convert all old skaters to our views, but still there may be many who would like to pursue their illustrations of this art to the end: among such we expect converts, for the whole art cannot be acquired without its aid. We have the greatest faith that learners, and even many adepts, who choose to follow the teachings contained in this work, will agree with us that to banish the inside edge from figure-skating is a mistake.

The acquisition of what is contained in the seventh chapter ought to transform the learner into what is generally understood by the terms "a good skater." The next chapter ought to add vastly to this reputation. In the last chapter we have thought it advisable to shunt, as in a kind of literary siding, all those nondescript curiosities of our art which do not come up to the standard of our ideas of firstrate movements. It is here, on account of its qualities, we are obliged to put the once favourite figure of our forefathers-the spread eagle.

But we do not in any way wish to prevent the reader from learning them in his by-play, as some are very curious, and all will tend to educate the feet more and more, and make the skater feel confident. We often see the very best skaters occasionally "larking" with some of these things.

In this country it is very hard to get the amount of practice that is undoubtedly necessary; and therefore the skater must take advantage of every opportunity that occurs, and stick to his practice manfully. A beginner often works hard at a particular figure all day, and on leaving off seems to have made very little progress, but the real practice is sure to have done him good service, and probably the next day he will find the figure that yesterday seemed impossible come with the greatest ease.

Under the head of "Ice" will be found much that will assist the learner in carrying this out. In addition, he must turn out even before daybreak. A youth may thus get in the morning an hour and a half's practice without taking him away from his regular duties, on his return from which he will get the best part of an hour's day and twilight; and as for a moonlight night, why that is delightful! and even by artificial light skating can be carried on quite easily. He will then appreciate those entire days' skating which somehow or other he is sure to get. To the man who has plenty of time at his disposal we say, "Enviable being, make the most of it." The schoolboys have a good chance in the Christmas holidays, and we all know how frantically they rush to the ice. To sum up, although there is comparatively very little skating in this country, we can speak from our own experience, "When there is a will to learn, there is a way."

ARTIFICIAL SUPPORT.

We think, as a rule, all artificial support is a mistake, provided that the ankles of the individual learning to skate are tolerably strong and his temperament courageous; for, though the tyro may at

first tumble about a good deal more without than with artificial aids, he will certainly make greater progress, for the very slips, starts, and scrambles of the beginner, being errors, naturally cause a corrective power to be set up, and the education of the skater without artificial support will, under the favourable constitutional circumstances alluded to, be, we think, much more rapid than with it. We refer, however, those who require such aid to the ladies' chapter.

THE DRESS OF THE SKATER.

In considering how a skater should be attired, we have to observe that fashion and custom have not sanctioned, as in other athletic pastimes, a special dress for him, the probable reason being that men rush to the ice before and after business hours, and any peculiar (though comfortable) costume would thus be inconvenient. We need hardly remark that the white cravat, swallow-tailed coat, and pantaloons (the old dress of the Skating Club) are things of the past.

We may also remark that, when a man is about to take violent exercise, no matter what the temperature may be, he, if possible, divests himself with great eagerness of all clothing likely to impede him. Numerous are the instances of this fact, from the peaceful rivalry of rustic games and sports to the deadly land and sea fights. Whilst some, perhaps, may regret the want of a more suitable dress for skating in than that in daily use, they cannot deny that its absence adds much to the popularity of the art, as it enables all to participate in it. Whilst conforming, then, to the fashion of the day, let the skater take care that his clothes are well fitted, so that the action of the arms and legs is not interfered with. The coat, such as the Beaufort, with rounded skirts and buttoned across the chest to prevent the flapping of the said skirts, will do very well, and better indeed than the frock coat, though, perhaps, not so well as the dress coat. We also recommend a warm vest, flannel shirt, and under jersey, with the trousers tight round the waist, whatever fashion is given to the legs, ordinary warm drawers, and socks of cotton, merino, or silk. The overcoat should be used for coming and going, and standing still, but not when skating, as it is not only unnecessary but apt to make the skater so warm that standing still for a few minutes even may give a chill that will cause a cold.

We must absolutely forbid the use on the ice of the walking-stick, as it is utterly useless as an artificial support for the learner, and excessively dangerous to every one in his immediate vicinity. We cannot conceive how any skater can take delight in skating about with such a thing flying in all directions. It is only useful when hockey is in the case.

We now come to

THE BOOTS.

We prefer, after numerous trials of all kinds of boots, those of the lace-up kind, with good stiff, or even double, upper leathers, and moderately thick

sole and low heel. These certainly support the ankle far more than any other sort, and permit easy adjustment. A clever bootmaker will turn them out without being clumsy, and if, in wearing, the leather lace should cut the instep, a little pad of flannel may be serviceable. This tendency to gall the instep can be prevented, however, by well using the boots previously to skating; and when they are quite supple and worn to the feet, they should, if somewhat the worse for wear, be put in thorough repair, and kept for the skating season ; and when laid by, let them be greased with tallow, or better, mutton fat or neat's-foot oil. In putting the oil on they should be first wetted, and oil applied when they are half-dry.

The next best boot in our opinion is the one with elastic sides.

The sole of the boot should not be too broad, as in laying over on the edges, the side of the boot may come in contact with the ice. And for the same reason the wood of the skate must not be quite so wide as the sole, and it must be thinned off towards the edges. In former days, when our experience was less, we have had terrible falls from neglecting to see to this.

The nearer one gets to the ice, the easier it is to skate, as there is less strain on the ankle; therefore, again, the sole of the boot should be only moderately thick, and the iron of the skate and the woodwork should only be deep enough to prevent

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