The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-09
ON THE ICE.
Skating Pleasures in Central Park
and Brooklyn.
MIDWINTER CARNIVAL.
The Youth of Both Cities Enjoying the
Healthy Sport.

The middle lake OF the Central Park presented yes
tcrday afternoon and evening an uncommonly
spirited picture OF life and enjoyment Over fifteen
thousand skaters enlvened its surface and its margin
at various points OF vantage was occupied by nu-
merous groups OF comfortably clad spectators The
fitting to and fro, quick and sudden as shuttle
in loom, the rapid winding In and out and
the constant motion OF tho steel shod host
made spectacle Of great amin alton, keeping the eye
OF the looker-on necessarily busy like Kaleidoscope
The frozen floor OF the lake was swept smooth and
clean the morning. that tue hearts Of the skaters
who came early delighted at the sight OF sur
face OF ice uniformly level and CLASSY. But the
crowds increased toward the afternoon, and
multiplied from hundreds to thousands. tho
Ice was soon cut in every direction and
covered with Gnc, white, glistcning sand.
Men and maidens OF ages and degrees of life
there and, as for boys, all the specimens that
ever figured in or story books represented
The good boy was there, with his immaculate
coat, Knckerbocker brooches, fur cap and bright,
warm neck muller. The bad BOY was also on hand,
without any muIlcr and shr,collar, bis breeches
creased and abraided about the knees, and his hat
perforated with holes past Counting The girls
were not nearly SO numerous nor SO noisy
as tho boys. but they were conspicuous
enough, nevertheless, and gave color to the
picture. The day was exceptionally fine. Overhead
spread above the horizon like strips OF finest gauzc.
Little wind blowing, and the sun poured
down over lake aud wood and lawn a food Of mellow
radiance more admirable day for skating never
came out OF the heavens. In the afternoon, when
the schools closed leading to tho Park
were alive with tho children Fastening onward to tho
lake, their skatos swinging and gstening In the cold
air.
THIS ANIMATED SCENE.
The great stream OF people poured along the Mall
and down the broad stone stairs 10 the plaza sur
rounding tho fountain in front OF the luke. Here were
several gray coated policemen on duty and danger
signals lying about in every direction. fringe
Of spectators skirted tho shore, and the Kialto that
the narrow neck between the upper and lower
sections OF the lake was filled with people gazing in
interest tho stirring sight below. Around the
building where skates are furnished TO those who
come unprovidod mass OF people gathered, as here
tue most impressive view OF the whrling and
skating was infinite. One gentleman contcnted him
self with quietly describing figure Of eight, and then
rested himself on his heels looked around the
admiration of the ladies' Another insisted upon
flashing ike meteor through the maze OF skaters 10
show his skill IN steering amid the threng without
coming IN collision with anybody. Others IN couples
endeavored as nearly as possible TO 20 through tho
figures OF a waltz, n polka or mnzourka. and stlil
others started mpromptu races from shore TO the
opposite The pretticst and most attractive style OF
skating, however, was where a young couple OF the
two started of hand in hund In That quick Gid
ing swaying motion that appears to DO the very
poetry Of iocomotion. The ladies mostly came gar
specked WOOL 1T up with bits OF cardinal rod ribbon
and hats enveoped in blue grenadine wells. Seaiskn
numerous,
prevalent among the men; usters, too, were COM
mon, and stove-pipe hats wore scarce
EVENING SCENE.
AS the sun sinking the crowd was greatest and
the sceuc most animated. Every nook anu corner OF
the broad and winding lake were occupied, and the
movement Of figures hiiher and thither was bcwlder
ing 10 the last degree The ice gave iorih hum like
OF hall dozen sawmils in full operation,
and TINS In combination with the merry chime Of .
thousand filled air with brisk aud iuspirit-
Ing melody. The spor. gave usrs TO the eye and
color to the cheek, and none appeared TO be the
TALK OF THE CROWD
Sous, give me your hand or III surely fall, " cried
ventured from the shore on what seemed 10 be her
essay skasns a 1hs Gu eoa Soi MS
compelled to assume AN undigni6cd attitude on tho
ice.
to be had ~ eagerly queried two small bright cy cd,
rosy checked girls OF guardian OF the Park, and tell
U.S. MIR. Oncer," they continued, 'f any OF the chairs
hold two and II we can get little boy to push usy"
The kindly minded officer gave the much desired
information, and soon after these little girls,
charge OF boy. the sitting in the lap Of the otner,
scuryn over the Ice as happy as the princesses
"Take yer hoof out o. there, tho steamboats,
q coninl" shouted one bold urchn TO another, as he
sped onward. reckless. OF consequences You jest
youngster addressed, ana the next moment both were
their backs, kicking their heels biarousy in tho
Saint he sweet" remarked a fair her CON-
pau,on gallant youth glided past, cutting pigeon
wings and other artistic devices on the frozen floor
.Ah you should my cilah." answered tho
other; "ne skate like angel and he can cut the
pattern OF a polonasc on tho ice.''
.'Oh Tom, amt this splendid!'' glceiully cried
fair who hung on the salwart arm OF dark
haired figure In ulster coat both came bearing
tho boat house at lightning speed after run
across the lake.
.sYou ben replied Tom enphaticaly; 'It's Just tho
cheese and no two ways abou: It, Let's try IL again."
then the two bent their heads forward aud struck
out, arm arm, tho lady's face glowing like b sum-
rosc and they kept till they had secured the
whole lake round.
THE NIGHT SCENE.
When night Tell the lamps we're lighted along the
shore, and all nearly bright clear In the
daytime The crowd OF the afternoon thiuned out
but quickly replaced by another, and ut nine
O'Clock The sport was more fast and furious than
From the high ground above the lake the
singuiarly striking IN the multitude Of forms rushing
moueItarly out oi the shadow and into tho light
quickly disappearing In tho shadow. The bellies
and beaux were morc numerous than III the daytime,
and there were multiplied instances Of robust
encircIlng tender waists, and altogether there was
much more real lun than IA the sober light OF the sum-
which had disappeared few hours previously.
EMPIRE SKATING RINK
AT the Empire skating Rink, TLird avenue and
Sixtythird street, which was opened on Monday, there
lew visitors IN tho daytime, but when night
and the 800 burners were all abazc about Ave
hundred persons wore actively engaged skimming TO
and iro over the ample area oil the enclosure.
Unlike the Park when Is free to ALL tho visitors TO
the RINK were oil more or less select character A
band OF music on platform IN the centre OF tho
frozen space lent exhiaration 10 the OCCASION Tho
attendance OF ladies numerous, anu some of the
dresses were very rich and effective. Next week two
will take place here under The direction oil Mr.
j. Marion Pollock, OF the knickerbockcr Athletic
Cub the fret Of ton miles open 10 all comcrs
with gold and silver medal Tor prizes, and the second
a tyhvc mile race Tor tho cham pIons of Amer
lea, gold medal TO the winner aud silver ncuaI to
the next man.
THE SPORT IN BROOKLYN.
In bygone years Brookly mites were noticeable for
their enthusiasm in all that tended TO promote the