Charles Dickens uses the phrase "knew rather less about skates than a Hindoo" to emphasize Mr. Snodgrass's complete lack of knowledge about skating. By comparing him to a Hindoo, who would likely have no familiarity with ice skating due to the warmer climate in India, Dickens highlights Snodgrass's incompetence in this particular activity. This phrase also serves to underscore Snodgrass's comical ineptitude and adds humor to the character's portrayal in the novel.
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its to emphasise that he cant do it
Hindoo means Hindu
and they started skating centuries ago.
In my opinion of think Dickens is trying to say that he has to learn before trying to teach someone else how to skate, because they could end up injured.