424 
FOREST AND STREAM- 
miffed because the challenge of the R. A. A. 0. to row at 
Saratoga was declined—perhaps they eonld not got a crew 
to come (which, with proper efforts, is not likely), or per 
haps they were afraid. The latter is scarcely a fair impu¬ 
tation after rowing so good a second in the Inter Collegiate 
Race. Cornell will not come because of Capt. Ostrom, or 
at least it so looked until Saturday. There have been 
many college men here the past week, and all express 
themselves-hat their feeling will be one of great nioniti- 
cation ff the college who won all three prizes this year, 
ami two out of three last year, do not enter. One would 
think that the Alnmni of the College had removed the 
great objection, but Captain Ostrom urges “that they have 
spent all the time consistent with a college course," and 
that “they cannot get a boat to suit," and that “a crew 
cannot be got in shape in time," and further that he aoes 
not think the Ameiican colleges are under any obligations 
to row the Englishmen who refused the challenge of the 
Association to row at Saratoga.” Ilia first reason would 
lead one to suppose that he hud carefully read Dr. MeCosh’s 
excellent, letter on College Rowing. '1 he Captain knows 
even better probably tlmu the Doctor the influences of the 
surroundings at Saratoga—the causes that led to bringing 
the college crews there and that have reduced the entries 
there from thirteen last year to six this, with the likeli¬ 
hood of none at all next. Even so far off as Cambridge, 
Oxford or Dublin, one can see that Saratoga must have 
her hotels filled, and that the regattas are brought there to 
fill them. Besides, a challenge is a far different, matter 
from the courteous invitation extended under the sanction 
and approval ot the U. S. Oeutennial Commisson to take 
part in what is really a portion of the great exposition. 
The Captain's other reasons are of no moment, for a cedar 
boat cau be t ad in ten days, and unless I have greatly mis¬ 
understood Mr. Waters himself, a paper boat cau be ready 
in even less time. As to getting four men into shape fr m 
such an excellent six in me time between now and even 
tne first of September, the excuse is trivial. Yale and 
Columbia have come up nobly, and will boih be here to 
battle each for its alma mater. Princeton’s entry is shaky. 
Discouraged by their success, or rather the lack of it, they 
fad to respond to Captain Nicoll’s call. However, Nicoll 
will take a hand himself with his club, the Undine of Bal¬ 
timore, in the Amateur Races. 
Where the crews for the graduate is to come from I can’t 
tell, Dublin being at present writing the only entry. In 
this'country a graduate either joins au amaieur club and 
tows with it or gives up the sport entirely. Yale is anxious 
to have a three mile race, and it is mote than likely that at 
once the Dublin arrive such a contest can be arranged. 
The Professional Ibices, especially for singles, will be very 
full The foui-B so far are from Halifax, the Paris crew 
from St.John, the New York (Biglin), and the Tames 
crew The latter, Spencer Thomas, Higgins, and Green, 
seem to be willing to lake all ibe purses, for besides their 
four Green and Thomas, and Higgins and Spencer will 
tow pairs, and all four will scull. Higgins’ chances, from 
the record, aTe not bad, unless Trickell of Australia turns 
up in which case there is no telling. 
*Tne Faulkner-Regan crew have disbanded, as the Pitts¬ 
burgh crew has also done. Faulkner and Regan will go in 
—pair oar. They will have, besides the Thames men, the 
Biglins the Ward brothers, and probably Coulter and a 
pai tner’for opponents. As the Biglins rowed down Coulter 
aud Garritt, the latter may be counted out unless they are 
in better form. 
The detailed entries cannot he got at until the committee 
make their announcement. This is the day for closiog, 
but they will not refuse any that were mailed in good fanh 
this date, as for instance, one will start on the mail to-night 
from New Orleans and be two or three days in the mail. 
