getting his newly rounded heels, simultaneously elevated his toes, expecting to bring himself to a graceful state of repose; instead of which he came down an "awful cropper," charging feet foremost in the most undignified way into the midst of the fair bevy, and scattering them in all directions. But, of course, if skating is learned on rounded heels, the skater would not be tempted into the indiscretion of our unfortunate friend.

The figure skater who uses skates rounded at both ends can stop himself short, even at considerable speed, by placing the unemployed foot boldly down in front of and at right angles to the line of progress, at the same time bending and leaning the body well back from the direction in which he is advancing. He can also skid one skate, or even both, by turning them slightly in, or he can place one across and behind the other, and so let it drag. When he is a good figure skater, he has a host of resources in the turns and serpentine lines by which his course can be deflected, reversed, or arrested, but he ought to make himself master of the method of stopping by putting the foot across the line of progress; because he can thus instantly avoid a hole in the ice, or any unforeseen obstacle, which may be suddenly presented to his onward progress.

We now come to

THE TURN ON BOTH FEET,

Which is done almost on the flat of the iron. The acquisition of it will tend very much to increase the nerve of the learner, and will be of great assistance in enabling him to practise the backward movements, as it easily, quickly, and safely changes the direction from forwards to backwards, or backwards to forwards, at any obtainable velocity; and this before he has acquired the confidence, which long practice alone gives, to make such a change on one foot only.

After a few strokes, let the beginner slide forwards on both skates, then by a somewhat sudden half turn, either to the right or left, reverse the skates and the position of the body, pressing at the same moment principally on the toes, in order to clear the heels, upon which he will afterwards mainly rest; he will then proceed on both feet backwards in a straight line from whence he started, until his impulse is exhausted. Then let him again start forwards in the same manner, and when he has mastered the turn, which he ought to do in a very short time, he can learn it from backwards to forwards; and, finally, combine the two directions in one movement. Whilst carrying out this kind of practice, the body is necessarily full front.

THE INSIDE EDGE BACKWARDS.

This may be taken up from the above turn by continuing on both feet backwards; then by turning

the left slightly in, and pressing the ice with its inside edge, let the sliding be taken up on the

A moment before The foot that has

Plan of the Inside Edge backwards on the right and left feet. the stroke the unemployed begins to move into action. given the stroke then becomes the unemployed. See the arrows and dotted lines.