The New York herald., 1874-12-27
SKATING IN THE PARK.

| THE WINTER SPORT NAUGURATED YESTERDAY
WITH GREAT GAYErY.
The skating season was inaugurated in the
Park yesterday The 'ball' went up to the head
OF the Museum nagstar early In the morning, and
in an hour after Minnie and Tom, and Jacky and
Sissy, well as every other boy and girl IN New
York. seemed to have learned the good news.
'Hallool the Dal's up; amt that bully?" shouted
scores OF youngsters and in less time than 1t
taxes to tell 1t they had rushed home and obtained
the consent OF their mothers to visit the Park,
thus helping to make up that "gay and festive
scene" which presented itself to the older visitors
long before noon. 1t was the old story-skating
was such an enjoyable amusement. Everybody
that knew OF 1t was on hand. They came from
divers directions and by devious ways, judging from
their make up. Rough and ready were a few but
the mass looked spruce and healthy and well cared
for-that character Of a throng one mentally re-
marks when he sees 1t, "Tnese people have
friends" As the afternoon advanced the squad
rons OF pleasure seekers increased, and at three
O'Clock the picture on the lake was to be
rememhered. The temperature was delightful for
the sport The healthy, liie-giying oxygen OF The
atmosphere more than usually exniiarating,
and 1t seemed TO mpart 10 all feeling OF oyousness
good viii that rendered the social gathering OF
the assemDlage one that was really pleasant lor
a philantnroplst to contemplate. IL was
CHEEKY, moving throng. ceaseess panorama
swift Tying and varied as Kaleidoscope
glimpse. All the afternoon and into the
night the sport went on. The occasion was charm
ing for the peaux aud bellies. Such were early TO
arrive and late to depart. What cared they for
the bare and cheerless landscape Fatigue was
out OF the question So long as tney could, nand
In hand, whir rom one end oil the lake 10 the
other, and their laughter keep time with the
music OF their steel-clad leet they were content.
Not until the rain came on, when the Ice
lights were put out did they think ofeaving. The
Keen observer would notice during the day and
evening that there were large NUMBER oi sus
picious lalls by those OF the fair sex VINO had mas
rt,ftr rf OF
quence OF sucn tumbes, when necessitates
taking the PROSTATE girl around the waist TO
recovers from the sudden shock-which
they are somehow or other slow TO do-seemed to
be a special attraction OF Itsel. Then, too, the
jolly fun tnat comes from party OF hall dozen
who are old trends can hardly be described. One
can be so free without rudeness, SO miscnivous
without ill-wl 20 intimate without Objectionable
familiarity, and so afectlonate without "serious
intentons'' on well ordered crowded and lighted
skating ponds, such as those at The PARK, that
really II would be difficult to find any where and at
any time such thorough and legitimate enjoyment.
Large as was the crowd and good humored and
Kindly disposed as were young and old, there was
one great drawback which somewhat marred the
occasion That was want OF good Ice. 1t was soft
ana snowy. The storm oil last Sunday mad depos.
tied nine or ten inches OF snow on the TWO and
a naf inches OF clear ice then on the ponds when
were hooded, as IL could not be removed THIS
was at once frozen and, OF course, was easily cut
through by the sharp skates. still the braclng,
healrh-givlng sport was greatly appreciated
though It might have been more fully enjoyed If
the Ice had been harder and smoother.
ness for the occasion. All the relreshment houses
were in readiness, and the venders OF oranges
cakes, beer aud apples In their places ready Tor
those who desired to patronize them. The man
who lends skates for a consideration was also
there, aud the Ice lights had been their places
for some time. ready TO let loose their mood
OF light so soon night set In. Plenty of seats to
accommodate the weary and the lockers on were
also to be found in fact, everything had been fully
prepared for the convenience OF the anticipated
crowds The rues posted about the ponds
guidance TO the skaters, and also to govern them,
are as ioows:-
20 the ice except by the paths provided for
Use the scrapers the gangplank before stepping
DO not drop any tobacco cigar stumps paper nut.
shells or any other articles on the ice 49,
Avod crowds Ice is liable to crack even when II Is
thick and If crowd one side Of cake Of ice
1t may suddenly tip and endanger the lives OF all upon
it,
DO not 60 near the men engaged in cleaning the ice
Cautions from a Par& keeper should be inmedMHy
complied with.
The want civil attention the charging Of more
than prescribed the refreshnent, chair or
skate houses should be reported 70 tue Captain OF the
Park keepers the Superinten dent OF the PARK
A ball Will be hosten on the nagstan at the Museum
whenever the ice is in fair condition for skating on
either the lake the pond. and the hagstaf at
Mount ST Vincent when the ice on the Harlem Lake Is
III condition Tor skating
ladies' ottage AT the pond and at the south beach Of
the lakcand at the cottage at Harlem Lake whenever
persons can 70 upon the Ice with safety skate with
out seriously injuring
a red Gag hoscd the flagstaff indicates that it Is
danaerons 10 20 upon the ice.