When I said last week that no Schuylkill Navy Club 
would enter I thought I spoke by the card, if so, there was 
a misdeal, for now in the lists are the Quaker City, Penn¬ 
sylvania, and Crescent, the former with a four, a double 
and four singles, the two latter each a single and a pros¬ 
pect of more from the Undiue aud Waller. 
These entries are probably uot. due to what Eoiulbt 
Asd Stream said last week, so much as to a desire to 
uphold the credit of Philadelphia. As-the bulk of these 
crews openly announce that they will not train, but go in 
scratch, it is barely possible that tne giving of bronze 
medals to all starters may have been a w ise provision, if 
the committee’s object in offering them was to swell (lie 
numbers As the Undine holds the four oar champion 
flag they should not refuse to put in an appearance, but 
they will in that race. , ,, „ 
On Saturday last an Undine's four, L Hirondelle, 
met with an accident and a double scull boat. 'Ibe shell 
is minus a nose, and the double plus a hole. The ground 
for the temporary boat house has been cleared, and the 
house will be up'in a few days. The grand stand at the 
finish is almost completed, but unless another is put up on 
the other side of the river 1 think that many will want 
places that they won’t get. . 
The National Association's Regatta will begin on August 
23d continue two, perhaps three days. As their entries 
do not close until the 8tli there is no knowing yet who 
will row. As many crews will want to try what, they can 
do before the great event, the lists will no doubt be well 
r ue clubs now holding the prizes will not he likely to 
let them go by default. 
The vexed question, “Who is an amateur? does not 
yet seem to be settled, and the feeling is that the Execu¬ 
tive Committee must meet it now. The definition lias 
long been laid down and amended and tinkered until one 
■would tliiuk it met every case. It does, but there are 
cases that, by some length do not meet it. It is violated 
every day in spirit if not in letter. That the evil exists 
we all kuow, that it is a crying one no one doubts, that the 
offenders can be met vpffli positive evidence is doubtful, 
but that it must soon be eradicated is certain, or the 
Amateur Association will cease to exist. The action of the 
[Executive Committee will be looked for anxiously, and 
the Ceuteuuial Committee cau certainly not ignore Unit 
action. A man or crew barred the National Association 
Races will have small chance of even "a bronze medal” in 
the International. . , 
The Single Scull Prize for the International Regat¬ 
ta, a diamond badge, the handsomest ever offered 
in'the country is completed and lor sometime has been 
on exhibition at. the Centennial, 
The double-scull ami pair-on red prizes are being made 
by Tiffany, of New York. The design for the iour-oared 
prize will be iu Bailey & Co.’s hands to monw. 
The die for the medals is being made by Bobbins, Clark 
& Biddle, and is almost done, 
The medals will be uniform in size and design. Gold 
for the winners, silver for the second, and bronze for all 
the balance of starters. The running expenses of the re- 
tlie regatta, guaranteed by llie clubs of the Navy, 
are well in hand. The money for the proper entertainment 
of the foreign crews for the professional purses and lor a 
host of other atleiidenl: expenses is not yet raised, but ameet- 
ing of citizens at the Mayors office on Thursday last gave 
assurrance that this partof llreflntirces will be forthcoming. 
It is not long since it was announced that New York would 
raise $5,000 for the promotion of lire regalia, but that ap¬ 
pears to be alt there is about it. Sculls. 
—The tenth annual regat'a of the National Association 
of Amateur Oarsmen will he held on the national course, 
Philadelphia, ou Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Au¬ 
gust 23d, 23d, and 24th. The races will be for single 
sculls, pair-oared shells, double scull shells, and four oared 
shells, aud the prizes are the elegant aud costly challenge 
cups aud plate of llie association. An individual prize 
will also be presented to the winning oarsmen of each 
race, and iu addition the association will preseut a hand¬ 
some silk flag to the clubs of the winners. Entries will 
close August 8th, and must, be made to Henry W. Garfield, 
Secretary, Albany, N. Y. 
