I feel convinced no one can be called a skater until he can do the school figures. Every day I practise the simplest of the school figures—outside circles, forward and backward; threes, changes of edge, loops, and the rest of them. I do this because I am sure they are the best practice for keeping the skater in right form and correct balance. You may not see many of them on the ice of the Hippodrome pool, so you must take my word for their importance to me. When one has but a few moments in which to crowd a skating performance, which shall be just as thrilling as you know how to make it, little time can be spent on the A, B, C’s of skating.

The lesson to-day is again on the change of edge. There are really four of these to learn on each foot. Beginning on the outside edge forward and changing to the inside forward we had last time. This time we begin on the inside edge forward and change to the outside edge forward.

The difference between the execution of to-day’s lesson and the last one is that the figure to-day is easier to start and harder to finish, while the last one taught, from outside to inside edge, is harder to start and easier to finish. That is, it is harder to round out the circle after the change of edge from inside to outside has been made than it is to round out the circle after the change from outside to inside has been made. I have explained the reason for this in speaking of the inside edges in several former lessons.

This time I have had the drawing illustrate me on the left foot. The start may be on either foot first. I advocate starting on the foot with which one can skate best, for the sake of encouragement and the acquisition of right carriage more quickly. Then practise oftener on the foot which is less perfect, so as to bring both up to the same standard of efficiency.

As the change of edge occurs, the balance leg is brought back, past the skating leg and outside the print, the shoulders are slightly turned toward the left, facing more the centre of the circle, and the general position described for the inside edge circle forward assumed. When the inside circle has been about half completed, the balance foot is brought slowly forward and carried there to the end of the figure.

The chief difficulty in learning this figure is found in making the sway of the balance foot and leg forward and backward again deliberate. To use the swing of the balance foot for the purpose of jumping the body into any position is a glaring error. The body should roll over the change of edge and the sway of the foot past the other be almost unnoticed.

Start, this time on the left foot, let us say, by thrusting out from the flat of the right skate, assuming the position described for the correct inside circle, with the right foot behind, slightly across the print, both shoulders in line with the print and the arms raised. Just before making the change of edge the balance foot is brought past the skating foot, close to it and extended well in front and somewhat high. As the change of edge is made, the centre of gravity should be brought directly over the print and at the same time the balance foot, which has been in front, should be brought back and carried well behind and well across the print. This is the right position for the forward outside circle, as will be seen by reference to former lesson and diagram on that figure.

Immediately after the change of edge has occurred the body should be straightened up, the shoulders kept flat and the head erect and facing the centre of the circle which is being executed. A little before the centre of the circle is reached the balance foot, which has been carried behind, should be slowly moved in front of the skating foot. Great care must be exercised to keep the shoulders in right position before, after and especially during the changes of edge, for on the right carriage of the shoulders and the balance leg the rounding out of the figure depends.

The changes of edge are performed in three lobed eights. One half of the centre circle is performed on one leg, then the change of edge occurs and then a full circle on the second edge. The main difficulty will be found with the full circle after the change of edge. Follow the same directions for the right foot inside to outside change of edge.