Scene in the London parks.
--The Serpentine presented an extra ordinary scene on Tuesday night, and it is estimated that there were upwards of 200,000 persons in
Hyde Park.
It was anticipated that a large number of the Volunteer Rifles would have visited the
Serpentine, but it is understood that some communication was made to the headquarters of the several corps by the authorities, requesting that such a demonstration should not take place, and, in consequence, the numbers were greatly limited.
The drive along the
Serpentine was, for two hours, completely blocked with carriages of the nobility and gentry, and along the banks masses of persons were congregated.
From the bridge down to the extreme end of the river was one continuous blaze, there being upwards of 50,000 skaters and sliders, nearly all of whom carried lighted torches and performed their evolutions by their light.
The centre, as well as near the banks of the river, was lined by several hundred tents, consisting of skating booths, refreshment pavilions, &c. Several displays of fire-works took place upon the ice, and
blue,
green, and
red fires were ignited, which produced an extraordinary effect.
Shortly after nine o'clock a large number of tents were lighted up with variegated oil lamps and festoons of
Chinese lanterns, and further displays of fire-works took place.
The festivities were carried on with the utmost vigor for several hours, but at ten o'clock a large number of persons retired.
Several thousands, however, remained upon the ice until a much later period.
A young man and young woman fell through the ice, and when rescued were in a state of great exhaustion.
The other parks were very much crowded, and there were a few accidents, but nothing of a serious nature occurred.
