3-071-128 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Skating on the Serpentine by torchlight - "follow my leader", 1881. 'Ice, in large quantities, has not unfrequently been seen on the Thames in London during winters of ordinary severity; bui the intense frost which set in last week froze the water within a couple of days to an extent that rendered navigation difficult...but there were enthusiastic skaters who braved the elements in Hyde Park, to enjoy their favourite sport. It was freezing more or less all the day. Skaters slid along before the wind without any personal exertion...a great deal of good skating was enjoyed by Londoners...throughout the past week. The scene at night on the Serpentine, with "Follow My Leader" by torchlight, was repeated with complete success, and is the present subject of one of our Illustrations'. From "Illustrated London News", 1881.