The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-29
THE sLEIGHTNG CARNIVAL.


The week that has passed has been one OF great
excitement ana jolity the broad avenues OF Gen.
tral PARK and the roads beyond. From the far
northwest boon had come IN the shape of a heavy
foil OF snow, which was richly valued and industri-
ously taken advantage OF by the owners or fast
horses. Seighs OF oil kinds, sizes and shapes had
long been In order, and IL only renamed 10 have
snow shoes put the horses, and that DONE all was
ready, and the jolly drivers OF Gotham sailed out
en- mdsse.
In former years "things" clumsy in shape and model
have been used as slegns; but within past few win
tiers the old '.Albanes' have given place to light
graceful creations OF the mechanics SKILL lined with
velvet cushions and painted in the highest style OF
art. 1t is the fashion TO use robes only in 'front.'
the seighs being upholstered and, instead OF long,
clumsy strings OF bells light open ones with sivery
sound, are attached to pole shafts. A knowing
driver, II accompanied. sits on the lert of his Sleigh
and In that position has better view OF the road
before him. Again. orses instead OF .balling up''
and going YEARLY onward, slipping and sliding,
have preparation OF gutta percha put around the
sole Of the foot that enables them to take up their
feet free from snow, and prevents them from throw
ing balls OF Ice into the faces the occupants Of the
sleigh. All this those verscd in 'noble horseman-
Ship practice and the others Will come to know in
time.
Owing TO the hardness and SmoothneSs OF the
Park roads there is good slelghIng them when
the roads beyond are almost bare; and 1t seems
strange that the Park Commissioners who have for
the general public museums menageries and skat-
ing ponds, should have accommodation for those
who like TO indulge In speeding their horses but
compel them to go at all times a funeral pace.
A part OF the Park should be set aside during
seighing. say from the Lake to the statue or Com
merce, near the Eighth avenue entrance, where,
n la m car lIinv
drive and speed one way, those who have fast horses
can indulge themselves. We will venture to saw
that such a privilege would not be abused and
would prove source OF great pleasure and gratif-
cation to gentlemen who pay high prices for speed
and have 10 place to show 1t. They are all tax.
payers too, remember. :r~
Well the bells have been merrity ringing; hun.
dreds, and even, 1t seems, thousands, OF seighs
have issued from the various stables, private and
public, and proceeding to houses IN all parts Of the
city, have taken aboard their freights OF happy NOR
tails. What gay tnrong Single sleighs and double
ones drawn by one, Two, three, four five and six
horses. Family selghs, with father mother, bloom
ing daughters and gallant sons. John and Peter
covered with buttons, seated the box their coun-
tenances full OF the responsibility Of the occa-
sion. Lovers with their lady loves and
"b'hoys' with their gals" All nations
and all countries seemed July represented, and
now, faithful chronicler5, we proceed to give a
panoramic pen sketch OF what has transpred and OF
the dolngs OF the celebrities who have been enjoying
themselves, promising by saying that the excite
ment Of sleigning casts aside all thoughts Of cold
and sends the blood tlngling and warm through the
veins even OF an old man.
Prominent among the swiftly moving throng goes
the well known face and form OF the great railroad
king, Commodore Vanderbilt, drawn by q sorreI
team that he has chosen from his stable OF horses
The Commodore is a cOnsummate horseman, and
drives with seeming recklessness ana abandon
that shows nerve aud tact. lie loves good horse,
and knows one, too, at sight. His William,
seated behind fast black, spies the old gentleman
and 'goes for him" with rush, and down the road
at merry gait rattle father and son. Captain Jake
Vanderbilt brother OF the Commodore and not
one wnlt less hcrseman, is seated behind small
but very speedy PAIR or blacks ready at moments
notice 10 take up the gage OF battle against any other
team or single trotter, and we would advise all who
have emily mediocrlty OF speed 10 let MIN alone or
they Will get beaten.
known throughout the length and bread,h OF this
continent AZ an admlrer Of speedy horsefiesh, ap
pears upon The scene. His horses have "a world-
WIDE reputation, and all within sight are on the
Cui cfre to see something marvellous, and they
beauty ana speed-the daughter OF Ethan and Poca-
honIas-POcanontas the trOtter. She darts up the
road. impelled by his hand and voice, like meteor
and Ben Mace, who has come out with the stallion
Logan 10 beat all corners, pulls up, and, shaking ms
heac, THINKS 1t would be very lOOllsh thing 10
'tackler her, Tor he driven her himself mile In
2:lS.
A. r. Phyfe, seated behind that staunch friend OF
his, the splendid brown mare Lady Lockwood, goes
up the road at rapid gait, eicltlng from an enthu-
slaStc Hbernlan who Is an attentive observer, the
remark, 'Snure she's q divL wild wings"
Thomas p. Wallace, the owner OF many fast anu
splendid animals, was enjoying htnsef behind tiat
| beauty, Lady Ella, who Is daughter Of old HANDLE
tonan. HATCH with Lew Petit, Is after Weaser with
| Income but Income seems to be too many guns for
him. Thicker and thicker they come, and the fun
| grows fast anu furious We have hard work to re-
cognize all, but among the many passing and re-
passing We note Eph. simmons with Toby Candour;
Chester Summons behind Commodore Mutt ana
mate; Ned Jones, with Cricket aud White Heels;
Frank Work. with mis- long strding sOrrel mare;
| General Baxter, with bay geding Colonel Price;
i GtlalcA lnsata Inn md