the street," and this by reason of his swaying from side to side. It is the same idea, no doubt, that gives rise to the application of the word to the cross outside.

THE OUTSIDE EDGE BACKWARDS.

To learn this equally fine movement we shall adopt a similar plan to that recommended for learning the outside forwards, skating backwards, of course, instead of forwards, round the circle. Impetus to effect this may be obtained by forward inside strokes, the turn on both feet to backwards, and a few back strokes; then let the skater continue with both feet, running in the parallel curves of a very large circle, and let him practise the art of easing off the weight of the body from the foot that is on the larger curve (the outer) until he can gradually lift it from the ice; impetus must be sustained by occasional strokes of the same foot, or, if more convenient, a fresh start made. The sustaining power of the centrifugal force can be experienced by turning the foot that is describing the outside, a little more in to the centre, so as to make somewhat suddenly a smaller curve; this will immediately give the skater a practical proof of the certainty of such movement, restoring the balance if in danger of being lost.

Having thus far acquired the edge, the alternate large curves should be struck in the sideways attitude (Fig. 18); next, the circles which make the

K

fourth 8 (Fig. 19). The closing practice should be the swift run forwards, the turn on both feet to backwards, and the immense

FIG.19

O.B.R

STROKE

STROKE

spiral to a state of rest without touching the ice with the unemployed foot; this will test the attainments of the learner in outside backwards, which on the large scale is a very fine and bold movement, and moreover a safe edge to be on at the highest. velocity.* It must not be forgotten that the weight of the body should be on the toe-part of the skates, in forward edges, and on the heel, in back edges. Want of nerve in throwing the weight of the body well on to the heel is the cause of the great difficulty that is experienced in learning the back edges. We now arrive at

THE CROSS OUTSIDE FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS.

The feet and legs in these movements are crossed in the act of striking. Therefore everything takes place on the outside edge, and to compensate for the unusual and somewhat disadvantageous position of the feet and the less vigorous impulse obtainable, it is necessary to pay great attention to the remarks in General Direction 9,

* Another excellent method of learning the outside backwards is given in the Ladies' Chapter.