The Bennett Challenge Cup. —On Thursday last 
shortly after 4 P. M. llie schooner yachts Idler. America, 
Wanderer, lidal Wave and Countess of Dufferln were 
started from Sandy Hook lightship for a race to and around 
Brenlon’s Reef lightship and return. The prize was the 
elegant cup presented by Commodore Bennett, and an en¬ 
trance fee ot $500. There was no time allowance beyond 
the difference ui time of passing the starting point," and 
this amounted to but a little over two minutes between the 
idler, the first to crosB, aud the Countess, the last. The 
idler well sustained the reputation she has gained this sea 
son as one of the fastest yachts afloat, and the Tidal Wave 
met with her usual number ot mishaps. The America 
was also nnforluuate, parting her bobstay on the return 
trip, and being thrown uut of (lie race afler showing rare 
wealhorly qualities. The Counless of Dufieriu did not 
show the speed anticipated of her, although something 
must be allowed for her sails, they hardly being suited for 
a race. The Idler, Tidal Wave and Wanderer rounded 
Bremen's Reef lightship almost together. Countess being 
next, some forty minutes behind, and the America last. 
Afler leaviug Brenlon's Reef the wind was ahead, aud the 
Idler and America gained in going to windward. The 
Tidal Wave and Wanderer went inside of Block Island, 
while the oilier yachts took Ihe inside passage. At 11 
o’elock on Friday night the Idler was a mile and a half 
from Bandy Hook lightship, when the wind died out and 
she was becalmed for sometime, reaching llie club house 
anchorage at five o’elock on Saturday morning. The other 
yachts were a Iso becalmed, and afterward caught in the 
rain squalls of Friday night. The following table shows 
the time of arrival:— 
Brenlon's Sandy Hook 
Start. Beef. Light. 
Idler. 4::3;30 6:37:16 13:30:46 
America. 4:13:63 7:19:36 4:00:01) 
Wanderer. 4:13:39 6:48:46 2:43:30 
Tidal Wave. 4:13:59 45:37:35 3:40:00 
Countess of Dufferln. 4:14:56 7:17:06 3:30:00 
The Idler now Holds the cup until challenged for it. 
The result of the race, as far as the Canadian yacht is con¬ 
cerned, indicates that, taking her present “form” for a 
guide, she has no cliauce of winning the “America” 
cup in the races with the Madeleine. 
Columbia Yacht Club.— This club formally opened 
their new club house at the foot of Eighty-sixth street, 
North River, on Thursday, the great event of the dny 
being the race for the ladies’ peuuant, for which the fol¬ 
lowing yachts entered: — 
Yacht. Owner. 
Emma T.-J. S. Hacker. 
Lily—J A. & K. H. Weaver. 
Journeyman—R. McWliinuoy. 
All Revoir- O. Hecp & A. Murphy. - 
Yacht. Owner. 
Gem—John Frick & Co. 
Annie L.-G E. Gammon. 
Henry H. Holmes—Hudson K.C. 
The course was a triangular one, being five miles in 
length. The Emma T. won the pennant, sailing the 
course in 29m. 45s., the Journeyman second. 
Rockaway Yacht Club.— This is the fifth annual re- 
catta week of the Rockaway Yacht Club. Yesterday the 
regular club regatta was sailed, but we go to press before 
a report can reach us. This evening there is a moon¬ 
light excursion and reception, and on Saturday a clam bake 
and ladies’ picnic at Trenchard Inlet. The Regatta Com¬ 
mittee are Daniel Lord, Jt., Commodore, Chas. A. Chce- 
ver and Win. Luntmia. 
Beverly Yacht Club —The second regular regatta of 
this club was sailed ou Friday last off Nahant under very 
favorable circumstances. The following table gives a sum¬ 
mary of the event:— 
FIRST CLASS. 
Name. 
Waif.... 
Function 
Actual Correct’d 
Length. time. lime. 
Owner. fl.ln. b. ui. s. li. m. s. 
