Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-06-02
ROLLER SKATING.


Within ltb walls was III aLtenuAnCc 81 last
evening service at the Eighth Presbyte-
Ran church, says the Chicago Herald.
Roller skates and skating Kinks was the
topic of the pastor, Rev. Thomas Edward
Green. The text was: Sand they that
use this world. as not abusing it. = After
> brief introduction the reverend speaker
said: '"The question of amusemenfs, the
word by which we call the occupations
that divert the mind, and with il the
body, from the constant application of
labor and more weighty employment, is
not merely hygienic question buta re-
ligious one swell, in that it has to do
with the proper Development of certain
faculties and the satisfaction of certain
demands of life. Ii is not any more q
trivial question, and one begotten by the
lower aud more sinful part Of life than is
the question Of eating or drink
ing or sleeping. It's proper provision
and discipline is as much duty and as
important, as is that of the other part
of life.r
Coming down shortly to our attempts
ut amusement Mr.. Green said that they
are of a sort with a history OF the race.
Differing in specific sort with varying
grades OF culture, all amusement comes
under one Of three heads-thc dance,
games and recitations. The dance, q
generic term for all the range when mu-
sic aud motion are the agencies en-
ployed, from the march Of the kinder
garten 10 the dance OF the savage, or the
newest creation of the parlor. Games,
taking their zest from competitive skill,
from leaping schoolboys to racing steam
ships; and representations, whether of
music, art or words, holding up glass
to history or nature or life. TO speak
of all Of these would take book. am
after one of them roller skating'-a
form of the first sort, where rhythmic
motion is the charm, and grace and
swiftness the polish.
have been asked TO speak of the
skating rink, and have led you thus up
to the consideration of it that YOU might
see in il, to begin with, not on the one
side sort of rhythmic paradise, nor on
the other, as fanatical paper called it
recently, crater Of hell, and suggested
q warfare against the devil with dyna-
mite, but simply an attempt at amuse-
ment. lately come into vogue, and hence
much discussed Some one wished the
other day it had been made an issue in
the late campaign, aud the question, to
skate or not to skate, decided by vote
of the people. ] have been asked score
Of times to answer this question and give
my opinion of the skating rink. / have
been to see it. and as | can Judge, there
are things to commend and things to
condemn
Now, don't listen to only one side OF
this and then say Iapproved roller skating
or disapproved it, but listen to both
praise and blame: there is good deal
Of both. These roller skates are a com.
paratively new thing. So near as / can
learn they were invented by one Plimp-
ton, of Paris, in 1920, and were pro-
tected so successfully by patents that only
few we're in use until 1888, when the
patent expired. AT once all over the
world manufactures were started and
Kinks sprang up, until to-day, if we may
judge by our own city, every town and
village almost has its rink more or less
pretentious, and thousands Of men and
women and children have become ex-
pert skaters / see in roller skating
many things to commend aud praise.
simple. There is no strain or mental
burden in it; there is no calculation OF
requirement of memory or forethought;
there is no effort required save as one
chooses to enlist it. You may 60 fast or
slow, straight or crooked, as you please.
1t is amusement, purely.
"Secoud-There is in it admirable
physical exercise. 1t calls into requis.
ition every muscle and joint of the body.
It is boating without the risk of a spill;
pend without any danger of frozen
ears or wet feet. 1t quickens the circu-
lation. expands the chest, strengthens
the limbs, gives color to the cheek and
sparkle to the eye. 1t is the best physi-
cal exercise | have ever seen, If it be
used and not abused.
"Third-It breeds grace and ease Of
movement. It is like any other rhythmic,
graceful motion moving to music. It cul
tivates gracefulness and elegance Of
carriage and adds to the beauty and the
symmetry of life. And this is n part OF
the true ideal of life. Look at the Apollo
Bclvidere. Can you fancy such figure,
skufhing along, coming down this aisle,
stepping with heels first, making noise
enough for a Cardiff giant, and SLOUGH
ing into = seat like a half-drunkeU
brawlera Don't you think it adds e
the beauty and charm of young lady II
she walks with straight and erect
carriage and with elastic step, rather
than shuttle along bent and awkward
Beauty and grace are Gods gifts, and
they are worth taking care of, and what
ever adds to them and develops them is
praiseworthy TO that extent
III rink owners, concluded the
preacher, will have wide door with 5
quick, steep step to the ground, and
enough regard for morality to use IL
every time any man transgFcsses the pro
priety that has as much authority their
as in the aisles Of this church soor
enough will this curse find a check. But
not only in skating Kinks but every
where let MS have reform for purity
and honor. These two things then: !
want you to skate swiftly, gracefully
ioyfuliy. If you stop in time aud shuI