The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-02-16
SKATING in HOLLAND.
That Country Is The Paradise for Lovers
of the Sport.

Holland is the paradise of skaters. In
that odd country, "where up trains run
on the down line and the cows are tied to
the ceiling by their tails" great many
things 90 by contrares, and skating is one
OF them. The weary waiting for black
frost to soldify the waters of deep lakes
and treacherous ponds, which in England
tantalizes the possessor of "Acmes," pre-
ventsihs sleeping o'nghts, and drives skate
makers to suicide, is to the Dutchman an
unknown modification, says an English
writer
Skating is, indeed, almost the only vio-
lent exercise for which the Dutchman has
any liking, and in the winter he holds
high carnival on the ice. The number of
skating clubs between Northern Brabant
and Groningen is inlinite but it is the
provinces north of the Iuyder Zee-Fris-
land and Groningen-that the best skaters
are to be found. These are the classical
training grounds of the Dutch ice artists.
When there is likelihood OF frost the
only thing necessary to secure good sur
face, is to open the sluices used for irri-
CATION, and nundate the great flat mead
ows. The operation is superintendent by
representatives of the skating clubs in the
neighborhood. A place of some six OF
eight thousand feet in circumference is
staked out around given point, the water
is allowed to flow in until it is of con-
venient depth, and the sluices are then
closed, Directly the ice is sufficiently
thick number of workmen are told off
to keep it clear of snow, should any fall,
and to sweep it carefully at frequent inter
walls
Then begin succession of skating conf
petitions. These competitions are got up
by the local skating club; sometimes they
are international, but clubs and individ-
uals are constantly competing among them
selves. The prizes offered ON these occa-
slons are often OF ii considerable money
value, and the funds for providing them
are supplied by the small sum charged for
admission to the skating ground, and the
entrance fees paid by the competitors, All
the world skates when there is ice, for
skating is universal accomplishment
among all classes and the buxom- almost
too buXom-Dutch ladies glide along with
an ease and grace which come as a surprise
to the foreigner, who has marked the awlk-
I At :, ,l
The best skaters, and those who carry
OIL the largest number OF prizes, are usually
crack members OF crack clubs. As soon
as the competitions and the value of the
prizes are announced, the clubs scrutinize
the lists, and decide what prizes their
members shall compete for. Those who
are to represent the club are, of coulse,
chosen for their skill. Each society is
therefore, certain OF being represented by
its best men,
As all the expenses OF the representative
to- from, and during competition are
paid by the club, the rank and file of the
members have an inducement to excel
likewise, for it is possible in this way to
obtain good many pleasant holidays in
the course Of Il winter without spending
anything. The money won becomes the
property of the club, and at the end of the
season is spent i'll some form of entertain
ment, IL small balance only being carried
over to the following winter.
The competitions are usually of three
classes-swiftness, elegance and the clear
ing OF obstacles. The latter is amazingly
difficult, even to experts; yet there are in
| Holland large number OF skaters who can
with ease and grace clear, in full career,
the straw covered spaces intended to repre-
sent natural obstacles upon the ice.