St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1885-02-12
On BOARD G.. r. RY. !
Ian % 1851.

Victoria skating rink in the evening
J admission, II for seat and the
privilege of standing until there was a
vacancy. 1t was q beautiful sight, so
brilliantly lighted. In the centre OF
the rink was column of water sur
rounded on three sides by wall of
ice. On a round column Of ice, sup
ported by the wall, was bust of the
Queen in plaster, and on lower ele-
walton on each side, were two figures
representing snow sheer in costume,
paying his homage To the Queen, and
female figure in tObeggan costume
opposite. These statues were covered,
until the governor general and party
entered then they were unveiled to
to the strains of Tod Save the Queen. "
Colored electric lights were made to
bear on the water, which made the eff
feet very beautiful indeed. The even
ing sights rs we saw them in Montreal
were succession of fairy land pic
lures.
Wrapping at seven o'clock Tuesday
evening in all we had, we started out.
Such Il sight as burst upon us as we
stepped from the hotel The ice pal
ace occupies the square near the Wind
sor, and was illuminated with mum
bcrless electric lights in the interior.
We had thought it beautiful in the
sunlight. but the effect at night is be-
yond description. w. H. sends you
carnival papers giving an accurate de-
scription, as well rs pictures of it. only
you must imagine the clean blocks of
ice. The architecture is perfect, and
very effective, the battlements being a
solid block of ice-then a space-re-
pcated all around the edge. 1t was
freezing cold at the rink, but excite
ment keeps people warm, and we suf-
fered no i'll effects.
The next day was clustering, snow
drifting, and so cold However out we
started, attending first hockey game
AT the crystal rink, only square from
tho hotel. 1t consists in knocking Il
bali Oh the ice with ii peculiar shaped
club. Three clubs were represented,
each in different costumes. The cos
tunes of all the participants in the ma
tional sports were very effective, par
ticularly the toboggan suits, as you
will see in the pictures made of
blankets Of any color or stripe, sashes
and caps to match mOccasins, bright
colored stockings and mittens. At
see the fancy skating for the cham
pinnships of America. There were
some six contestants, and it was very
graceful anc skilfuIly done.
You have no idea of the intense
still cold. We became as skilfull beat
ing time with our feet, to warm them
as any of the natives. A perfect tat
too is constantly kept up for the same
purpose. The governor general and
suit came while we were there. To a
Canadian that seems to be the crown
ing event of everything. If they
sneeze or cough, it is reported in all
the papers.
After lunch we took sleigh for the
"Tuque Bleue," tohoggan slide. We
came % an open field, at the end of
which the raised platform stands
the highest incline, and which affords
,,ff b.. oh ha
trees. There are three shallow
troughs can't think of any more ex-
pressive term, (down which the to-
hoggaHs go), covered with ice and
snow. and on each side easy steps.
We were invited by a member of
che club, and his sweetheart Il guess)
who were dressed in lovely costumes,
to- ride in their tobOggan--a broad soft
cushioned affair. She sat down first,
| next. putting my legs (dOnt blush)
on each side of her. She clasped my
lower appendages w. came behind
me. and grasped his pantalOons. The
tobogganer jumped on side saddle to-
steer aud off we went. | shut my
eyes SO as not to see, and when / raj
lied sufficient courage to open them,
We were shooting over a smooth field.
1t was most exciting, aud if You have
ever dreamed of falling from high
elevation, You may know what the
first sensation is. ....-..-.-
When they found we were novices,
they insisted SO positively ON our GO
ing again that we could not refuse.
This time opened my eyes after the
first rush, and screamed with laughter
the last We would like to have
tried it again, and could hardly resist
their very polite opportunities, but it
Nss nearing dinner time, and We re-
Iuetautly left.
Wednesday evening opened beauti !
fully clear, and cannot tell you any
thing of the beauty of the snow shoers' |
attack on the palace. Imagine your /
self four stories above the ground on q
great SHOW covered square. The |
broad streets and open space beyond,
filed with 1900 peop!e-bfillian cleo
trio lights from a high elevation, max
ing every thing perfectly distinct. In