The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-25
SKATING.


"There may be skating tomorrow and there may
not be said gray coated Park official last evening
to the writer. '.You see," he continued the tears
running from his eyes and forming an icicle
the end of his nose. lit all depends
on the wind. The wind has been blowing so hard all
day that the lakes Will not freeze. But II it WY y
hold up to-night there viii be skating to-morrosas
Hundreds of persons disappointed yesterday;
for. cold and clustering as it was there were num-
bers who went to the Park with the hveliest
anticipation of q good days sport. There
was plenty of ice on the lake, but for
the most part it was floating The wind. which
at times blew steadily and again in strong gusts.
swept the bosom of the lake and stirred the
water constantly OF no ice could form under
these circumstances Some portions of the lake were
covered with ice four five inches thick and would
bear probably any number OF persons that could got
on it, These portions. however. were surrounaed by
large open spaces, and number of dangerous
air holes scattered here and there. Signs were
placed at all sides. bearing the words Danger and
mo person allowed on the ice. and large detail or
Park policemen stationed about with the strict
est orders to prevent any one from going on the ice
1t was hard work for them, however. and notwith-
standing all their efforts it almost impossible to
keep children of They would insist upon skating
OF at least sliding.
comfort of the lovers of the graceful sport. Not
withstanding the mildness Of the past month the
usual and indeed as if anticipating the cold snap of
the past few days, earlier than usual.
In the afternoon notwithstanding the efforts OF the
Park keepers to the contrary, quite number OF per.
sons mostly boys got the ice and ran and skated
about for some time. Their only real danger OF
course, the fear OF good duckinS, when
would have been rather serious matter with
such weather yesterday. Those few who did skate
the sport all the because of the spice of rregu-
arity about it, The intense cold and the absence OF
ducive to shortened stay and about dark the ponds
were deserted.
RINKING.
The grounds of the Manhattan Athletic CLUB.
Eighth avenue, between Fifty-sixth and Fifyseventh
streets, where SO many lovers OF outdoor sportss
found amusement during the summer, the mem-
bers are determined shall not decline in
popularity during the winter season. Instead
of allowing the place to hibernate, the
members. with excellent judgment. decided to turn
it to use, and yesterday the place was alive with
merry skaters The whole enclosure has been flooded
and an ice surface. smooth glass. now tempts the
hiring audience Of ladies' collected tho
grand stand. The rink was opened yesterday
afternoon and q number of young ladies in sealskn
sacques and coquettishly short skirts enjoyed skim
over the ice band Of music enlivened the flyers
and not few experts demonstrated that waltzing
can be done on runners. The fact that an
admission fee of twenty-five cents is charged
p the RINK rS room FOR the
exercise of complicated and graceful evolutlons AS
the club the right to admit only such per-
sons may suit its pleasure class OF select
patrons is guaranteed. The number Of ladies who
attended yesterday afternoon proves that the
gentlemen OF the Manhattan Club have provided
for want long felt 1t is true that the Park,
with it's spacious full ponds, is close at hand,
but skating will be practicable the little rink at
times when the great ponds cannot. be used with
safety The depth of water here is not more than
twelve inches, and this. taken in connection
with the limited covered. gives the
greatest security to skaters. The rink will
be kept open day and night while the cold
weather holds The arrangements for illuminating the
pond by night very extensive. and every nook OK
the enclosure will be in full view. "Rinking' prom
Uses to be popular in New York this winter, and Mr..
Tilotson. manager Of Gilmore's Garden, has under
consideration proposition to turn the garden into
a rink after the conclusion of the O'Leary-Campans
walk,