The New York herald., 1869-01-24
SKATING.

Skating u q very good thing its way, as every
hody who knows anything about 1t Will very readily
conceive anywhere and everywhere but IL Is unfor-
tlnatey one OF that very good kind Of things voucn
nted light-footed humanity by an indulgent Provi-
deAce which depend for their excellence on very
greet number Of circumstances. OF course every
thing that is worth having enjoying has its draw
hacks and depends upon circumstances but there Is
nosport yet known to the goahead rising generation
winch has SO many s.accidcnts' to face as thar of
skating. Rain shine q person can 60 to the
theatre, opera ballroom but not 80 II he wants to
60 skating The clerk OF the weather has all to say
about the matter, and a general thing he has so
much bad TO say about it that the devotees Of the
slippery art very ofen II not LETT out in the cold,
left in very bad urch. This winter has been no
exception to the general rule. No sooner had the
ponds been well frozen over and the Ice presented
an inviting appearance than down came
a snowstorm one day; then, q few days
| afterwards a shower Of rain followed; then
| q "big freeze" which Q heartmeting thaw
] took in hand to the deadhouse of many a skatst
| who had been building icy castles n the air from the
first day Old Boreas blew himself into the winter OF
1862 with his-usual GOODNESS OF manner. It is not
surprising, therefore, that when owing to some un-
accountable forgetfulness on the part OF the au-
th0res that be in atmosphercal regions the ice is
allowed to remain skatable for q whole day, all
tne skaling fraternity, male and female should
throw up their caps and go info ecstaces over the
joyous event Yesterday was OF these occasions
OF gadness in fact 1t was the finest skating day that
the lovers OF the pastime have had since the season
opened. For once they had everything their own
way. The atmosphere was just cold enough to give
nealtnul zest TO the spirits the slOne brightly,
and as for the ice 1t in splendid condition almost
az hard as adamantine rock and as smooth as bur-
n'sheo s'eei' THE p.nx.,.xvs
were OF course, the great attraction for the Masses
and even at as early an hour as nine in the morning
vUa fnEf 1pnl<1
leading to the Park were e'asn Crowded. Sish saas
to the scenes Of the days enjoyment. At noon and
from that time until the gray-coated police ordered
everybody to 20 home and go to bed the lakes were
so packed with constantly moving masses OF good
natured humanity that at times locomofion was
thing OF no small diiiicuty. Indeed, there could
ponds, and although the crush was frghtfu to be-
hold, at least In the eyes OF skater vet every
body seemed to get with everybody else in the most
pleasant manner imaginable. There were to be sure
any number OF collisions that frightened the wits
OF all tne timid BEGINNERS, who gazed with trembling
tural results OF becoming experts-becoming in
fact SO expert as to be able to laugh heartily after
70 require several graceful somersauts and few
additions to chronological science to recover one's
with the Intention Of making day of ii. and a
night OF II. too. II there was no regulation
against nes.oun aiter midnight ice ice carniyas and
how many times he got pitched out OF all equillb-
rum as long as no bones broken and the straps
kept strong and lrm. The dav was beyond all con-
tradctton the most enjoyable one OF the season. no
matter IN what light 1t may be regarded az II GER
anly would not have been had the ladies' not turned
out in such strong and attractive force as to draw
after them nearly all the young men in town who
ii. unnKe Flora McFlImsev have plenty TO wear very
little 10 do and great deal OF time to do IL in. And
whoever knew the ladies to turn out In force when
the day was not worth the t-oubleS
ass~ss- -~.,..- TUE EMplRE RINK
was in the zenith Of i'll glory ali day and up to
late hour OF the night Notwithstanding the accom-
modasions Of the Park the rink. 1t would seem. he's
attractions which appear to be appreciated by those
who like to enjoy themselves like all the rest OF man.
Kind and are willing to pav good price for their
enjoyment. more brilliant assembage OF lady
skaters was never seen at the rink before and as
for lady and gentlemen experts they were as thick
as bees in hive and hundred times more active.
