New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-02
SLEIGHING IN 4 sNOWSTORN.

THE PARK RINGING WITH BELLS IN SPIT: OF THE
sToRM-rHE BEST sLtIGniNG SEASON FOR
TWENTY YEARS.
Sleigh-riding yesterday tried and not found
wanting. Despite the cold and driving snow the
east and west drives in Central Park We're dotted
with s.eighs, and slender rotters cast the be-
hind them In Central and JcrOmc-aves. The attr;c-
tions Of the exharatlng pastlme easily Overcame
the disc0mfOrts of the weather. Although the num-
Der of sleghs out was naturally much less than Oh
the pleasant days Of the last few weeks there was
representation sufficient to show thorough apprc-
citation of the exceptional condition of the Roads
Sleighng in a snOwstorm presents pictur-
esque features, was evident to a visitor to the
Park yesterday. Tie walks and lanes were de-
serted. On each side was an expIn,e of saOw-cOv-
cred fields whose dTearlness was enhanced by the
bare trees and gloomy evcIgrecns. Bat APPROACH
ing the East Drive the jingle vi scigi-belis rang out
sharp aud clear, growing louder and loader until
reaching the walk beside the Drive A huGe family
Sleigh came rushing down. Dlu uf red, white and
blue futtered IN the air. TAe tall lat of the driver
bore snowy crown as If bent hls =, 4ead 20 orfak
robes was tUrned to white. The beard of
the pOrtiy banker who sat OIL tic rear
Seat was powdered wnh, snow; HIS
wlfe's Iuddy cheeks fairly Rlowed above her furs,
while the daughters opposite. with their backs to
the wind. presented interesting studies in black
and white. Then "a daluty little trOtting sleigh
flashed by, the solitary occupants snowy fur cap
bent forward, with teeth cenched ami robes
closely tucked in about him he held tight rein "n
his eager horse. Young couple followed, he par
tlcularly anxious to wrap the robes closely about
her, and both ob!iviOus Of tie storm and the slow
gait Of the somewhat aged stee!. Blddy , and
" Pat" were out In "a "puug cor the afternoon,
perfectly cOntented with ther turnout.
The sound of the bells and tie 5Ight OF brilliant
equipages and h1ghStepprng horses constantly ami
mated the long snow -coyered avenues bardered by
leafiess tress The East Drive was the best patron
ICED Usually for the last few wees there has
the Park, but yesterday they scattered along r-
regularly but steadily. There were many also at
the Eighth-ave. entrance. Up in the vicinity of Nc
Combs Dam il the favorite stamping ground of
the sporting fraternity and many well known
horsenen were on hand yesterday, varying trials OF
speed with visits to convenient roadside inns.
Wind and cold were forgotten by the man WHO
found that his horse could do the mile in three or
four secOcds less than the other mans. But while
adventurous drivers faced the storm there were
others who lowered about the huge stoves stable
Offices and discussed the wonderful! sleghiEg of The
winter.
In two large stables near Union Square where
sleighing Is usually a matterof the least Importance
it WAS said Yesterday that sleighs had been out
hao such sleghing tor twenty years. sand the VEN
cradle proprietor Of large stable near the Filth
aye: entrance OF the Psra 1t begal two DAYS after
first selgh out, and we've bad II for sx weeks.
Goodi Why, it's beenjnst heavenly. And haven't
the people enjoyed 1t Well, should say So You'd
zee tboUsaLds of selghs gong INTO The Park out here
90 thick they cOuld hardly stir There were the
Vanderbit-, aud The Boomers, and 1urnbull snd
Cross aud Frank Work, and old Sammy Iilden once
in a wi.iie and the professionals all out every day.
And up NcCOmbs Dam way any fine dsr yOu'il zee
the best trotiag and the pretes sights the city
show. Why, fast horses have been coming in here
from all over the country since the sleiging began"
Even Professor Draper. IN the Meteorological OBJ
atory at the Park. found enthusiastic over
the sic CHING The cold weather has done IT," he
said; "tn- snow mets very little duE@nR the day
and freezes up again at Digh, so that The roads are
constantly IN good condition. The first snow fell
November -. and on December II sleghing began
in the iaf4i, >
The follow ing table shows the snowfall in inches
for November, December and January for the last