Smyrna times., 1877-03-07
The History Of Skating.

1t can only be conjectured when skating
was first practiced, but it was certainly very
long ago In that ancient collection of
scandinavian songs and legends known as
the "Edda,' Uller, the handsome god. is
QeciOed as being the p0ssCssor of a pair of
skates. This proves that skating is at least
a thousand years old. 1t is supposed TO
have been introduced into England about
the twelfth century, and into the central
parts OF Europe somewhat earlier. 1t is
curious, that although all northern nations
possessed the slcdgc, those of America knew
nothing OF the skate, while the people of
Europe did not have the snOw-shOc. The
course OF invention varied, according TO re-
qulrements. In America, in high latitudes.
the SHOWS are heavy, and open ice is com,
pafatlVeiy rare. In the corresponding
parts OF Europe, there is much more clear
ice, and proportionately less snow.
Inc ancient skates were nothing but the
sHIhbones OF oxen or other large animals.
pierced with holes to receive the cords or
thongs which bound them to the feet.
tItzstephen's "llistory of London" written
IN the thirteenth century, is the earliest
English book i'll which skating is spoken Of:
and we learn, from its decription, that the
performers upon these bone skates kent
themselves in motion by striking against
the ice with an lron-shod polc. Sometimes
specimens OF these bone skates have been
discovered, in the progress Of excavations.
III several European countries; and very
well preserved pair, so found in England
some years ago, can now be seen in the
British Museum.
1t Is unknown when or where iron was
hFst employed in the construction of skates.
1t was probably in Holland; for skates. of
pattern very much like that Of the one.
we have row, not only were known in that
country, but were extensively used by all
classes OF It's people, long before the pastimc
oi skating became general elsewhere.
SKATING Is something more than II Dastimc
IN Holland. There it is one of the usefuJ
arts, and IS universally practised and highly
esteemed. 1t offers very convenient
mode OF travel in winter over the canal.
that almost entirely supply the place of
roads in the Land Of Dykes; and neonle
skate from farm to farm, and from town TO
town, and to church, and 10 market. often
carrying heavy burdens. The Russians
have constructed an ice-locomotiye. with
roughened driVing-wheels to Law hold of
the slippery surface, and it has proved
success; but Ill Holland, every man is his
own lce-loconotive. And 50 is every
woman ierS,-ior it has long been the Gus
tomary Tor ladies to skate in Holland.
whereas in other countries, until recently,
TINS most excellent of outdoor exercises
Tor them has been almost tabooed.
The first skaters in our part of the world
were the honest Dutchmen of the i" Pro.
vince OF Nieuw Nederlandts," who doubt
eTS "iousht their skates with them in that
vessel, the Goeie Tronr.-wbich
we are told 10y the learned Diedrjch
4 A,nlckcrbocker, chad one hundred feet in
me beam, one hundred feet in the keel |
ma one hundred feet from the bottom of |
he stern-post to the tatiercd. The Dutch |
certainly deserve high honor for having in. |
roouced skating and Christmas presents
MO America, if for nothing else. As thrv
iid so, the worthy 81. Nicholas must he |
'Steemed the patron of all American
son tie Icc," Jy Hqrin Rus.
eR, 81. Nicholas for March.