The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-28
1T Is VERY BRACING,
THIS WEATHER., But 1T BRINGS ITS
SNARE or JOY IND SORROW.
Tho Mercury is Way Down and the Wind
Has Fully Performed it, Functions.
Skating on the Lakes.

The mercury is down. II began falling
towards the silvery bulb on Monday az
t%erroon. and yesterday when the average
citizen. still tired with the delights OF
Christmas. emerged from his dwelling. he
was greeted with a cold atm osphere that
was intensified by a northwcsterly wind.
Had the air been still matters would not
80 We been so lad. but with n cold pier
Gina wind scurrying around the corners
throu. hout the day locomotion proved
not only difficult. but painful to ears, eyes
and noses, As a consequence there we're
few pedestrians on the street. even in the
business districts. 4 run 20 the bank and
a couple OF trips 10 the postofice were
about the only outing made by the
clerk or booll-keeper. and the journey
home TO dinner was made on the cars.
1t was far too cold for walking.
Business vag not brisk. however, even
IN the retail districts. There were few
shoppers on Broad street. and the ladies
who Vcntured out scurricd along in their
efforts 10 keen warm. The Broad street
merchants restored order from the chaos
that Christmas sales had made. and last
evening were again ready 10 sell bargains
at reduced rates.
Tie Ntdtntf NaN llAtl0fAf NRAA as
Yesterday morning. and at 9 A. VI. the
mercury registered %. At noon it had
gained two degrees. and at 3 +. NJ. y.
From that time until midnight the mer-
curry remained stationary. and 1t was cola
and cloudy in the early hours ms morn
ing.
The coolest weather last year was OF
December LIST. when the thermometer re-
gistered seven degrees above zero; in 1891
roA 1ocrrnaC ahnNn'
tn 1889. February 23d. eleven degrees
above; H. 1883. January 18th. ten degrees
above; I'm 1857, January 5th, six degrees
above: in 1886. February Sd. three degrees
above. and on January 6. 1884, 1t TELL TO
one degree above zero. Not since January
/. 1881. has the mercury fallen to a point
below zero.
There is excellent skating on all the
nonds and lakes near Richmond. ana
cors hound westward i'm the afternoon and
night are filed with merry boys and girls,
Youths and maidens. who are eager Tor
the celebrating sport at the New reser-
vOir lake.
At Forest Hill Park there is also q large
contingent. and with such extreme cold
weather as at present for the next few
days. there will be a chance for all TO
glide over the ice.
Skating i'm Richmond Is a rarity, there
HhllIk btfh bht 80 a
years past. The last time the dock was
tightly frozen, and at night especially,
youths glided about the ships and played
-hide-and-seek among the hawsers and
anchor chains.
Thanks are due each day at Reservoir
Park to the first crowd Of skaters, for
they are the people who 90 to the trouble
Of building a fire. A cracking. sizZing
log fire on a lakes bank is an arrange
ment not TO be despised by even the man
who can cut the figure S. and the pioneers
each day are forced to take the trouble
of gathering twigs and splitting logs.
Last night the ice on the Reservoir
lake was flooded. so that there will be
to-day an icy film that will add considera-
bly, TO the skaters enjoyment.
Yesterday one heard but the faintest
echoes of Christmas. The weather kept
many at home who would have gone
visiting, and the men were too cold TO
chat long on the streets. The cafes,
though. were well patronized during the
day. but at night were like banquet halls.
deserted.
The river Is fast filling up with ice that
has washed down from the falls, and II
looks as though there Is TO be an ice
gorge. The ice as IT floats dOwn the falls
presents a very pretty appearance. In
some places below Mayo's bridge the
stream is frozen across. The ice, how
ever. does not at present interfere with
steamboat navigation.