The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-05-21
THE HISTORY OF SKATING.

1t can only be conjectured when skat-
irg was first practiced, but it was GER
tainly very long ago. In that ancient
collection of Scandinavian songs and le-
pends known as the ''Edda,' Uller, the
handsome god, is described as being the
possessor of a pair OF skates. This
proves that skating is at least thous-
and 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 ma
tions possessed the sledge, those of
America knew nothing of the skate,
while the people of Europe did not have
the snow-shoe The course of inven-
tion varied. according to requirements.
In America, in high ATTITUDES, the SHOWS
are heavy, and open ice is comparatively
rare. In the corresponding parts of Eu-
rope there is much more clear ice, and
prOpOrtiOnately less snow.
The ancient skates were nothing but
Shin-bones of oxen or other large AMI
mails. pierced with holes to receive the
cords or thongs which bound them to
the feet. Fitzstephen'S History of
London. - written in the thirteenth cen
turv. is the earliest English book in
which skating is spoken of and we
learn, from its description, that the per
formers upon these bone skates kept
themselves in motion by striking against
the ice with an iron shad-pOle. Some
times specimens of these bone skates
have been discovered in the progress of
excavations, in several European coun-
tries and a very well-preseTved pair,
found in England some years ago, can
now be seen in the British Museum.
1t is unknown when and where iron
was first employed in the construction of
skates. 1t was probably i'll Holland {;
for skates of a pattern very much like
that of the ones we have now not only
were known in that country, but were
extensively used by all classes of its peo-
pie. long before the pastime of skating
became general elsewhere. Skating is
something more than a paStime in HOl-
land. There it is one of the useful arts,
and is universally practiced and highly
esteemed. 1t offers a very convenient
mode of travel in winter over the canals
that almost entirely supply the place of
roads in the land of the dykes and peo-
pie skate from farm to farm, and from
town TO town, and to church and to mar
ket. often carrying heavy burdens. The
Russians have constructed an ice-locO-
motive. with roughened driving wheels,
to Law hold of the slippery surface, and
it has proved a success but in Holland
every man is his own locomotive. And
so is every woman heTs.-fOr it has long
been customary for ladies to skate in
Holland whereas in other countries.
until recently. this most excellent OF
outdoor exercises for them has been ia.
bOOed.
The first skaters in our part of Jh {
world were tie honest Dutchman of the
! province of Nieuw NeGerlandts, - who
! doubtless brought their skates with then
! in that celebrated vessel the coed,
EjOur, which we are told by the learn
/ ed Diedrick KnickerbOcker," had one
/ hundred feet in the keel. and one hun
/ dred feet from the bottom of the stern
post to the tafferel.' The Dutch Ger
+ tainly deserve high honor for having in
/ trOduced skating and Christmas presents
/ into America, il for nothing else. ~
they did so, the worthy st. NichOla
must be esteemed the patron of al
American skaters.