The union Democrat., 1871-12-23
Skatins ard slsa,ers.

rein Hall.
The spectators at the rink nor running
complain Of the monotony Of the amusement.
But monotony 70 them. iseasy, rapid learning
and exquisite skating, to those en- wheels.
This difference Of opinion and appreciation, is
chiefly oecasioned By the superiority Of Mr..
Bradford's skate over the Plympton or Kimball
patent. The last two mentioned kinds being
invented apparently, to exercise those muscles
which are seldom, # ever, brought into action,
or to produce and deyelope new ones entirely.
Last winter when the Plynpgon and kim
ball skates were introduced TO our people, II
required weeks Of constant practice to become
able 10 stand on the skates at all. But upon
the improved Bradford skate. those who never
saw Ice, skate or boot on rollers on the
first attempt, skate right off withous any
stumbling, sorambling or sprawling about.
Hence the spectator considers it monotonous,
Of course. because they witness nothing but
good skating
But II is far more interesting and satisfac-
tory to be able 10 skate Us we'll with week s
practice, as those do upon the kimball skates
with years experience. And yet, unless a
PERSONS distinguishing faculties are blunted
and coarse, there can be no monotony in q
skating rink. For if there is place IN the
social world more calculated to deyelope and
exhibit the peculiarities and eceentriciies Of
manner, disposition and character, l fail to
find it. We have nothing, that will do out
here, near Tuttletown.
There is not popularity Of manner, move
ment, dress, conversation or any other mark
ed feature Of Individuality, but may be seen
here, more strikingly exhibited than when re-
produced upon the stage, even in the language
Of Shakespeare.
If variety, in every variety, IS monotony,
then monotony is not properly defined in my
dictionary. Here we find upon wheels, the
white naxen head of childhood and the silvery
head of age. The close thick curly head of
youth and Innocence and the naked scalp Of
iniquity and age. Here we find the ponder
wisdom and superiority; and the joyous, hap
py, garrulous, laughing manifestations of I'M
conscious innocence and worth. Here we
find the vestments of the pulpit, the ermine
Of the judiciary, the robes of wealth end the
Jewels of self constituted aristocracy, side by
side with their antipodes, and often suffering
by Just comparison. Is this monotony?
Now take the department Of skaters and
spectators. Some are distinguished here, as
everywhere, by every movement, turn and
gesture Of extreme selfshness, skating solta-
~ and alone, enjoying their ride, careless of
the comfort or pleasure of those around them,
jumping over those who may have fallen in
their way, neverstopping to assist even lady:
and frequently running fall tilt against some
garrulous old matron, who perhaps has no
other amusement than standing in peoples
way and listening to the music of her own
voice.
Others are as remarkable for their extreme,
selfsaerifcing politeness and gentility. Their
sole ambition and endeavor. being to
contribute to the comfort and pleasure of
others. They never skate alone, are always
engaged in generously assisting the ladies,
from four years cid to seventy. They will
risk breaking their necks, or run through the
side of the rink, in thoir eager endeavor to
assist some fallen lady to her feet. Can vari-
ETY. like this be called monotony?
Now in skating, we find some, who sym
bolize the whirlwind, and others the signing
of the gentle breeze. Some appear to be lay
ing out'a sack for a Virginia fence, others 8
Geographic line. Some resemble in speed q
locomotive in its downward course ona White
Mountain grade, others glide along like a
swan. that would not cause ripple upon the
bosom of Mirror Lake.
To illustrate styles of skating, we viii de-
scribe o few Of the most noted. First and
most remarkable in a large crowd Of small
people is Professor Ny, (as he is called),
with head erect, sparkling eyes ana flowing
whiskers, he strides along reminding one of
the Colossus at Rhodes. When he elevates
enc of his ponderous feet, full section Of the
floor appears TO be for an instant removed. lie
never falls. Indeed it would be difficult for
him to get on either side, in front Of, or be-
hiud those feet-thoso feet.
The next. conspicuous character, is Profess
sor Ny, who skuds around the room like
a crazy spider, with one hand on each knee,
shualing, and skufiing, and squeaking, and
whistling-trying to see how many times he
can 20 around the room in a second. Speed
alone being the object Of his ambition.
The next remarkableind is the dapper
pedagogue, who with studied Indifference
and melancholy isolation, squirms, and
wiggles, and vibrates, il his attempts at
gracefulness. But grace of form and move
ment are denied the tadpole." Hence his
efforts are vain. lie has rather too much cor
pulency aud not q su1ieiency of leg, to com
pete With the Deputy Clerk, who In his back
ward movement out does ram in his pre-
paration for attack. In this backward move