Norwich bulletin., 1916-10-19

or drive in sledges. Skating is as easy and natural with them as walking and they skim along with such rapidity that they are almost invisible.
 In former years wagers were ire quently made among the pest Dutch skaters as to which of them could keep up with the railway train that ran along the edge of the canal; and often the. skater not only kept up with the train but even outstripped it.
 But the rapfdity of their skating is not the only remarkable thing about it; another feature very much to be admired is the security with which they traverse long distances. People sometimes skate from The Hague to Amsterdam and back in the same day; university students who leave Utrecht in the morning, dine at Amsterdam and get back to college before night. Many of the farmers skate from one
 city to another at night. Sometimes walking along the canal one sees human figure pass and disappear like an arrow; it is a peasant girl carrying milk to some house in sthe city.
 When the snow is hard comes the turn of the sledges. Every family has one, and at the usual hour they come out by hundreds. They go by in a long file, two and three together; some shaped like shells, some like swans, dragon boats or coaches. gilded and painted in different colors, and drawn
 
 rich furs. their heads ornamented by feathers and tassels and their harness studded with glittering paints. They toss their heads in a cloud of vapor from their bodies, their names spark ling with frost; the sleighs leap for ward and the splendid pageant passes and disappears.
 Sometimes ice ships in full sail are seen skimming over the frozen canals, going so fast that the faces of the few who dare try the adventure are terribly out by the wind.
 The most beautiful fetes in Holland are given on the ice. When the Mouse is frozen, Rotterdam becomes a place of reunions and amusements. The snow is brushed away until the ice is as clean as a crystal GOT; res taurants, coffeehouse, with pavilions and benches for spectators are set up, and at night all is illumina ted. Dur ing the day @ throng of skaters of all ages and classes crowds the river.
 In other towns, especially in Fries land, which is the classic land of art, there are societies of skaters who in stitute public races for prizes. Skaters and flags are set tip along the ca nals; rai1ings and stands are raised; i; immense crowds assemble from the villages and the countryside: bands play; the elite of the town are present There are races for men and races for wOmen then men and women race to- gether. The names of the winners are inscribed upon the roll of the society and are famous for years afterward.
 The first day on which the ice on the canal and rivers is solid enough for skating is a holiday in all Dutch towns. Early skaters who have been experimenting at sunrise spread the news; the papers announce it: groups of boys in the streets burst into shouts of delight; servants ask permission to go out with the determined air of peo- pie who have decided to rebel if re- fused; and old ladies and gentlemen forget their years and go to the canal to chat with friends and children.
 At %he Hague the basin in the mid dle of the city near the Binnenhof is invaded by crowd of people who in terlace, knock against one another and form a confused. siddy mass.
 The flower of the aristocracy skates on the pond in the middle and whirl- ing maze of officers, ladies. students old men and boys. among whom the crown prince is sometimes seen. r Thousands of spectators gather around, music enlivens the festival and the enormous disk of the sun ot Holland sinking towards the horizon sends it's dazzling salutations through the gigantic beech trees.
 GEORGIANNA F'REGEAUT, Age 13. TaftVille.