The New York herald., 1872-12-30
SKATING.

Yesterday at tho Fark-Thc Ponds
Greatly Crowded-Fun and Frolic ON
tho ssRinging Stccl.'
The gayest OF times was experienced by the
skating fraternity yesterday at the Park. No such
gathering has before been recorded this season.
and though perhaps. larger crowds have been
present on the several ponds during the past two
or three years, there was never observed such
respectable thrOng nor one that SO heartily appre
ciated the privileges extended them. Early in the
morning men, women and children commenced to
visit the lake in Scores and before there were
four or.tye hundred bent on all the fun that the
occasion could possibly furnish Many Of these
were very proficient In the art and, having
considerable ''elbOw roOm," displayed their skill
to appreciattve l0okers-on. At two o'cloc K there
was such an increase OF visitors that both ponds
were black with them. Young gentlemen came
with their sisters husbands with their wives little
boys with their pretty-faced and sweetly dressed
smaller sisters, and beaus escorted bellies first to
the waiting rooms where their skates were ad-
justed, and then to the ice. where one and all
fairly revelled in the enjoyment Of the hour. While
at this time Il wss thought that the erewa had M
reached its maximum number, and no more Seek.
ers after the joyousness impaired by skating could
be left in the city, the visitors stin continued, and
at three O'Clock there was sucn an unprecedented
jam all over the lake that one was compelled to
be quick-sghted and most excellent artist on the
"ringing steel' to avoid frequent collisions. Acct
dental falls were very numerous, but those tniortu.
nate in this particular were good-natured to q
fault, and not hasty word was uttered. ff
1t Is diniculr at all times to estimate with any de-
gree Of accuracy the number in gathering of this
nature but t viii not be far out Of the way to de-
clare that at the hour last mentioned there were
demand continued oil the sftemoon for the chairs.
which are let at small sum, and those children
and ladies who did not skate were sent whizzing
oh
seemed to be more than ordinarily gratifying to
across the Ice, and. by their sheer temerlty made
men and women give Them all the room they desired.
How they laughed and how they cut up al!
OF modesty which well-bred children at all times
exhbir, can only be known BY those present On
OF ladies and gentlemen who gazed with unmis-
taxable expressions Of satisfaction upon the
had It's many Sign and the upper Stories a'sS q
the large refreshment building were thronged
with scores; whs S ss wndoMs TGs y. for
Of the proprietor Of the salCon., VINO elt that at
last the harvest time Tor him had come. 9s satiiF
As usual on the sabbath aud holidays, the lamps
we're net lighted last evening, causing the great
not before advised Of this standing order OF the
Park Commissioners, and OF course felt greatly
that they could NOT s continue to
leave It has been determined BY the Commits
sioncrs to set apart the hve or SIX acres OF Ice
known as the .sEast BAY for the exclusive use Of
the fancy figure skaters. It win be In readiness
tireiy removed, when the necessary sIsnSoards
viii be placed In conspicuous localities for the
ts OF a are ne Is 20
the manner In which they discharge their duties.
This was marked more particularly yesterday, as
they were rendering valuable aid and imparting
Information almost increasingly. 1i sel.k k-4