The morning times., 1897-01-31

over a week ago to seize the glorious op-
portunity. SO infrequent in Washington, for
outdoor skating, and as the cold weather
continued the adults joined the crowd
Soon all the enclosed bodies of water as
well as some parts of the river, were
covered with a multi-colored crowd OF
devotees
The favorite spot for the pastime is the
lake right back OF the Monument, known
as the 'Pasin,'' the east bank of which
is that summer delight of the small boy,
the swimming beach But now the diving
boards serve only is seats upon winch
the skater rests while he fastens his
skates, and around the ra1t upon winch
the swi inmers in their scanty costumes used
to rest the colored gentleman who hires
out skates from a chair on runners, now
plies his noisy trade.
"Heah yo ah, set rite down in de Lady
of de Lake. and Duh 'Parluh' is dun
place to hab yoh skates as'ned on are
some of the cries that salute the ear.
And the men reap a rich harvest from
their skate hire during the few days that
the skating lasts. Here, too, may be
found the yender of everything eatabie
which is at the same time cheap; from the
penny sausage to a bag Of popcorn.
out across the basin as far as the river
the ice is dotted with skaters, singly and
in groups. Here a pair of fancy skaters
are showing OFF, to an admiring circle of
bystanders and there a beginner on the
steel runners is blundering along in an
attitude which like Mr.. Winkle's, is 'neith-
er graceful nor swan-like-"
Further out may be. seen thick crowd
of men and boys who are playing hockey
and are doing their best to drive the
punk toward the opposing goal.
Every once in while there is mix-up
and when the crowd disperses a mass of
fallen players slowly disentansle them
selves amidst the laughter OF the specta-
tors.
Pretty girls are out in force, too, and
lend the necessary dash OF color to the
picture. few skate well, but for the
most part they hang onto the arms Of
their escorts with frightened eyes, while
the latter endeavor TO initiate their fair
partners into the m ysteries OF the Dutch
rou'' or backward skating.
noticeable change is the increasing
prevalence of the regular skating costume
OF golf trousers and stockings for men
and short skirts and leggins for the ladies,
with colored sweaters for both. These
costumes give picturesque effect to the
scene, which is watched by great many
people on the banks watching the con-
tinunusly changing picture which, in truth,
is a most beautiful one and well repayS
the trip to the beach. Other spots where
the skating abounds are Chevy Chase Lake,
and Rock Creek, but being so far from
the center OF the city, naturally the large
majority of skaters go to the Basin.
TheIce has been improving all this Week
and yesterday after much of the snow had
been swept away it was pronounced as
fine as Washington ever had by the older
skaters. According to present prospects
The ice will last at least three or four days
longer, and no doubt lovers of the sport
will not fail to improve the opportunity.
They did not tniisstheir chance yesterday, for
it was estimated by the colored attend,
ants at the basin that at least 5000
people We're on theice in the course OF the
day.