The new skating rink was formally opened Saturday evening last, under the most favorable auspices. The evening was clear and cool, and the City had received those accessions of population incident to the closing day of the week, and the ample space about the skating enclosure was accordingly crowded to overflowing with the recipients of the seven hundred invitations issued.

 

The ceremonies opened with a tour of inspection around the building by a party of prominent gentlemen - Messrs. Frank E. Winslow, Dr. Rust, A. G. Lalime, Joel H. Hills, H. M. Brownell, J. C. Cary, Samuel Winslow, H. A. Tucker, William Bradley and Dr. Mott - who, after completing the circuit of the rink, halted in the centre and were addressed by Mr. Winslow, one of the proprietors, who took this occasion to return thanks for the encouragement shown them, and closed by presenting the rink to the patrons of Cottage City. He was followed by Joel H. Hills, Esq., who apologized for the absence of Hon. E. P. Carpenter, and welcomed the enterprise in behalf of the Oak Bluffs Company, concluding his remarks with the assurance, “officially,” that the support of the public would not be found wanting. Mr. Hills then introduced Dr. Rust, of Boston, who delivered a congratulatory address in behalf of the residents, in which he took occasion to allude to the beauty and artistic arrangement of the interior decorations, inferring therefrom that the proprietors had a just appreciation of the character and culture of the people of this summer city.

 

At the conclusion of the speech-making, Mr. W. H. Purdy, one of the instructors connected with the establishment, opened the ball by an exhibition of parlor-skating, his graceful evolutions eliciting frequent and prolonged applause. After a little time, the privilege being extended to all who chose to avail themselves