also be carefully practised and strictly attended to-they will be of the greatest service. There are various feats of activity and manœuvres used upon skates, but they are so various, that we cannot pretend to detail them. Moving on the outside is the primary object for a skater to attain; and when he becomes an adept in that, he will easily acquire a facility in 1. When the practitioner becomes expert in forming the semicircle with both feet, he is then to join them together, and proceed progressively and alternately with both feet, which will carry him forward with a grace-executing other branches of the art. ful movement. 2. Care should be taken to use very little muscular exertion, for the impelling motion should proceed from the mechanical impulse of the body thrown into such a position as to regulate the stroke. 4. In the time of making the curve, the body must be gradually and almost imperceptibly raised, and the unemployed limb brought in the same manner forward: so that, at finishing the curve, the body will bend a small degree backward, and the unemployed foot will be about two inches before the other, ready to embrace the ice, and form a correspondent curve. There are few exercises but will afford him hints of elegant and graceful attitudes. For example, nothing can be more beautiful than the attitude of drawing the bow and arrow, while the skater is making a large circle on the outside: the manual exercise and military salutes have likewise a pretty effect, when used by an expert skater. Skating is an amusement well cal 3. At taking the outside stroke, the body ought to be thrown forward easily, the unemployed limb kept in a direct line with the body, and the face and eyes directly look-culated for the severity of winter, ing forward: the unemployed foot as it contributes to promote both ought to be stretched towards the insensible perspiration and the cirice, with the toes in a direct line culation of the blood. Hence, a sowith the leg. ciety has even been formed in Edinburgh, under the name of the Skating Club; the avowed object of which is the improvement of the recreation, so as to reduce it to the rules of art. Excellence, however, can be attained only by observing the motions of a skilful skater. This innocent pursuit, especially in the south of Britain, where the winters are generally mild, should not be encouraged, unless the ice be of considerable thickness; at the same time, some precaution is necessary to retire from this enticing diversion in proper time: because the body being thrown into sensible perspiration, is thus rendered more susceptible of cold, and unless due attention be paid to this circumstance, a cold will probably be the consequence. 5. The muscular movement of the whole body must correspond with the movement of the skate, and should be regulated so as to be almost imperceptible to the spectators. 6. Particular attention should be paid in carrying round the head and eyes with a regular and imperceptible motion; for nothing so much diminishes the grace and elegance of skating as sudden jerks and exertions, which are so frequently used by the generality of skaters. 7. The management of the arms likewise deserves attention. There is no mode of disposing of them more gracefully, in skating outside, than folding the hands into each other, or using a muff. "The greatest difficulty," says Captain Clias, "being to balance well on bases so narrow as those of skates, it will be very advantageous to teach young persons to walk with them in a room before going on the ice, and to balance themselves, sometimes on one foot, and sometimes on the other. These preparatory exercises will soon enable them to tie on their skates themselves, which, though simple in appearance, is certainly an essential preparation. In order to prevent sprains, on first making use of skates, we should give our hand to some one near us, or hold fast by the surrounding objects, till we are sure of our equilibrium." For the following description, &c. of skates, we are indebted to Captain Clias. "When the wood of the skate projects beyond the sole of the shoe, either before or behind, it retards the progress, by rendering the movement less secure, and may occasion falls. The bottoms should be of good steel, well tempered, and very hard; those which are too thin and weak break easily, and cut too deep a track in the ice; we should, therefore, always prefer those which are nearly a quarter of an inch thick to those which are narrower. The greater part of the skates used in the north are grooved, and have two edges. This form may be useful, because it hinders the foot from slipping when it gives the impulse. Those, however, who are accustomed to skates, whose irons have a plain face, will go with as much security, and even faster, than those which have others. It is essential that the iron be of the same height