The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-13
SKATING IN THE PARK.
GOOD ICE AND BIG CRowD-How THE YOUNG
FOLKS ENJOYED THE SPORT


FOLKS ENJOYED THE SPORT.
Ample streams of people poured into Central Park
yesterday afternoon and the middle lake to which all
steps were directed was soon crowded from end 10
end Perhaps ten thousand persons were assembled
there before the skating for the day came to close,
at half-past five o'clock. The weather was dull and
cod but the ice in admirable condition. and this
was the chief consideration with the visitors. the
great majority of whom appeared to belong to the
working classes of the city. The boys We're out in
great force, and their enjoyment of the day was of
the most earnest character They were not all ex-
perts, and slips and tumbles were the portion
OF many; but the accidents met with We're
treated with cheerful Indifference. Collisions Were
inevitable in throng so great and very sudden and
laughable knock downs the consequence. The
house by the lake, where the boys put their
skates, and where refreshments dispensed, was
crowded to its fullest capacity, and immense bust
ness was done in candy and pumpkin pie. The lake
presented very animated appearance. when the
crowd was ut it's maximum, the skaters driving to
and fro and weaving in and out like thousand
shuttles in thousand looms. A fine white dust
covered the ice as though fall of had settled
upon it, but which really the effect of the null
titudinous skaters that ploughed in endless move
ment over the scaly surface.
SKATERS.
The crowds appeared to come in battalions from
all quarters OF the city especially from the east side
hrongng procession entered the Park by the Fifth
avenue gate and seemed if it would never cease.
1t was chiefly made up of boys and young men. most
of whom carried skates under their arms or slune
across their backs They walked with an elastic
step and their looks betrayed an anticipation of fine
fun ahead. The fair sex was not as nnnerously rep
resented as on week days and there a consequent
lack OF color i'll the the lake. Large box
sleshs well filed started at frequent intervals from
the Fifth and Eighth avenue entrances of the Park to
the lake. Hundreds o. people filled the benches
ranged along the margin OF the Lake, and other hun
dreds promenaded about among the skaters, without
taking part in the prevailing activity.
EcCENrRlCIrIEs OF THE SMALL
The small boy. as usual, monopolized the prom
inent place in the days sport. He here, there
and every where. haooing loud as his lungs would
allow, cutting figures of eight and shooting hther
and thither with a recklessness all his own He
carromed off the heavy paterfamas and sent him to
grass or rather to ice without warming and for the
love OF the thing he let himself fall in the way of
some gracefully careering swell, to whom the small
boy on ice has particular aversion. look out
for the locomotive" he would cry to the youth
ahead OF him, and the one addressed would put
extra head of steam and would ensue, the
small boy constituting himself the leading attraction
of the hour To him the day one of diver
sion, and every moment utilized to get all pos
sbe enjoyment out of his pair of skates Beginners
in the art of skating were numerous. and among
them were several young ladies whose masculine
escorts appeared to take delightfully."- busy interest
teaching them the rudimentary lessons, while the
learners themselves were all blushing excitement
and found more sport III the mishaps they
countered than they would have found in scientific
skating.
"swELL" TURNOUT.
Two young lads in the course of the day came upon
the lake bearing between them u chair gorgeously
mounted on nickel plated runners The framework
painted in bright crimson and piece of Brls-
sells carpet covered the seat Attention mme-
diately drawn to it, and two policemen APP
preached and inquired of the owners whether they
had permit for the Introduction of the
novelty the lake. One of the lads produced
the necessary document signed by of the
Park Commissioners and the chair followed by q
host of small boys, careering the ice,
the joint propretors feeling proud if they had
fourth hand drag. The CHAIRS rule, belong to
the Park and many OF them were in use; but this
one was private property.
Approaching the hour for the cessation of the
days pastime the multitude was large as to i'm
pede the skating to some extent; but 1.-THE the
merrer, seemed to be the general feeling, and the
crowds separated at night in the best possible
humor.