"Let not the reader, even if he should accomplish all that we have described as actual results, and all that we have forecasted, sigh that there are no more worlds to conquer, no more victories to be achieved. Were this not a true art, he might have occasion to do so; but it is, and in it he will always be a learner, seeking the ever far off goal of perfection in his illustrations of the art of skating, which, taking into account its scientific beauties, its elegance, its invigorating and health-giving qualities, may fairly claim the highest place in all manly recreations, especially in that peculiar season when 'the face of the deep is frozen, and the waters hid as with a stone."

CHAPTER XII.

BEING A CHAPTER FOR THE LADIES, CONTAINING REMARKS UPON :

The Frost-The Dress-The Boots-The Age at which to beginArtificial Support—Natural Support—Explanation of the Edges -The Skate The Fastening of the Skate—Putting on Skates in a Room-The Mechanical Skate with Wheels-The Attitude and general Action-The first Attempts to learn (Double Serpentine)——The Inside Edge forwards—The Inside Edge backwards-The Outside Edge forwards-A Two-footed Figure backwards, embracing both Edges-The Figure of 3—The Outside Edge backwards—The Combined Figure.

THE FROST.

We can scarcely imagine a more delightful, exhilarating, and health-giving exercise for ladies in winter-time than skating. Do they not participate equally with ourselves in the indescribable charm of a fine fresh frosty morning, the roads as hard as adamant, and ringing to the sound of horses' hoofs and carriage wheels; the windows feathered and obscured with lovely crystals, so that it is only after the eager boys have breathed upon a little spot with great energy, that Paterfamilias gets a sight of the favourite thermometer, and finds that

the mercury bids fair to forsake the tube altogether, and take up its residence entirely in the bulb? Every blade of grass on the lawn, too, covered with its coating of white glassy dust, or the graceful trees bending their slender branches with the weight of a heavy rime, placed there in an enchanting manner in the night, by Nature's magic hand.

We rejoice to think that within the last few years the girls of England have been taking to skating in considerable numbers; and desiring to facilitate their efforts to learn, we have strung together a few practical remarks, we trust for their benefit, as we have had some experience in teaching our relatives and friends. We propose to give our remarks and instructions under a few separate heads, commencing with

THE DRESS.

Start not, fair readers! We are not so rash as to enter into a discussion with you on a topic in which, had we the ability, we certainly should not have the presumption, to interfere; we would rather agree with you that the present large chignon is admirably adapted as a buffer or fender to save the back of the head from the painful effects of an unlucky tumble. Should we find you wearing a dress rather short, we should smilingly approve. We would, however, suggest that the arms have free motion, as they are great aids to balancing.

And now that we have tried to make ourselves so amiable, you must let us have our way with

THE BOOTS.

Yes, we must insist upon the lace-up boots as the best support to the ankle, and (at the sacrifice of supposed elegance) we must also insist on the absence of the tremendously high heels at present in vogue.

THE AGE AT WHICH TO BEGIN TO LEARN.

We recommend to all who wish to skate to commence learning at a very early age. We have seen children of seven go along very fairly. We believe that the art may be learnt at any reasonable age. However, let not our fair readers be deterred, thinking they are too old to learn, as in reality it is easier for a person of say fourteen or eighteen to learn, than a child of seven or eight, as the ankles become, as a rule, stronger with advancing years.

ARTIFICIAL SUPPORT.

We divide our fair friends into two classes: those whose temperament is naturally timid, and whose physical powers are a little under the usual standard (and in which class we include those with weak ankles), and those who are courageous and

strong. The former class will probably require artificial support to enable them to learn.

Now, some years ago we read of the suggestion as a support to ladies learning skating, of the use of a kind of basket-work crinoline or petticoat, and therefore of a bell-shape, tightly strapped round the waist, and reaching within a few inches of the ice. With this it would certainly appear impossible to fall, but we have never heard of its having come into practical use. We think the suggestion might, however, prove a very good one.

The chair has always been the most ready and sufficient support; the back should be taken hold of, the seat being furthest from the skater. When leaning too heavily, though, it sometimes tilts back, and we agree with another writer on skating, "Cyclos," that a light framework of wood might be put into better form than a chair, for the purpose of support, and used with great advantage in learning.

The ordinary stick is a very bad and treacherous aid; we are both most opposed to its use.

NATURAL SUPPORT.

By far the most agreeable, if not quite perhaps the best aid, is for the young lady to be supported by the arms, or by the elbows, or hands, either by two or a "single" gentleman. The time taken in learning, it is true, is thus much prolonged, for