3-008-988 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The International Exhibition: "Winter in Zealand", by A. Dillens, 1862. Engraving of a painting. 'As in other parts of Holland, the rivers and canals are all frozen over for a considerable time in winter, and then a great part of the population betake themselves to skating either for business or pleasure. Without skates trade would be suspended, and locomotion nearly destroyed. Provisions of various kinds, and even the necessaries of life, are brought by women skaters along the rivers and canals from remote villages to the markets of the principal towns. Business is transacted, visits paid, and courting performed, on the ice...lovemaking under such circumstances should make rapid progress and the course of true love run particularly smooth, notwithstanding a few slips, or even a fall or two. The comely young couple in the picture have, however, mutually taken a precaution against the last eventuality by holding on to each other's girdle, and, even if one were to trip, the other would either do the same, break the fall, or be ready to assist and comfort...The "fast" young woman, who looks back on her partner as if rallying him for his slowness, reminds us that in the skating-matches the fair Atalantas frequently beat the men'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.