The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-21

The First Day OF the Skating This
Year-Four Hours and a Half On the
Ice-Every Preparation for n Skating
Carnival-Gcneral Dtsa ppOint m emit a st
Night.
The ''ban is up' at last. The glad tidngs have
not yet probably reached all the skating parties
which were made up three months ago; but when
this mornings HERALD meets the eye of
the young lady who has not yet ventured
on the ice with the irons on, she Will, no
doubt, reward that particular young gentleman
who volunteered to instruct her IN the mysteries
cutting her own name on the surface of the Central
Park Lake, that the sooner ne carries out his prom
Use the better for all parties concerned. Skates,
muf1iers, and that peculiar costume in which Dame
Fashion says shall be seen on the ice have been
in readiness for untold time, and the hearts OF the
proprietors are at last glad Yesterday was
THE FIRST DAY
for metropolitan skaters. The lake at Central
Park had been frozen over for some days. but the
snow ana the slush OF Saturday night and the
warm sun OF Sunday disheartcned the votaries Of
the glorious pastime. Then came the dense log OF
yesterday morning, ana with 1t blank despair But
the clear, cold stars Of last night told that Ola
King Frost had not yet babe US final gOodby The
sleet which had ialen, and whoa was frozen over
terday morning, and at halipast ten O'CLOCK notice
was given to the different street railroad companies
tHdt GLeF run tne fet up Oh Tie street.
cars. ana the lake was declared
OPEN FOR SKATERS.
1t was nearly noon before these instructions
were complied with on the principal railroads.
and hence 1t was somewhat late in the day before
those Interested realized that the season for the
winter sport par ercenence had actually
come Notwithstanding, goodiy number OF young
men were to be seen on the ice ut Central
Park during the afternoon, but very few ladies.
Few people expected that the lrOst Of the night
before last was severe enough to permit Of
skating yesterday. The transition was too great
fFf.rV1 lar TOR rf nt lost onAf
magnificent weather OF Sunday. The ice, under
such circumstances, they said, could not be safe;
and only the more adventurous
TOOK A TURN.
At hal-past four O'Clock i'm the afternoon that
peculiar mundane divinity which regulates the
exact time when skating must cease for the nonce
issued his ukase. and down went 'the ball'' at
the Central Park. The skaters left in despair. But
the ball was not lowered on the street cars, as q
good many enterprising but disappointed indi-
viduals Will bear testimony. The flags were
flying. and from six to eight O'Clock the cars whose
crowded by persons under whose arms hung
BRIGHTLY FURNISHED SKATES.
They left their comfortable homes only TO return
Immediately. The fact was that the lake was
being Hooded Should the frost continue TO-
day glorious skating may be expected. The
arrangement has been made for. sKat-
ing carnival tonight. Calcium lights are
beng got ready, and when the sun
goes down this evening, and the street cars have
unlOaded their reights, the woods in the neigh
borhood OF the lake In Central Park will resOund to
may be here remarked that splendid accommoda-
tons will be afforded for the putting and taking
on OF skates in the house erected by the side OF
the lake Tor THIS especial purpose.