Round a cluster
of arc-lights in the roof there was a sort of revolving cage of
different coloured panes of glass; these threw variegated beams of
light over the brilliant kaleidoscopic crowd below. Previous
Governors-General had, in opening the fete shuffled shamefacedly
down the centre of the rink in overshoes and fur coats to the
dais, but Lord and Lady Lansdowne, being both expert skaters,
determined to do the thing in proper Carnival style, and arrived
in fancy dress, he in black as a Duke of Brunswick, she as Mary
Queen of Scots, attended by her two boys, then twelve and fourteen
years old, as pages, resplendent in crimson tights and crimson
velvet. The band struck up "God Save the Queen," and down the
cleared space in the centre skimmed, hand-in-hand, the Duke of
Brunswick and Mary Queen of Scots, with the two pages carrying her
train, all four executing a "Dutch roll" in the most workman-like
manner. It was really a very effective entrance, and was immensely
appreciated by the crowd of skaters present. I represented a
Shakespearean character, and had occasion to note what very
inadequate protection is afforded by blue silk tights, with
nothing under them, against the cold of a Canadian February.
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