, 1889-04-27

OOuOO3 u LdSOC6U III liz y 4AOSO vi
the Indians and Canadians are perfectly
smooth and fat GU the bottom, and they
are not constructed on scientific principles,
while those in use in the United States
are so built that only three or four of the
thin hickory planks come in contact with
the ice. Even these are rounded off in
order that the friction may be reduced TO a
minimum. In exceptional cases they are
ShOd with steel, and q speed of three miles
a minute has been attained under favOra-
BILE conditions. The weight of q six foot
American tObOggan is in the neighborhood
of fourteen pounds, and it is a marvel OF
strength, grace aud obedience to the will
of the ~Steerer.
The latter occupies @ seat at the rear
end, resting upon the right or left side
and guiding the vehicle with the CORES
ponding foot, the toe Of which is from time
to time lightly applied to the track accord
ing to he necessity for guidance. In Cana
da, the Steerer sits aud directs the course of
the tobOggan with a touch of his buckskln
glove or q short stick, the Highest pressure
being sufficient for the purpose.
The costume of the ladies' aud gentlemen
engaged in this fascinating sport is one
of its picturesque attractions. AS a rule
it is made from soft wooden blankets, In
strong colOrs, blue, pink, purple, old gold,
scarlet, or III stripes according 10 the
taste Of the wearer, and when these
are blended under the glare OF the eleG-
trio lights and brought out in contrast
with the feecy snow, the scene is one that
rivals the changes of a kaleidoscope. For
gentlemen, the dress usually consists OF
a blouse, buttOned tightly down the front
and covering the hips, knee breeches,
warm WOODEN stockings and IN occasins,
the head being covered by II cap or tuQue
of the same hue as the brilliant sash that
is wrapped around the waist, with the
tasseled end falling over the hip. The
cost me of the ladies' consists of a long
WOODEN cloak, butt med down the front,
fashioned with all the skill of the tailor, a
tuqus or fur cap, a sash, corresponding
with that Of her escort, m0ccaSius, and
closely fitting warm underclOthlng G.
The most fashionable and exclusive to.
boggan slide in the United States is prOba-
bly, that inIrlxedO Park, an aristOcratic To-
cality situated about eighteen miles from
New York, and established by Leonard
jerome, one of the Metropolitan mil
li0naireS, for the benefit Of the ultra
hobby set who now and then want to
get away from the atmosphere of the "cOm-
mon people" The slide proper is a thou
sand and four feet in length, hOOred with
spruce boards laid l~engthwlSe, and built
from the hillside to the valley below. Tho
descent is Sufi rapid to enable a to-
bOggan under favourable C ndltionS to go
over the course in fifteen seconds.
Twenty.fve miles an hour is nothing.
The track averages four feet in width and
is guarded by eighteen inch side fanges.
Along the course at regular intervals poles
are erected from which float brilliant CO.
Toured flags; at night they are surmOunt-
cd by torch ~, the g,are Of which, added
to the bonfres, makes a lively picture that
is not easily forgotten. New Workers who
belong to the copper ten" and nave a taste
for outdoor sports and the dainty surprises
afterwards in the supper rooms and par
Tors Of the resid entS, are proud OF Tuxedo
Park. Admittance to its sacred precincts,
however, is obtained with great difficulty
by one who is not bluC-5looded. t
At q number of the summer watering
places, tOboggan slides have been con
structed in which the vehicles fly to their
destination on wheels that are fitted TO a
railway track, and the velocity is some
times very great, but the sensation is as
cold ~victualS compared to the genuine arti-
Gle. Apparently the time is not far dis
tant when this cheap and delightful form
of amusement will be introduced III hun
dreds of our towns and villages, and be.
come as popular as the skating Kinks of old.