Royal Sledges at WindsorRoyal Sledges at WindsorSledging.Sledging is a very pretty pastime in cold weather, and in Poland, Russia, Holland, and other northern countries, it is the regular mode of travelling during the long frosts that annually prevail in those regions. A couple of rein-deer yoked to a sledge can travel more than a hundred miles in a day, with a load of half-a-ton.In fine weather, on a good snowy road, there is something delightfully exhilirating in sledge travelling, snugly enveloped in furs, whilst“The vault is blue,Without a cloud, and white without a speck.”The traveller glides swiftly over the level snow, enlivened by the tinkling of a sonorous bell attached to an arch that rises off the head of the centre horse; for sometimes three horses abreast are used in sledges, and cheered or soothed, as his mood may be, by the wild yet plaintive song of the driver.The traveller is laid in the sledge like a child in his cradle. He holds the rein or puller, which is fastened to the deer’s or horse’s head, on his right thumb. When the driver is ready to start, he shakes the rein, and the animal springsforward with great speed. He directs his course by the rein and by the voice; he sings to him as he goes along; speaks kindly to him—and cheers him on his way. He never strikes or hurts him, for he loves the animal too much to be cruel to him.The Laplanders, Russians, Poles, and other nations are thus enabled to travel in winter, by night and by day, when the whole country far and wide is entirely covered by snow, and scarcely a hut or tree is to be seen, and they travel from one part of the country to another with great speed. In the Royal Palace of Sweden is a portrait of a rein-deer which is described as having travelled with despatches eight hundred miles in forty-eight hours.It was a very pretty thing to see our beloved Queen and family “sledging,” because it shows that the Queen has courage, and a love of amusement; and should this winter be a cold one, Peter Parley hopes to see Her Majesty again in her sledge.
Royal Sledges at WindsorRoyal Sledges at Windsor
Royal Sledges at Windsor
Sledging is a very pretty pastime in cold weather, and in Poland, Russia, Holland, and other northern countries, it is the regular mode of travelling during the long frosts that annually prevail in those regions. A couple of rein-deer yoked to a sledge can travel more than a hundred miles in a day, with a load of half-a-ton.
In fine weather, on a good snowy road, there is something delightfully exhilirating in sledge travelling, snugly enveloped in furs, whilst
“The vault is blue,Without a cloud, and white without a speck.”
“The vault is blue,Without a cloud, and white without a speck.”
“The vault is blue,Without a cloud, and white without a speck.”
“The vault is blue,
Without a cloud, and white without a speck.”
The traveller glides swiftly over the level snow, enlivened by the tinkling of a sonorous bell attached to an arch that rises off the head of the centre horse; for sometimes three horses abreast are used in sledges, and cheered or soothed, as his mood may be, by the wild yet plaintive song of the driver.
The traveller is laid in the sledge like a child in his cradle. He holds the rein or puller, which is fastened to the deer’s or horse’s head, on his right thumb. When the driver is ready to start, he shakes the rein, and the animal springsforward with great speed. He directs his course by the rein and by the voice; he sings to him as he goes along; speaks kindly to him—and cheers him on his way. He never strikes or hurts him, for he loves the animal too much to be cruel to him.
The Laplanders, Russians, Poles, and other nations are thus enabled to travel in winter, by night and by day, when the whole country far and wide is entirely covered by snow, and scarcely a hut or tree is to be seen, and they travel from one part of the country to another with great speed. In the Royal Palace of Sweden is a portrait of a rein-deer which is described as having travelled with despatches eight hundred miles in forty-eight hours.
It was a very pretty thing to see our beloved Queen and family “sledging,” because it shows that the Queen has courage, and a love of amusement; and should this winter be a cold one, Peter Parley hopes to see Her Majesty again in her sledge.