The New York herald., 1872-12-13
THE SKATING SEASON.
Preparations for the Coming sport-whst the
Park Commissioners are Doing and What the
Public Wsnt-Ths Fancy Skaters and
Their Exclusive Pretensious- Pri-
vate Ponds and the Duck Ponds
and the Other Ponds


The cold snap yesterday had wonderfully pleas
ing enect upon at least one particular portioa ~
the community who don't care snap about cosd
snaps-viz.. that exceedingly lively fraternity ~
young and old folks commonly known as skatera
The fact is that they are always In the oest -
humor when other people who don't fancy their
pastime-or who can't for the life OF them make
out where all the fun comes In when the ball is
up-are in the dumps about the severity Of the
weather. As general thing the skaters have to
wat-at least they have had for the past few
years to wat-until after Christmas In order TO
ENJOY themselves to their hearts content
ON THE IRONS.
for even "Od Probabilities" has not as yet learned
how to make the 'season" come along early
enough to crafty the whims and wishes OF the
anxious ones. 1t can be readily imagined there
fore, with what hurrah the youngsters especially
welcome downright freeze To be sure. In the
suburbs the skaters have already had a splendid
time oft, Jack Frost having couple OF weeks ago
paid visit to the interior, 1t Is supposed only ON
tour of inspection; but the city ponds somehow
are always the last to be paid attention 10. and
Jack never succeeds In getting them just A. he
wants them until the mercury falls ten or ntecu
degrees below the Fahrenheit freezing point. The
success of
THE FREEZE
yesterday was exceedingly encouraging, and II is
quite possible that If the thermometer screws are
kept down at twenty degrees above zero for three
days longer the city folks will have high old time
Oft in the skating line. 1t Is not too much to say
that the season this year will be fully as brilliant
as in years past, although 1t is said by the skate
manufacturers, who are truthful enough to say
just what Is what about the matter, business or nc
business that
THE PRESENT OUTLOOK
Is not very good one. II should be borne in
mind that there Is really not 0ne-thirreenth part
of .he room for the enjoyment Of skating that
there was few years ago within the city limits.
Private ponds were wont to abound on the ave-
nues in abundance above Thlrteth street and be-
low the Park. These owed their existence to tho
fact that on almost every block there was an
empty lot. which spectators easily managed to
hire for small RENTAL and which. being filled with
water were converted into skating resorts OF the
most profitable kind the first time q good unmis-
taxable, earnest frost set in. The empty lots Of
this character on the avenues are no more at pres
ent, the marble and brown stone fronts having for
all time hidden them from sight, 1t Is true that
there are many lots way to the east side OF town
that could be easily turned to account in
THE PRIVATE POND LINE;
but skaters OF the west side, and in fact. Of the
respectable mid sections OF the city, cannot be IN
duced TO go further east than Filth avenue Tor the
Winter sport. The Rink on Third avenue is an
exception 20 the rule Of course; but as It can be
SeC uOWu as u covered pOnu, anu as d SOTI OI per-
manency that may resist the tnroad OF the build
ing contractors for years to come, 1t may be put
out OF the question at present. The private ponds
having become beautifully less year by year it is, OF
course, necessity that even the exclusives should
turn their attention to
THE CENTRAL PARK LAKES
which are open to all, and which are always kept
In better order than any private exposed pond
canbe. The management OF the arrangements
this year, as formerly, Is to be under the Park
Commissioners; and although Mr.. Green may come
IN occasionally during the Winter to practice econ.
more than once week, it is the general belief that
the public will be able to enjoy themselves heartily
The houses at the large ana small lakes @ a. are areaay
Monday next, at the very latest They are in every
respect the same as last Winter-the same door
ways, the same windows, the same
Il Is he Desire of ne
that the restaurant should be conducted on the
cheap and not nasty plan this year, and to that
end it Will be under the control OF Park cmDloye.
who has already an interest in another part of the
economy -planner Of the Commission.
THE USUAL ACCOMMODATIONS
for the letting OF skates will be afforded, and the
youngsters who will be allowed to "put on yer
skeats" will wear badge OF honor and be allowed
"hitchin' on the irons" Due attention, it should
be mentioned will be paid to the comforts Of the
ladies', and lady attendants att ants, will always
everything s as comfortable as possible. The pond
at the upper extremity of the Park will also be
properly cared for, and Harlemites win find nothing
to grumble ut, which will be very good for Harlem
1t may be of interest to the skating fraternity gen.
orally to state just here that there is movement
on foot to deprive them OF the free use Of all the
lake boundaries. 1t was started by a few fancy
fellows, who think that they skate so much better
than all the rest OF the world that they should not
be expected to skate where the great mass of the
skaters are wont to enjoy themselves. In other
words they want the commissioners to
SET ASIDE PORTION
OF one OF the lakes for their exclusive use. TO say
the least this proposition Is on par WI with taat
who wanted one Of the lakes cleared once week
for him to exhibit himself before the people "for
their instruction" 1t is almost needless to say
that the Commissioners should pay no attention to
the wishes OF these noodles. The lakes belong TO
the people, and the masses have o right to every
part of them Indeed the Commissioners have no
right whatever to discriminate as between any
parties In such a matter: One thing ls certain,
do not call themselves "iancy" can OF themselves
easily break down the excusiveness without having
OF the break down become wiser men for another
winter. But even though the commissioners
feel inclined to ID the the
where the dividing line Is to be drawn between
fancy and non-ancy skaters? The idea that be.
cause some silly fellow can kick up his heels,
like donkey, and go through all sorts OF gyra-
tions without breaking his villanous neck, he
should be given an exclusive portion OF the pub
on the face OF it, If there is some duck pond in
some our OF the way place where the signt-seers
could not go in crowds,
might be given the exclusive use Off but as their
allu Is 10 SHOW themselves TdLlleT IHuH W enjoy
themselves, this disposal Of them would be re-
ceived with only gnashing OF teeth. once for all,
Ii should be borne in mind that the Park lakes
crowded to excess in winter; that the crowds go
there to enjoy themselves, and that to set of
portion of the lakes for any particular parties
would only be limiting the means already too
limited Tor the public enjoyment.
THE SIGNALS
for the skating days this year will be hung out
not only from the arsenal but from the oDserva-
tory tower. which can Oe seen from all points.
In Brooklyn the preparations for the Winter have
been all completed and the public will find every
thing in appie-pie order The Capitoline and the
Union ponds will afford the cid comforts, as usual.
and the good Brookynites have, all things consid-
cred, good reason to expect
AN ENJOYABLE SEASON.
It is understood tnat efforts are being made to
have the Rink, on Third avenue put in shape for
the season, soon possible, and II every promise
be not broken, to the ear the admission fees will be
much lower than in former years. In conclusion
1t must be said that every indication points to the
INF fral llufG uexlne Kha