now.

CHAPTER XV.

SKAITERS-WINTER, 1783-PANTOMIME ON THE ICE.

cause.

1783. The remark of the old man in Gil Blas that the peaches were not so fine as when he was a lad, may be applied to the seasons. The summers were formerly much hotter, and the winters colder than This cannot be doubted, whatever may be the Some maintain that the draining of the land has worked this change, and what rather confirms this notion is, that a similar effect is taking place in America, by cutting down the woods and clearing the country. Upon the first appearance of a sharp frost, which often took place early in November, every boy was elated at the thought of a long winter, in which he could learn to skait, a pleasure that had no bounds. Before it was light we were down in the meadows, with frost-bitten fingers, to learn this gentleman-like diversion. The art was brought to Leicester, by the French and Dutch prisoners, during the American war, and was much taken to and enjoyed by all ranks, as a manly exercise. The highest point of excellence was to throw the body fearlessly on the outer edge of the skait, by which your progress ran into a succession of graceful curves. This cannot be attained but at the hazard of many dangerous falls. I too well remember,

in

my first essay, that I pitched upon my head, and, by the violent concussion, lost my sight for some hours. However, so great is the charm for flying like the wind, that these mishaps are soon forgotten. Experienced skaiters perform prodigies in this way, which, for elegant movement, surpass even the grace of the ball-room minuets.

The winter of 1783 was so intense, and of such long continuance, that a party of the best skaiters got up a dramatic pantomime, which they performed upon the broad sweep of the river, opposite to the Bath gardens. Harlequin and Columbine were represented by the fleetest skaiters. They were followed by Pantaloon and Justice Guttle. There had been just established a set of noisy watchmen in the town, with their great coats, rattles, and lanthorns. These gentry formed part of the dramatis persona. Besides these were sailors, milkmaids, gipsies, and ballad singers, who sang and sold droll songs, written for the occasion. Nuns and friars were not forgotten. The devil pursuing the baker caused much laughter, as his satanic majesty, with his long tail rushed through the crowd. The characters were in masks and grotesquely dressed, and the harlequinade mightily pleased the spectators on the banks, who loudly applauded the scene. Goethë was a skaiter, and took vast pleasure in it. He the word comes from Schreiten-to stride-because, like the Homeric gods, the skaiter strides away on winged shoes, over the sea-frozen plain.

says