from the beak to the heel. The common height is about three quarters of an inch: if lower, they are good for nothing; for as soon as the body inclines a little on one side, the skate being no longer in a perpendicular direction, the wood may easily touch the ice, and occasion a slip. Especial care must be taken that the iron be well secured in the wood, for the most important point in this exercise is to have the skates properly fixed. There are commonly three points in the hinder part, which fasten themselves into the heel of the shoe, as soon as the straps are tied, and the skater begins to stand upon them." SKEWBALL. A bay colt, foaled 1741, bred by the Earl of Godolphin, was got by his lordship's Arabian, dam (own sister to Bajazet's dam) by Whitefoot; grandam the Leedes Mare by Leedes, out of Queen Anne's Moonah Barb Mare. 1747, July 17 th, Skewball, the property of Sir Harry Harpur, won 50l. at Bury St. Edmund's, Suffolk, beating Mr. Greville's Sportley by Spinner, and two others.-July 29th, 50l. at Huntingdon, beating Sportley and Water Gruel by the Bolton Mogul, a son of the Godolphin Arabian.-August 25th, 50l. at Leicester, beating Grimthorp, by a son of Flying Childers, and distancing two others in the first heat.-Sept. 16th, 50l. at Peterborough, beating Merry Cupid, by the Bolton Mogul, and Mr. Bigland's Ranger: three others were distanced in the second heat. In 1752, Skewball changed masters, and was bought by Arthur Mervin, Esq. "the pearl of our land," in the words of the old ballad, who raced him in Ireland, where he won many plates, also a match beating Sir Ralph Gore's Gray Mare by Victorious, dam by Parker, 9st. four miles, 300 gs. each. This match was run Saturday, March 28th, 1752, over the Curragh of Kildare; Skewball carried 8 st. 7 lb. SKITTLES. The game of skittles differs materially from that of ninepins, though the same number of pins is required in both. In performing the latter, the player stands at a distance settled by mutual consent of the parties concerned, and casts the bowl at the pins: the contest is, to beat them all down at the fewest throws. In playing at skittles there is a double exertion; one by bowling, the other by tipping: the first is performed at a given distance, and the second standing close to the frame upon which the pins are placed, and throwing the bowl through in the midst of them: in both cases the number of pins beaten down before the return of the bowl, for it usually passes beyond the frame, are called fair, and reckoned to the account of the player; but those that fall by the coming back | inhabit the seas that wash these of the bowl are said to be foul, and islands the whole year, except when of course not counted. One chalk SKYSCRAPER. foaled 1786, bred by the Duke of Bedford, was got by Highflyer out of Everlasting by Eclipse; grandam Hyæna by Snap; great grandam Miss Belsea (sister to Fribble's they ascend the rivers. In certain dam) by Regulus; great great gran- | rivers they appear a long time before dam (Squirrel's dam) by Bartlett's they spawn, being taken in great Childers-Honywood's Arabian-abundance in November, December, dam of the two True Blues. and January in the Thames and Dee, but in others not till February; and in March and April they spawn; after which they all return to the salt water, and are not seen in the rivers till the next season. They In addition to the Derby stakes at Epsom, the prince's stakes, the jockey and claret stakes, two king's plates at Newmarket, the king's plate at Winchester, this well-bred horse won in matches and sweep-never come into the Mersey as long stakes 5107 guineas, and three 50l. plates. He was afterwards a stallion at Woburn. Skyscraper died in December, 1807, aged 21. as there is any snow water in the river. These fish vary greatly in size; but the largest we ever heard of was thirteen inches long, and weighed half a pound. They have a very particular scent, whence is SLOW TOP. One who unfortunately appears by a covert's side within twenty miles of Melton Mow-derived one of their English names, bray under any of the following circumstances:With a front to his bridle or with a martingal; on a country-made saddle with nobs on his stirrups; with a saddle-cloth; in a straight-cut coat; in leather breeches, or military spurs. It is deemed impossible that such a man can do the thing."