name conventional use has given to the particular edge he is said to be upon.

It naturally follows that we are led to inquire here what it is that makes the so-called outside more beautiful, striking, and popular than the socalled inside?

Well, it is chiefly owing to the very bad way in which the inside is almost invariably done, and partly to the fact that the position of the skater -balanced on one foot, and leaning over in the direction under consideration, without a leg ready, as in the inside edge, to support the employed foot in case of a mistake-appears foreign and unusual as contrasted with our ordinary habits and requirements incidental to our actions on terra firma. Hence its singularity when illustrated in a gliding motion.

But the reader may say, "You have already proved that in principle the inside and outside are alike, and this does not account for the difference." It does not, indeed, in consequence of the violent contrast which at present exists between the two, to the injury and disgrace of the inside, and this owing to the attitude, which always gives the idea, from the leg unemployed being held out at the side, that the skater is supported or propped up, as it were, and therefore in no apparent danger of falling.

Now we propose a remedy for this which will bring the inside very much nearer in appearance and beauty to the outside by giving it that semblance of danger from falling which is the charm of the outside, and which makes such a remarkable and vivid impression upon the minds of children, and even too on those of older growth. We well remember once hearing the remark of a little girl whilst clutching her mother's dress in that peculiar manner demonstrative of fear, as she watched a skater coming towards her on a smooth and steady curve of outside forwards, "Mamma! mamma! he'll fall! he'll fall!"

The remedy we propose, then, is to remove the unemployed leg. Start not, gentle reader! Not by a surgical operation, but merely by placing it out of the way in the rear, as we shall more fully detail in our general directions. This will make the inside unobjectionable for figure-skating, and, as a consequence, a large and novel field of practice comes into use, and the entire system of skating can be pursued to the very end.

The position of the circus equestrian in the slow and rapid acts of horsemanship, and the lifting of his feet, will afford matter for useful reflection on the subject of outside and inside.

Here are the views of another writer on skating, Cyclos: "The turns on the inside edge are comparatively easy, because the skater requires to lean very little off the centre of gravity, and it is

towards that side where he has the other foot ready to support him in case of need. Those on the outside edge are, on the other hand, very difficult to attain, because the learner must lean very considerably off the centre of gravity before he properly reaches the outside edge, and he leans to that side where he is deprived of the aid of the other foot. It would be quite impossible to stand in this position, but he can circle or curve, because the centrifugal force keeps him from falling."

In no spirit of criticism, we would merely remark that it is impossible to stand in either of the positions alluded to without motion.

It is quite the fact that a skater, or rather a learner, would more readily be placed from his natural position at rest, on to the inside edge, for this reason, that standing with both feet parallel on the ice, and keeping the body upright, it is impossible to retain the centre of gravity, when one foot is lifted, unless the body is shifted over to the contrary side; in short, the mere lifting of one foot, from its weight, makes the learner incline to the inside when the body is kept upright and the balance arranged for both feet. But this reasoning does not stand good for a balance on one foot, and, therefore, on the flat of the iron, for then the inclination to catch either edge would be identical. We can hardly use either the expression "leaning off the centre of gravity," because no leaning over can be practical until centrifugal force comes into play, and then the ensuing balance upsets the expression.

Like all other writers, Cyclos advises the learner to avoid practising the inside edge forwards, as, he says, it is never used by good skaters, and he fears it rather impedes the acquirement of the outside, but backwards, he says, it is a different thing; yet he insists upon the learner being able to do the reverse 3 figure, which begins upon the inside forwards; and in the same manner he alludes to the Q figure, of which it forms a third.

Now here we have a proof of its value from one who would no doubt rather have nothing to say in its favour, but who, when he wishes to write about any extension of the art, finds it cannot be dispensed with. We trust that so excellent a writer will think better of the inside forwards in its new dress.

In the great modern skating winter of 1860–61, a letter appeared in the Times, the writer of which said in substance that the best and quickest way to learn skating was to walk forwards, alternately crossing the feet, this is what is known as the "cross roll," or "cross outside," as by this means the outside edge would be acquired in a remarkably short time; and of course it has become an established opinion amongst most skaters, especially

those of the old school, that when the outside is acquired, all the other movements are mere trifles ! Now the act of walking on the ice in this crossed position is extremely difficult for a beginner, and, when the difficulty is mastered, the outside edge will also no doubt be so. The great advantage in this method is that we get a "prop," but we get into a bad habit also, for the style of skating by this method can be nothing else than excessively small and cramped, because the stroke from the crossed edge is very feeble with the inexperienced skater, and the arcs or curves very small and contracted. We hesitate not to say that, if any skater thinks he will learn the art, as it should be learnt, by this method, our experience tells us he will be grievously disappointed. There is no royal road to the acquisition of it; plenty of practice, accompanied with the necessary nerve, intelligence, and perseverance, and carried out by directions framed from the principles which we have already described, will alone enable the learner to attain the summit of excellence in the shortest possible time, according to his natural abilities, whilst a foundation is laid upon which may be built anything novel and

difficult.

Yet we will not go so far as to say this is the case with all. We admit that without any theoretical knowledge a very, very small proportion of skaters will take to and learn this art intuitively, but the immense number who never can do so unless