The morning times., 1896-01-05
wAsHINGToN ICE PALACE.
1t Win Present q Beautiful Sight at
tho Oman Tornorrc-

the Opening Tomorrow.
Ice skating, at Its best In Washington, only
Lasts for two or three days at time, and
the lovers OF this kind Of sport In this
vicinity find very little enjoyment in the
Ice when IL does come. This winter, how.
ever. everything is changed, Ice skating
may be had In abundance at all times and
In all kinds OF weather. Further than this,
1t may be enjoyed under the most pleasing
circumstances; warm temperature, ele-
CANT surroundings and the stirring strains
OF music rendered by an orchestra Of high
order OF merit. This has been brought about
by tho change which has taken place in
Convention Hall. 1t is no longer a concert
hall, but is now full-fledged ice palace.
with the largest ice surface for skating In
The world, barring none In existence.
The palace will be open to the public
Monday evening, and from that time
until interest for the sport dies out for
the season it will be run as an ice skating
rink. the appointments of which go far
beyond those OF any similar edifice now
In use.
1t was n great task to transform the
hail into an ice palace in the short time in
which 1T was done. The work was begun
directly after the Messiah concert which
was given in December by the Choral
Society, and by Monday evening every
thing will be In full working order and
ready for the devOtees of the steel runners.
1t is expected that the opening night
will be a great event. Invitations have
been Issued to the best people in WASH
iDgton. and 1t will be a social event as
well as the opening Of a new place OF
amusement. The interest which the ice
palace has aroused has assured the sue
cess of the enterprise beyond even the
greatest expectations of its projectors,
and 1t is safe to say that its popularity
viii increase with every days enjoyment.
As stated above the ice surface is the
largest of any similar place OF amusement
in the world. Besides this fact another
item deserves to be mentioned. The fit
tiDgs OF the reception rooms, retiring rooms,
smoking rooms, and cafe are such as to
excite the admiration and wonder of every
one who has inspected the rink. The
large general reception room 10 situated
in the front of the building on Lstreet. The
reception room and retiring room for ladies
are located on the right hand side of the
hall while those for gentlemen are placed on
the opposite side of the structure. A smok-
ing room has also been provided for the
gentlemen. These rooms are all furnished
In Oriental style with bangings OF Persian
goods. Tie effect thus made is gorgeous
and elegant beyond description. Thousands
of incandescent lights will illuminate the
rooms and furnish Just the right quality
for comfort, convenience and pleasure
will be found here and the management has
spared no expense to make this part OF the
ice palace 60 ahead of any in the world.
The cafe will be located In the gallery OF
the hall and here the patrons OF the rink
may eat an excellent meal and be regaled
mentally as well as ply sically by the music
which will be rendered by the orchestra.
This most important feature will consist
OF over a score OF the best musicians obtain
able, the orchestra being In attendance all
the time.
The hall will present a most attractive
appearance on the opening night. The .
roof as usual viii be studded with the
thousands Of lights but the addition will
be in The glisteniug ice surface, which viii
reflect the light and make it even more
brilliant than ever. Around the ice basin
have been placed several rows OF seats for
those who do not wish to Join in the skating
but who like to come and see Others enjoy
themselves. A promenade viii be made
OF the space which comes in between the
ice basin and the doors leading to the hall
proper. Inside the railing and just outside
the Ice surface is a strip on which the skaters
may stand while putting on their skates.
The interest which is being taken in the
affair has prompted the organization OF
several ladies' skating clubs and these VIII
attend the ice pala in body. The ladies
Will also nave Il speCisfi HOui w tHe iuoIuihE
when an instructor will be on hand and
they can have the exclusive use or the hall.
The ice surfa ce is absolutely safe and affords
great contrast to the ice on the river.
The latter is generally rough, broken, and
abounding In danger spots and breathing
holes, while that at the hall is as smooth
as polished glass and Just about as safe as
that article would be.
: The first layer of water was put In the
tank thIs week and the first foundation Of
ice frozen. BY Monday evening the whole
VIII solidly frozen to the top OF the
tank. No detail will be lacking on the
opening night, and although the labor Of
fixing the hall in the short time was ire
mendous it was performed satisfactorily
by the corps OF skilled worknlen who were
employed for the purpose.
All street car lines in the city transfer
passengers to the immediate vicinity of
Convention Hall.
.