entrusted to the earth, and to contribute to the mirth and sports of
man.

A few days have passed since the occurrences last detailed. The
weather had gradually become colder; the ground was as hard as a
stone; there had been a heavy fall of snow, and the streets were
musical with bells. The snow had fallen before the intense cold
commenced, so that the glassy surface of the ice that bridged the
rivers and lakes was undimmed, and presented unusual attractions to
the skaters.

It was on the afternoon of a fine day that the smooth Severn, hardened
into diamond, was covered, just where the Yaupáae and the Wootúppocut
unite, to give it form and an independent being, with a gay throng
of the people of the village of both sexes. They were mostly young
persons, consisting principally of boys from school (for it was
Saturday afternoon) with their sisters. Besides these were some young
men and women, with here and there one more advanced in years.

It was a scene of gaiety and exuberant enjoyment. The children let
loose from school, where they had been confined all the week, put no
bounds to the loud and hilarious expression of their delight, which
the seniors showed no disposition to check--remembering they once were
children--and the banks of the stream rung with shouts and answering
cries and laughter. Here, flying round in graceful curves, a dexterous
skater cut his name in the ice; there, bands of noisy boys were
playing tag, and on the ringing steel pursuing the chase; while every
once in a while down would tumble some lubberly urchin, or unskillful
performer, or new beginner, coming into harder contact with the frozen
element than was pleasant, and seeing stars in the daytime, while