The New York herald., 1872-12-22
SKATING.


The Skating Qucstion-Tho "Fsncy Fel-
low'' Rises to Explain and Tells sPlain
Skafcr" What He Knows.
NEW YORK; Dec 49, 1872.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
That my letter upon 'The Skating Question"
should elicit q reply was expected; but that 1t
should emanate from who is SO completely
misinformed OF the desires Of the good skaters
am surprised.
"Plain Skater" says, ~ happen to know that the
fancy iellows'' petition to the commissioners re-
lates simply to the securing OF portion Of OF
the two lakes. They did not ask for OF the lit
tie outofthe-way ponds" Allow me, in all kind
ness, to say to this benighted 'Plain Skater" that
he don't "happen TO know and II he win call upon
the Commissioners and inquire, they will convince
him that he Is aboring under delusion.
The application was made by members OF the two
only skating CLUBS in the city for place to be de-
voted to good skaters within the limits OF the Park
gentleman connected with the department pro-
posed to the Board that they should be granted
the use Of the upper end Of the Filth avenue and
for the past two skating seasons, the only "duck
pond, except the curriers' pond, In the Park and
which would have been entirely satisfactory to the
applicants. Will 'Pain Skater" tell me that this
is depriving any one Of enjoyment Or will he or
any other person kindly inform me OF the position
fany other "duck pond'' In the Park, that the pro-
fcient skaters may apply for the same and be thus
enabled to enjoy their skating in peaccs
The adoption OF the title .'iancy skater'' was in
evitable, although distasteful rendered so by the
forced classification OF the reporters but allow me
to say that nothing is so obnoxious to the ears OF
proficient or accomplished skater the titles
champion skater" and professional and during
the years that have been before the public as
skating editor nothing can be found OF my writing
concerning this class save depreciation Of these
properly called 'fancy" skaters. II it Is supposed
that am OF that class as thus understood, plain
Skater" is In error. But the "fancy skaters" are
greatly in the minority and 1t is only that class
who seek cheap popularity and subsequently
az Vod e 81 b
may, they cannot do 1t upon the Park ponds at
present.
SAID OF them'-the curers-''if they had asked to
have portion OF the big lakes set aside for their
,h tins ne Is d aSa u s
says, and occupied portion Of one OF the large
ponds several seasons. What nexta Let our
ponds" which the good skaters "can get Tor the
mere asking" and allow me to say to him that
ssaer Was Proficient there would be Hn
formity OF skating, and the ponds would accommo-
date more people instead cf as he states II, less
My 'splain" friend studiOusy avoids the ques-
ton concerning the lady skaters. Why This
was one reason why the application was made.
Would without trepida alton, allow his daughter to
60 to the Park, especially when he Is informed
pGss Is o
dies will he tell me what will become Of the popu-
larity OF skatings
that 'when they go to Rome they should do as the
Romans do" can only be interpreted thus:-That
it is wrong for accomplished skaters skate well
because the majority do not, thus onering the
laurel for the brow OF ignorance.
Now Mr. Editor, aRht this question as they may,
must be corrected or our ponds VIII be, as during
the past few years, gradually deserted by best
greatest good to the greatest number" recognize
'vox Populi" as meaning. not the voice OF plain"
ss nS
that II our Scotch friends, from whom would not
detract one iota, are worthy OF consideration,
most popular sport Of the two, as well
US skating room enough by making more es ponds in
the vast expanse Of the Park, not because "Plain
skater" or my equally plain self say the ponds are
overcrowded, but because II Is the voice OF the
MARVIN R. CLARK.
An Old Park Skater Tells His story-He
Objects to the "Fancy Fellows'" De-
mands.
NEW YORK. Dec. II, 1872
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
As this question seems to be agtating the minds
Of the skating fraternity deem it my duty as an
slmost constant hGb5tue OF the Park since skating
was inaugurated there, Of making q few re-
marks in reply to the letter OF Mr.. Marvin
skaters' have NO privileges. 1t is quite the con-
trary. Your reporter. think, thoroughly under
stands the object Of these fancy men in trying
TO get part OF one OF the lakes for their exclusive
use.
Almost every one familiar with the sport must
have noticed the pains that 'fancy skatersr take
In showing on their proficiency whenever there is
any one to look at them, and all old skaters must
remember how unpopular the ladies' Pond used
to be. There was always q crowd around the
fancy boys. and the consequence was large cracks
and the Ice 1ull OF water. Even the good skaters
then were not satisfied but would come out on the
large pond with the peope-and why Because
they found better ice, could crafty their vanity
more and nave plenty Of room for plain skating.
MIR. Clark says the public are Indebted to the
''fancy iellowsn for what they know about skating
That is very true. don't think these skaters are
a selfish class, but if they have pond exclusively
to themselves how are the public going to learn to
skate?
He also says that no good skater can visit the
Park ponds especially II IL be lady, without hear.
ing vulgar and obscene remarks. That is the ex-
ception, and not the rule l have skated there
ever since the Park opened, and don't think there
is q spot in existence where such numbers conpre-
gate that you see so many orderly and wen be.
haved people. EN-.