Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-03-25

the Horse Guards Boulevard, past the
palace of the Grand Duke Nicholas
fronting the burracks; then around ST.
Isaac's Square, with the monument OF
Peter the Great fronting the frozen ey
panse of the Neva, and the glorious
cathedral of white marble and glded
dome in its centre. On every side there
seemed TO be nothing else but palaces,
churches, monuments and lordly de-
partments of state. Hundreds and
hundreds OF little sleighs are dashing
past, while every now an then grand
noble or officer Of state will sweep past
like a whlwnd behind two fast trot-
ters, or dandy of the guard will take
pleasure in Overhauling every other
sleigh give my izvozchik an extra
ten kopecks Is cents "nschay" (for
teal. The tip appears to him enormous.
"Spasiby, BARN." thanks sir,)
he says, and goes of to the nearest
vodka saloon.
The Ydsoupoff Gardens are not very
extensive. In the summer they serve
the recreation ground for the important
people who are obliged to remain in
the city; in the winter the fashionables
go there 10 skate. The park is in the
centre of the busy portion OF the city,
on the Bolshaisa Sadowaia. There is
only a small pond in the middle OF its
conveiging alleys, but that does nos re-
strict the skating area. Every little
patch and level spot is converted into
ice as smooth as human ingenuity can
make il. This is done by means OF
thick coating OF water and snow rolled
perfectly smooth and then left to
freeze. The result is quite revelation
10 those who have not skated on such
ice before. A large and comfortable
clubhouse belonging 10 the 81. Peters
burg Yacht Club supplies warmth and
refreshments TO the numerous students
who gather daily. But the day Of days
is Tuesday, for that evening there is
weekly ice-Carnival and ball. The wide
expanse OF ice fronting the clubhouse
is brilliantly Illuminated with electric
lights. a military band plays enchant-
ing airs. The beauty and fashion OF
the city are present with chaperones.
Those poor cbaperones! They sit
outside on the terrace, bundled up In
furs, but freezing for the want OF mo-
ton. The cold is not felt by the young
couple as they glide through the mazes
OF the dance, and afterwards skate
slowly through the shaded paths where
little arbors appear inyitingly In the
dim corners.
Here is a circle formed on the ice. IL
is young DragomiroH of the Life
Guards Red, who is trying to Guido
young Farouahar OF the Brisish En-
bassy, at figure skating. The circle
applauds whenever one Of the rivals
cuts an unusually elaborate figure or
higher pirouettee than the other. The
Russian comes off winner. he has had
the advantage Of long years OF practice
which no amount OF natural aptitude
can replace.
Just eight weeks ago was our Christ
mas-for in Russia they still observe
the old style. which is twelve days be-
hind the rest OF the world. On that
occasion the garden was the scene Of
wonderful festival An enormous FIR
tree, sparkling with electric lamps and
ornaments were placed 10 the middle Of
the ice square. Colored lamps adorned
the avenues. Hundreds Of fair skaters
through alleyways composed OF their
partners. At the wind-up, grand
cotillion and general distribution OF
bOn-bons and flowers 70 the ladies'.
The air is filed with ell sorts Of
sounds. The strain OF the band beats
rhythmically 10 the swish Of stOOl-shod
feet; laughter and scrapes OF converse
tioa in all laDguages-Russian, French,
English, German-make themselves
heard; but rising above all Is ths chronic
roar Of the coasters on the ice-hills close
BY.
Adjoining the skatiDg-rink are two
huge scaffoldlngs, about 300 yards
apart. overlaid with ice. Down these
constant stream of tobogganers glide
back and forth. The descent from each
tower is almost an inward curve. max
ing the light steel cuttssa dash over the