FLUSHING SKATING-POND. 163 



aglow and their eyes sparkling, and with their neat 

 dresses and dainty feet. On the Central Park the 

 troublesome boys annoy me, and the private ponds 

 are so filled with superior artists that I am ashamed 

 to appear on them ; skating is not only a fashionable 

 recreation, but peculiarly a country pastime, where 

 ponds abound, not having been filled up to make city 

 lots ; so I determined to take advantage of Weeville s 

 suggestion. 



Moreover, I am fond of the best people ; I like 

 good society. It is pleasant to mention that I met 

 so and so, and imply that we are on intimate terms. 

 Of course, all are equals in this country, and my fam 

 ily is exceedingly old, going back almost to the time 

 of my grandfather. I have a right to consideration, 

 but still one feels better to be among the best. Be 

 sides these two attractions, Weeville had intimated 

 that the young ladies of the neighborhood frequented 

 that favored pond ; this was a still stronger induce 

 ment. Woman is pretty in every costume that fash 

 ion adopts ; she is angelic in high bonnets and divine 

 in flat hats ; she is bewitching in tight skirts, and en 

 rapturing in balloon crinoline ; she is entrancing in 

 short robes, and overwhelming in long trains ; wheth 

 er she wears feathers or ribbons, crape or colors, high 

 necks or low necks, she is charming ; but in a skat- 



