Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-02-03

years made such rapid strides. Not so
very long ago, though plenty Of ladies
skated, after q fashion, IL vas a most
unusual thing for women or girls to
show any degree OF proficiency in the
advanced" figures, which now SO many
execute with grace and precision.
Now that the Frost King has again
made this delightful pastime possible, a
few simple hints on skating, &c, may,
perhaps. enable those who are not yet
proficient in the art to become more
nearly so, or at least. may lead TO a
greater amount Of enjoyment being de-
rived from the exercise.
A learner should, if possible, get some
friend who is steady and strong on his
or her feet 10 assist her on TO the ice;
and when on TO hold her up, while she
is finding her feet" by crossing hands.
Short steps should be taken
at first, as in walking; not
forg citing to lean forward, and
to put the weight on the foot that is In
advance. This is one OF the first prin-
ciples OF skating, and one that many
who are endeavoring TO teach them
selves are often some considerable time
in discovering. As soon as you have
gained a sufficient amount Of confidence
and balance IL is best to discard all but
occasional assistance. In learning, one
should turn ones toes out; but when
proficient enough 10 attempt the out
side edge, the toes must be turned in,
otherwise it will be impossible TO use
the outside edge of the skate.
When skating on either edge, the
shoulder cores onding TO the foot being
used must be advanced, this rule apply
ing equally to both backward aud for
ward skating. Remember, whether you
are skating forward or backward, on
the inside or the Outside edge, TO always
turn the head and look in the direction
ia which you are travelling. In striking
off on the outside edge be careful not TO
fall into the bad habit general among
beginners Of STOPPING, and then regain
ing the balance by jerkY, sudden
throwing back OF the head. II
you desire TO skate easily or
gracefully all sudden or jerky
movements must be avoided. IL Is, Of
course, necessary to bend the knee when
striking off, but doing so need interfere
little with either the position OF your
body or hesd, aud as soon as YOU have
regained the balance, and are fairly OF
on your odge, the knee must be straight
ened, otherwise il will be impossible for
you to develop either steadiness or
power. Always hold the head well up,
steadily resisting the desire (Which
many learners possess) to watch your
feet or the ice. Carry the unem-
ployed foot well behind the one in
use, keeping the toe turned
outward and downward. Do not let
your elbows stick out sideways 10 is
not graceful, AMI it often causes incon-
venience 10 other skaters. Carry the
arms easily and naturally.
The forward and backward cross
rolls should always be acquired before
figure skating proper is attempted.
The former is, in reality, only the out
side edge skated with the foot not In
use crossed over in front Of the other
before the stroke is made. Aud the
backward cross" is accomplished by
crossing the unused foot behind the
other.
When these two crossroads have been
thoroughly mastered you will be quail
fed to try to cut the SIS, which are COM
plete circles skated alternately on each
foot. There are eight SIS; four sEsted
on each foot, so to speak. The 8 from
the inside backwards is a rather difficult
figure, and In skating it you must cross
the unemployed foot over 10 front OF the
other. After thoroughly mastering
these the next figure is the forward 3.
II is commenced from the outside for