Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1876-02-09

Q AS was previously announced
j: Messrs. Lee & Dillingham; gave al
exhibition of their professional skat
ing, at the skating rink of Collin,
e. Kelsey, on Friday and Saturday
evenings of last week. On Saturday
afternoon an exhibition was giver
. to the children.
This entertainment was the best
of the kind that we have had the
pleasure of attending. The skill
displayed by Messrs. Lee & Dilling-
ham far exceeded our expectations,
and we have no hesitation in de-
claring them to be in the foremost
rank Of professional skaters. Their
movements were easy and graceful ;
they kept time with each other
and the music without q break, and
their many figures, both odd and
graceful, frequently elected from
the audience expressions of ap-
proval. Their double movements
were performed with the ease and
regularity of clock work, and it
was wonderful to see them perform
their intricate movements without
getting their legs entangled. In
one figure, where they are tied
back to back, one skating back
wards and the other forwards, it
must have required considerable
training and skill, in order that
their skates might not get "mixed."
Yet, so well were they used to the
Ice, their skates, and each other,
that when skate touched the ice |
it always came down in the right
place. 1t seemed no exertion for
them, they seemingly appearing to
glide without any extra eGort of
their own.
One part of the performance of
the evening, and one that was very
much appreciated by the skating
part of the audience, was the kind
ness of Messrs. Lee d Dillingham;
in allowing skaters to go on the
Ice, before their exhibition of
skating, and also between the acts.
This was o good stroke of policy,
for it kept the attention of the
engaged and allowed the
professionals intervals of rest. 1t
also proved to person that those
apparently easy motions were not
so easy after all when he tried them .
One very amusing part
Of the performance was where Mr.. I
Lee was learning to skate. His
pretended awkward motions kept :
he audience roaring with laughter,
Is he vainly endeavored to pick up I
lis hat and initiate the motions of
lis teacher. Some sixty-seven diff
erent figures were executed on A
he ice, besides q general display
~ Mr.. Lee. In this part of the a
Lee distinguished d
himself by his wonderful skill in ID
urning, twisting, waltzing, jump
ng, cutting figures, and skating !"
apidly around the rink on one
DOT.
The lessons in skating will, no Il
loubt, give O new impetus to skat-
ng in this city, and our young 81
riends will find ample employment :
Or their moments of recreation in I
earning some of the intricate move
nents which were performed so
asily last week.
We can not conclude without =
aging a compliment to Messrs.
folding 81 Kelsey for their enter q
rise in furnishing our citizens with Il
he entertainment which has de- =,
GIFTED and astonished them so b
iuch; neither can we conclude =
'ithout tribute to Prof. Williams =
nd the members of his band, who :
ided so much in making Friday
nd Saturday evenings so pleasant.
Say what you will to the contrary
o entertainment is thoroughly sue r.
essful without good music, and v
'rof. Williams band always fur Z
ishes sweet, harmonious, and stir
ing melodies. =
AS regards the championship Of
he United States and Canada, the an
lew York Clipper says:
Tic Skating Tournament which M
as held OF the rink, in East Sag "a
law, on the evening of January IS Is
9TH, 1872, was success. A prize dr.
800 in greenbacks and two S cr
old medals, worth $50, was offered gu
II the best exhibition Of double s.
rating, open to the United States ~
nd Canada. Several entries were frc
ade from different parts of the on on
,untry. The prizes were won by =
[cssrs. Lee & Dillingham;, of East an an
aginaw. Their movements were tin
eaner and more varied than had ms ms