1t may be all very well to talk about the beauty
displayed at balls In suff0cating rooms,
fetid with commingling OF dsagreeing per-
fumes: abont the styles, the fashion, the music;
but there were at the rink yesterday afternoon at
fractions In the way OF beauty style and fashion
fully equal to any attraction any ball ever pro-
duced. There were dresses Of all cuts and hues and
flair ones with golden locks' without number: and
what is more plenty OF red cheeks, guaranteed fast
colors'' by nature which IL more tnan can be said
| OF many balleoers who consider skating lowborn
yllany. There was band OF music discoursing
| sweet melodies during the dav ana evenine, when
| the rink was brilliantly Illuminated. Among other
professionals who exhibited themselves during the
day was Mr. James Meade. who Is TO contest for the
championship with Mr.. Frank Swift, the present
champion, next Tuesday.
FIFTH AVENUE PARK.
corner OF Fifth avenue and Fifty-nnth street. was
also good condition. and very large and fashion
able assemblage OF ladies and gentlemen was pres
this pond from its peculiar position, is always In
a very good state OF preservation, even when the
Park lakes give out. and yesterday 1t partcu-
larry excellent. large number OF the members OF
the New York Skating Club, who have their head
quarters at this pond did their .'prettest on the
irons and were naturally the observed OF all OBJ
servers.r
THE BROOKLYN RISK.
The grand reopening OF the new rink. on Cermont
avenue. near Myrtle, yesterday afternoon, the
signal for rush rnkward and the on the Myr-
ties Of both determined visit this the latest
attraction In the skating line. The Ice was in
excellent condition and the music superior.
There were present many very fashionabiy
attired ladies and gentlemen AT hai-past
subsequeny, during the evening" much merrimeus
and entertainment was afforded by the appearance
and skifu maneuvres OF Frank Swift. the champion
appropriate costume as Falstan, Toodles and the
cAPrroLrxE POND.
The announcement upon the Fulton avenue car
windows yesterday morning advertising the fact
that the ball was up at the Capitoline was almost
supernuous to the denizens OF the city who had the
number OF hundreds fully satisfied themselves on the
.'ice question: there the evening previous, and
had INDUCED to their hearts content in the joyous
gliding DER the CLASSY surface OF the pond named.
Yet the notice proved temptation to again return
TO me scene OF action and buckle on the steel which
morning bore several passengers, chiefly matrons,
Young girls and children. carrying skates upon
49,. eih,or who ttupaticuty sWulttu tcI
arrival at the junction OF Nostrand avenue,
and, then alIghtlng, tripped hastily on TO
| the entrance. With cheeks aglow with the
| ruddy hue Of healthfu exercise and the merry,
musical laugh and shout OF the youngsters and the
zest with which the more maturcd entered upon the
fun, certainly spectacle afforded worthy Of ap-
precation and such a. stole could scarcely fail to
note without sympathetic pleasure. The early part
Of the Saturday appears TO be especially devoted to
| the amusement OF school boys and girls.
/ who may be fairly said TO monopolize
| the largest share OF attention and space upon
such occasions, and 1t Is perfectly astonishing
with what aptitude many OF the smallest boys take
TO the poetry OF motionr and with what rcmarka-
BILE agility they preserve their equilibrium and navi-
gate intricate passages There were several juvenile
experts on the surface at this place Yesterday
/ who went through the .locomotves,r .'on 70 Rich
1 mond" crossing one foot in front OF the o,her),
"watz steps" and other figures, which would sorelv
puzzle many older heads to execute and preserve
i perpendicular. In the afternoon large mbage
present to witness display OF skill by the Brook
lyn skating Club, preliminary to their grand trial Of
skill for the medal, which Is TO come on at the Capt.
toline Wednesday next, the carnival occasion.
/ This club which was organized last year has made