Not a brighter sight in the world of its kind than the pond on Central Park when the ice is thoroughly fit, and the ominous word “Danger” relegated to the surrounding groves. Every inch of space is thronged with a mad, merry, healthy, good-natured crowd, while the ring of joyous laughter with the circular-saw-like buzz of talk and the despairing shrieks of toppling-over skaters, is set in the sound of the swift-glided skate as it cuts its rapid way along the slippery and unyielding ice. Swells in the most "correct" attire spin along beside the “boys” from the Bowery, while Murray Hill belies, in furs worth a king’s ransom, glide swanlike to be jostled by red cheeked girls, who have taken half a day off from an adjacent factory. All Is good humor, all is fun, all is health; and those alone appear gloomy who come to look on.

Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, March 3, 1883.