Two Turns C.-One from the outside forwards, which leaves him on the inside backwards, from which another turn is made, restoring him again to the outside forwards. Two Turns D.-One from the outside backwards, which leaves him on the inside forwards, from which another turn is made, restoring him again to the outside backwards. Observe, first, that by any of these two turns the skater is brought back to the original starting edge. Secondly, that any odd number of turns changes the direction of going from forwards to backwards, or backwards to forwards. Thirdly, that by any even number of turns, the original direction of going is preserved. Fourthly, that plural turns are but the coupling of the respective single turns that apply to each other. The skater must be particularly careful to learn the art of being steady, by making the curves between the turns large and equidistant, and dwelling very long on the edge after making the last turn. It is a common and bad fault with skaters to make an involuntary turn, from having indulged in the bad practice of starting off with a spin, the consequence of which is, that the turns are dwarfed; one curve will perhaps be only a few inches, and the other two yards. The facilities which arise in skating for using the cross impulse at once become apparent. The skater can combine it with such outside turns forwards and backwards as are suitable, and can easily ramble about the ice with an alternating action, without any fresh start but what naturally belongs to such turns when continued and sustained from the cross impulse. They make a really excellent and effective performance for the single skater, and one which every onlooker admires for its graceful singularity. To take a smart run and do two Turns C, continuing on the outside edge steadily for a long and large curve, is another severe test of good skating. We think that the fact of being able to imitate a figure 5 (Fig. 36**) has never been observed. One of the writers found out in his practice years ago that two turns arranged properly will readily make it visible. The next combination is THE DOUBLE THREE, OR THREE TURNS (Figs. 37 I. II. III. IV.), which is effected by adding one more turn to the last figure. The double being composed of three turns (an odd number), reverses the direction of the movement. If it be begun on a forward, it is consequently finished on a backward edge. There are two ways of using the unemployed leg in this figure. The first and old method is by swinging it in a peculiar manner forwards or FIG. 37. 1. FIG. 37. 11. FIG.37. IV. FIG. 37. 111. backwards, according to the direction of the turn that is being made; and then when the change is completed, gathering in the swing again. (It is vain to attempt to describe further an action which varies so in individuals.) It has a bold and fine effect when neatly done. The other way is with the leg behind as usual, which method is more difficult, and to our views by far superior to the other, except, perhaps, in such a case as we shall presently describe. However, this is entirely a matter of taste. To skate the double 3 to perfection, an immense amount of hard practice is necessary; it will not yield to a bungler. To make a few hurried spins, the whole of which can be surrounded by a child's hoop perhaps, and fancy we are doing the double 3, is a great delusion, and, as a rule, the performer who so makes them can only do them at a happy moment, and as often fails in his attempts as not. The turns must come without apparent effort, and the curves or semicircles must be large and clean cut. The key to all this is undoubtedly a perfect study of separate single turns, without any curl or spin on to aid them, and the observance of great care in making forward turns on the toe and backward turns on the heel. The difficulties of the plural turns go on increasing with the size and velocity at which they may be attempted; at a high velocity, the centrifugal force being very great, they are only under the control of the best skaters. We have been induced to dwell much |