-Notes to Billesdon Coplow. SLUTH, SLOUTH, or SLEUTH HOUND. See BLOODHOUND. SMELT, or SPARLING (Osmerus). It inhabits the seas of the northern parts of Europe, and is found as far south as the Seine. They are also taken in the Straits of Magellan, and of a most surprising size, some measuring twenty inches in length and eight in circumference. They smelt, i. e. smell it. That of spar- The green, beneath which it is varied | did not run afterwards: he was a with blue, and then succeeds a beautiful gloss of a silvery hue. Smelts rise to a shrimp, pieces of lobster, blood worms, and also red worms. "You must have," says Mr. Salter, "an exceeding strong and flexible top to your rod, strong gut line, heavy float, and from ten to twelve or more hooks, about eight or nine inches apart." A long line is necessary, as smelts are always found in deep water. We are told also on the same authority, "that the best place to catch smelts, near London, is in the canal that runs from Limehouse-hole to Blackwall, through the isle of dogs: they are also sometimes taken off the logs lying in the Thames, and in all the wet-docks below London Bridge. You may fish for smelts from July to November and December: very early and late is the most successful time. In 1720, there was such a glut of this delicious fish in the Thames, that the women and children lined the banks between London and Greenwich to angle for them.WALTON, Editor of Bagster's edition. SNAFFLE. A well known kind of bridle in very general use; it is a slender bit-mouth without any branches. See BRIDLE. very fine horse, of a beautiful shape, SNAP. A brown horse, foaled in 1750, bred by C. Routh, Esq. who disposed of him to Jennison Shafto, Esq. Snap was got by Snip, his dam by Lord Portmore's Fox out of the Duke of Bolton's Gipsy. At Newmarket first spring meeting, 1756, Snap beat the Duke of Cum-second spring meeting, 1777. There berland's Marske, 10 st. each, B. C. 1000 gs. In the second spring meeting, he beat Marske a second time, same weight, B. C. 1000 gs. The odds at starting were 10 to 1 on Snap, and over the Flat, 30 to 1. Snap also won the free plate of 1001. at York: he received 50 gs. not to start for the plate of 100l. at Stock was also another daughter, who was mother of the famous Pantaloon; the mother of Shark was likewise of this family, as was the mother of the celebrated Alfred. He has left many valuable legacies to his different relations; but the bulk of his fortnne, amounting to upwards of 30,000l. he generously distributed in his life time to his patrons the Shafto family. His seat at West Wratting, he has bequeathed to his favourite daughter Angelica (Assassin's dam) for life, where she is now resident." SNAP-ANGLING is practised with two large hooks, tied back to The common snipe, when seen on the ground, from the manner in which it carries its head, presents a handsome appearance; though its long bill, compared with its size, seems out of proportion. In some parts of Ireland they are found in great abundance; in fact, snipes are met with in nearly all parts of the world. The snipe weighs about four back, and a smaller one, on which the bait is fixed. Your tackle must be very strong, the line short, with a large cork float, leaded sufficiently to make it swim upright in the water. The moment you perceive the cork sink, strike strongly and quickly, and have the landing net in readiness to put under the fish when raised out of the water. SNIGGLING. See EEL. SNIPE. During winter, snipes usually inhabit marshy and wet grounds, where they shelter themselves among the rushes. In frosty, and more particularly in snowy wea ther, they resort in great numbers to warm springs, where the rills continue open. In summer, they are found in the midst of the highest mountains as well as on the moors; their nests are formed of dry grass; they lay four eggs of a dirty olive colour, marked with dusky spots. Notwithstanding that the snipe is a migratory bird, it may be doubted whether they ever entirely quit our shores. When disturbed, particularly in the breeding season, they soar to a great height, making a peculiar bleating noise; and when they descend, dart down with vast rapidity. Although the snipe resembles the woodcock in appearance, and that their food is the same, yet their habits are very dissimilar. ounces; on the approach of November, they become fat, have a rich flavour, and, like the woodcock, are cooked with the entrails. Of all their enemies, perhaps the snipe has none more destructive than the blue hawks, which, says Mr. Daniel," beat over a marsh or bog with great exactness, until they find the snipe, who through fear crouches as close to the ground as possible, and which they instantly seize." A young rabbit, or a rabbit's skin stuffed, placed on the bridge of a trap, and the trap carefully covered with moss if set in a bog, or with grass if in a marsh, will generally prove successful, especially as, whichever way they fly in a morning, they are sure to return by the same course in the afternoon; and, if not disturbed, will continue the same beat for four or five successive days. This will sufficiently intimate where to place the trap so as most probably to engage their attention. SNIPE, JACK (Scolopax gallinula, Linn.). The haunts and food of this species (called also the JUDCOCK, the GID, the HALF SNIPE), which does not weigh above two ounces, are the |