that are very slightly curved, certainly not more than is given by a radius of seven feet:* this we can answer for is a curve that readily clears the ice in turning, and, finding this to be the case, we intend to try a curve with even a greater radius. Now Walker, in his "Manly Exercises," talks of two feet for the radius! Why, this is greater than the American and Canadian "rockers," which are much too highly curved. It has been suggested that the curve should not be an exact portion of a circle, but rather of the ellipse. With this we do not agree at all. The ellipse certainly clears the heel and toe rather more readily in turning than the exact circle, but the heel and toe are the parts of the skate we work the most, and therefore wish them as near to the ice as is consistent with free turning.

Thus, in selecting a pair of skates, attention should be paid to all these points, and notice carefully taken that the iron is straight, not "buckled," a very common imperfection. It should be ascertained also by the skater whether he can fit them on easily, and stand upright in his natural position without feeling his feet cramped. We think we all wear the heels of our boots too high: surely it is not possible for man to improve upon the design of the human foot. Boots with heels one and a half inch high! If the foot required such an ele

* In a recent number of the Field a writer suggests a radius of six feet.

G

vation, certainly the Creator would have bestowed His most finished work.*

it

upon

*

Before we pass on to the practical part of our work, we must not forget to say a few words upon

THE CARE OF SKATES.

Let every one, directly the winter is fairly over, get his skates and boots ready for the next season. As a rule, no one thinks about skating until the frost has fairly set in, when there is a general rush to the skate-maker, and the screw or pike that wanted resetting, or the irons that wanted regrinding, cannot be done; or if they can, it is in so hurried a manner, that they are almost sure to be badly done.

After use, skate-irons should be wiped quite dry, and any symptoms of rust removed with fine emery paper (care being taken not to blunt the edges); they should then be smeared with tallow or oil, the tallow having been first melted and allowed to trickle drop by drop into cold water. This process eliminates any salt that may be in the tallow. If oil be used, the best is two-thirds marrow oil mixed with one-third benzine. On applying this to the iron, the benzine evaporates and leaves a

* The reason such high heels are required arises from the absurd fashion bootmakers have of making boots on lasts that curl up at the toes. With such a last a high heel becomes necessary; but if any one will try having a pair of lasts made flat at the soles, and the boots made on them with very low heels, the comfort will be found immense.

thin film of oil all over the iron. If the woodwork has not been French-polished, it is a good plan to rub in occasionally plenty of linseed oil, whereby it is rendered extremely hard, and does not get so dirty or discoloured. When the woodwork is stained black and polished, the skates at first look extremely neat on the feet, but the staining and polish soon get shabby. The straps should also be wiped, and hung up with weights attached to them until quite dry, and then greased with tallow or mutton fat, if necessary, before they are laid up in ordinary.

CHAPTER IV.

GENERAL PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS.

THE plan of teaching we wish to carry out, is to educate the feet in the most thorough manner, as to the means of getting impulse under all practicable circumstances, and then to work out this impulse in an appropriate attitude, in a balanced position on one foot, introducing at various times all the changes it is practicable to execute, and with as little loss from friction as possible, and to concentrate in these directions a groundwork of instruction, to which the skater may always refer when in doubt or difficulty. As each movement is described in its proper place, we shall add any further instruction that the particular nature of it may require. The main body of directions necessary, and indeed imperative, for the skater to know, are contained in the following group.

1. The two edges of a skate are called, from long habit, inside and outside (but that they are virtually one in principle has already been explained in the Theory). The inside edge is on the right of the

left, and the left of the right skate. The outside edge is on the right of the right and the left of the left skate, whether the motion be forwards or backwards. The movements of the skate are four, viz. the inside forwards, the inside backwards, the outside forwards, and the outside backwards. It is necessary to learn at once, then, in order to simplify our after descriptions, that—

A represents inside forwards.

Now this can be done in a very short time, and when learnt should never be forgotten.

The four turns which can be made on or from these edges will therefore be designated, for the single variety

Turn A.

Turn B.

Turn C.

Turn D.

And those containing more turns than one, accord

ing to their number, thus

Two turns A, B, C, or D, as the case may be. Or,

Three turns A, B, C, or D.

Or,

Four turns A, B, C. or D.