KINDNESS OF SIR SAMUEL CUNARD. 5 



States, my sporting adventures, and my remarks on the 

 political and social state of America, its society and 

 manners. All matters in short that time, and, I hope, 

 acute observation, brought within the notice of a sports 

 man in his search for knowledge. 



When my mission to America was proposed to me I 

 had plenty to amuse myself with in England ; but there 

 was a fact which occurred to my mind that met with no 

 denial, and that was, that I should never be more fit to 

 undertake such adventures than I was at the present 

 moment. The only thing that caused me some uneasi 

 ness in regard to companionship was as to my favourite 

 dogs ; for, ignorant as everybody in England seemed to 

 be as to the sort of dogs that would be useful, and un 

 certain as I was as to the convenience that would be 

 afforded to them in travel, at sea and through the United 

 States, I hesitated to put them in a position in which 

 their safety would not be within my control. 



Many friends however advised me to take them, and 

 at last, through the kind and liberal attention of Sir 

 Samuel Cunard, all difficulty in their transit by sea to 

 New York was overcome, for kennels were fitted up for 

 them on the deck of the " Africa," and they were permitted 

 to accompany me free of all charge a liberality and atten 

 tion in no way imitated, or apparently thought of, by 

 the railway or steam companies on the other side the At 

 lantic. I confess myself to have been surprised at this, 

 for my brother sportsmen in America had been apprised 

 of my coming visit ; and as an Englishman was about to 

 throw himself, in that sort of off-hand manner generally 

 so pleasing to men who make the plains and forests the 

 scenes of hearty companionship, on their generosity, I 

 naturally expected that they would give me some sort of 



