In the rear, elegant
Offices and spacious parors for ladies' and gentle
men. Besides these and the Indispensable apart
rnents, refreshment room OF large proper lions
wlll supply everything necessary ~ that line In
external appearance the building VIII he exceedingly
attractive, and Ii marked feature In the
winter scenery at THIS point. The Ice
Will be reached ny separate bridge by the ladies,
and their outlook from the second story VIII AFFORD
clear view OF the entire prospect The nearest and
most accessible OF the ponds at the PARK the one
situated at the corner OF Fitynnth street and Fifth
avenue. The usual houses are being put up here as
| they also at the Harlem lake, at 10th street.
Near Seventytnird street and Filth avenue the Orna-
mental water is being provided with the necessary
buildings. Usually at the Park the method OF prepar
ing the Ice for skaters Is as with other
faces Of the Ii covered IL