The record-union., 1892-12-21
CHRISTMAS IN CANADA
EXhilarating Sports INDUCED in Du
ing the Holidays.

EXhilarating Sports INDUCED in Dur
ing the Holidays.
EDS. RECURD-UNION: Christmas in
Canada is as different from a Christmas in
California; all the difference, in fact, that
there is between frigid ard a temperate
zone-the ground snow-covered and the
air clear, cold and bright. The air re-
sounds with the merry Naturalization
OF tie sleigh-bells, and such a variety of
sleighs are in the daily procession that it
is hard for a stranger and a pilgrim to
name them. The Russian sleigh, with
high, curved, scroll-like fronts, drawn by
housekeeping steeds in silyer-mounted
harness, with bright-colored, nodding
pIums, whirls by with "Jeames'' on the
high seat in fur cap, collar and long fur
gauntlets. The occupants are almost
smothered IN heavy bear-skins lined with
plush. Three silver-throated bells set
up very high is all the music this swell
turnout has.
Closely following this is a grocer's pung
picked out in scarlet and gilt; then a
stylish Canadian cutter with gray wolf
robes lined with blue, and q collar of
silver bells around tile horses neck fur
nishes music for The TWO occupants, who
are young, happy and in love. Then
bob sled with its occupant, just as happy,
though he has his cap and gloves of rab-
bit skins and his horse has lust six cop
per bells tied clumsily around MS
scrawny throat. Then We see the small
boy tugging his double ripper or a tobog-
gan to tue coasting hills or slides.
In Canadian town the lake, bay or
river, as the case may be, is a sheet Of
glistening ice, and a goodly crowd Of
skaters are flashing quickly here and
there. like winged Mercurys, showing a
clean pair of steel-shOd heels as they do
the Dutch roll, - or 'cut an eight or glide
airily hand in hand through the mazes Of
a waltz on skates. At night large Don
fire is burning in the center of the. lake,
giving light to the skaters or warmth to
the late-comers who have not yet obtained
the glowing warmth impaired by the ex-
ercise.
1t is quite Christmas week before the
snow-shoe clubs are reorganized, and
Christmas week the Inauguration tramp
takes place.
With tasseled tuques andIblanket suits,
in red and white, and blue and white, or
green, the various clubs start out for a
ten-mile run, to meet at some wayside
house for lunch, dance, and return.
Climbing swiftly over the frozen snow,
they are picturesque lot.
At this season iceboating parties are
the rule. The ja9nty yacht captain ex-
changes his gold braided cap for a fur
one with ear muffs, as he takes command
of the iceboat that bears so little resem-
blance to his yacht for summer use. A
platform, usually triangle shape, mounted
on gigantic runners, even the rudder is
is but a third skate. The mastis stepped,
supported by shroHds, the bowsprit runs
out forward, while the boom swings over
the platform and the jib and mainsail
complete the rigging. The sail quivers
as the boat, with her nose in the winds
eye" stands ready for start. Lady pas
sengers are snugly rolled up in buffalo
robes as snug as the traditional "bug in a
rug" Then the crew head her round.
the captain takes the helm, the mate hauls
up the jib, and away she goes, the speed
increasing as the sail fills; the runners
grind with crunching whirr Ware
heads" is the first order, and all heads
duck as the boom swings. The loose