103 



The old officers were re-chosen at the October election 

 18£5, and seven members elect, were respectively qualified 

 according to ancient usage. His Excellency the Governor, 

 presided over the interesting ceremonials. 



On the 14th of September 1826, a visiter obligingly 

 volunteered his services as a water-fowling sportsman, and 

 brought in about fifty rail birds the sorees of the South 

 in excellent condition, which he killed on League Island 

 marsh, near the confluence of the Schuylkill and Delaware 

 rivers. It reminded one of the primitive days of the Com- 

 pany, the revival of a sister sport, obsolete since the War 

 of the Revolution, when the extensive surrounding woods 

 were destroyed by the foe, and their furred and feathered 

 tenants more remotely dispersed. 



A dntm fish highly recommended as a good substitute 

 for a rock fish, was this day experimented on, and aban- 

 doned after being richly dressed in the lobster stile, as un 

 savory to epicurean taste, and somewhat difficult of mas- 

 tication, being literally speaking, as tough as a drum head. 

 It would have been equally palatable perhaps to those ap- 

 preciating the delicacy, if dressed in the savage custom, 

 with train oil. Its formidable skeleton, (certainly the 

 best part of it,) is preserved, as a memento to future 

 Caterers, and as a natural curiosity, amongst the relics of 

 the ocean, and of foreign climes, which decorate the 

 Castle. 



In October 1826, a re-election took place of all the offi 

 cers, several new members were chosen, and others pro 



