The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-06-06

TIE FOUR HUNDRED ON ROLLER SKATES.
Art Of skating within doors on the very
best laid floor in an extensive hall, which
Is always kept at the proper temperature
aud under the necessary and proper re-
strictions concerning tho time of skating
and manner of acquaintance with Others.
1t will be noticed by those who live In the
larger cities that there are moro girl and
boy skaters on the rigid toy skates on the
sidewalks than ever before, and this may
be taken as sure indication of the in
creased desire Of the people in general for
the revival Of roller skating rinks. Many
owners of rinks In 1884 believe that tho
roller skating craze recurs every ten years,
and are contemplating opening for bust
ness again. The first great demand OF tho
people for the skate was in 1874. The uni
versal popularity subsidized, apparently for
good, after two years of occupation of the
peoples minds, but In 1884 some members
of the most wealthy families Of the exclu-
sive circles, including the Havemeyers,
the Roosevelts, the Astors and others, with
the kindly assistance Of James l.. Plimp-
ton, the roller skate inventor, engaged
headquarters. originated n club, laid n per-
feet floor and INDUCED In the pleasant
general became aware of tho fact that roll
er skating was again possibility in New
York. In tho same manner the new era Of
roller skating is beginning.
In 1869 Mr.. Plimpton was Ill, and dur
ing his convalescence visited Central park,
New York, and the sight of the leo skaters
led him to consider the subject of an ade-
quate roller skate. Within year he had
invented and patented his skate tho sale
of which has made him multimillionairc.
This skate has wooden footplate, beneath
which arc two rollers at the toe and two
at the heel, made of lockwood, set on axlos
and supported by hangers of n composition
metal which seems almost indestructible,
for they seldom break and rarely bend.
The rollers are turned or guided so as TO
make any desired curve, by the oscillation
of the sole plate or the proper inclination
OF the foot of the skater as he moves his
body either left or right. The rollers sit
squarely upon the floor, whether the foot
Is inclined or upright, and thus sufficient
adhesion is obtained TO prevent the skate
from slipping sideways. BY thus dispens-
ing with all rough, soft or elastic sub
stances, as formerly used upon the rollers,
q very easy rolling skate Is obtained.
That skating Is tho very poetry of mo-
tion Is every way apparent TO the observer.
1t imparts grace TO the figure, pliability TO
the limbs, strength TO the muscles, vigor
20 tho sinews, activity TO the blood, roses
90 the checks and develops the human sys-
tenn most thoroughly and delightfully."-. 1t
has less Objectionable surroundings than
any other enjoyment and may DO called
one OF the polite arts. AS falls arc rare and
overindulgenco not permitted / cannot i'm
agine how roller skating can have an enc
my or, In fact, any but enthusiastic ad-
mirers. All authorities at home and abroad
advocate tho art of skating Perhaps tho
best Of these is Saltzman, the great Ger
man author, who says Of it, at is an cx-
ercise superior 20 everything that can be
classed under the head Of motion. Pure
air, promotion of tho circulation OF the diff
ferent fluids, muscular exertion, tho exer-
else OF such various skillful movements
and unalloyed mental satisfaction, must
have a powerful influence, not only on the
corporal frame of man, but on his mind
likewise"
The first skate upon which ono might
propel himself over the surface of a floor
of which we have any authentic account
was invented by Pettiblcd Frenchman
patented I'm France, and introduced there
IN the year 1919. But moro practical in
vention was that Of Robert John Tyer
whose 'parlor skate" wasput upon the mar
ket In England in 1898, but had little sale
there, and II was not until II was brought
90 this country and the celebrated jackson
Haynes, a skater OF note In bis time, put
Il TO practical use In his exhibitions upon
the theatrical stage that 10 became popular
and met with q grept sale. With it he
went 20 Europe and skatcd into the affec-
tions Of the czar of Russia, who onnobled
him and enriched the skater 10 such an OK.
tent that he never returned 90 America.
This "parlor skate had n cast iron foot
plate of light weight, beneath which were
six bardencd rubber rollers set in rigid
sxles and arranged In straight line un.
asr the foot. IL was intended TO act well