3-011-344 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Skating at Florence, 1864. Engraving from a sketch by L. Caldesi. 'In Florence this year our English residents and visitors have been able to enjoy skating with as much zest as has been done on the ornamental waters in our metropolitan parks. From the 5th to the 20th January the thermometer was at 8 deg. (centigrade), and the Arno was almost completely frozen over. Such a cold season has not been known or felt by the Florentines for ten years; and it has been still more trying on account of a sharp easterly wind blowing for many days. As the Engraving shows, the place where the skating went on was outside Porta St. Gallo, near to the fortress; and one of the most energetic as well as the best of the skaters in Florence, Mr. Spence, took great trouble to encourage the sport. He established a band near the banks of the pond, and quadrilles were danced with much animation and grace. On the night of the 20th a torchlight fete was given by that gentleman, and many ladies distinguished themselves by the elegance of their movements'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864