...E. W. Codrnan.38 9.. .3 04 03.. .2 02 « 
_A. Burton.35 6. ..3 11 58. ..3 07 31 
BBOONI) CLASS. 
P, Grant, Jr. IB 0.. .1 43 49. I 
.H. C. Leeds.19 4...1 45 35...1 
..1. O. bliarp, Jr...18 u... I 64 48.. .1 
. George Le*-. 18 6.. .NoL taken. 
84 46 
44 45 
TUIBD CLASS. 
Virginia. 
Tulip- 
Avis. ■ ■. 
.C. H. Piyiuptuu.16 4. .1 49 49...1 
W Burg Ss.HI 4...1 56 41... 1 
W. C Haskell...- _16 8...Noi taken. 
37 33 
44 26 
As will he seen by the above summary, prizes were won 
in the first class by the Waif, in Ihe second class by the 
Water Lily and Ibis, aud in tUe third class by the Virginia 
aD A Long Cruise.— The Utica Herald says: John E. Starr, 
E. Urandigee, of Utica, aud David Lewis, of Maulius, 
start to day, with a row boat, on an extended trip. They 
proceed on the Erie canal as far as Higginville, from there 
to Oneida Luke, Oneida and Genessee River to Oswego, 
across Lulu: Ontario lo Cape Vincent, up the St Lawrence 
River to the Richelieu, lo Lake Champlain, to Lak^George, 
to the Hudson, to Cohoes and from there home, They 
expect to be gone about six weeks. The distance is about 
eight hundred miles. The boat is fourteen feet long. They 
will camp out for a while in the Adirondaeks. 
—The Madeleine is at Greenville, Conn., being thor¬ 
oughly overhauled for the races with the Countess of Duf- 
feriu, now set for the 10th, 12th and 13th iiu-t. ner sails 
have been unbent, and are in the hands of the sailnjak.er, 
and everything will be done to insure success. 
PORTABLE BOATS. 
Cleveland, Ohio, July 19th, 
Editor Forest aud Stream:— 
Tour correspondent Win. H. Rollins is mistaken as to the invention 
of portable canvas boats or canoos. 1 sa*v one in Cincinnati in 1846- A 
lieutenant took ft to the Rio Grande durlug the Mexican war, and was 
drowned by its getting a hole punched through the botlom andopaeltlng. 
I built one In 1S56 14 feet long by 30 inches wide. It was made of ti 
jointed hickory frame and heavy canvass. I took it to the marshes at 
the bead of Lake Erie, and in four days of rather hard usage wore the 
sidea completely through so that they had to be patched. On the fifth 
day, when pursuing a wounded dock, ran on 11 snag that tore a bole in 
the bottom nearly four feet long. Fortunately I liad a light setting-pole 
in my hand that kept me from sinking. But I lost powder-flask, shot 
pouch, and about ten pounds of shot bea.dtiB- 
The sense or insecurity felt when going through dangurons places Is 
is enough to banish all pleasure for the time. No aaumnt or assertion 
will convince a thinking man that these bouts are snug proof. 
Mr. A. S. Winchester, of South Windham, Conn., with a friend, 
were in one of “Blank’s 11 portable canvas bouts advertised as perfectly 
safe and very dnrable, when it ran on a small twig, tearing a hole in the 
bottom that they eonld stick their hands through. They hud to jamp 
to save themselves. I eonld mention other instances .-howina that the 
experiences of Colvin, Rob’nns ana o J»erB do not prove a oanvaB boat to 
be a safe one in rough places, or that its advantage in portability over 
the ordinary wooden boat is equal to Us disadvantages in other rot’.pects. 
W. E. Bond. 
Mr. Bond’s experience has been unfortunate and not at 
all in accordance with that of many others who have used 
canvas boats for years with perfect safety and satisfaction. 
We believe that canvas can be made so tough that, until 
rotted by mildew, which would not occur if it was properly 
waterproofed and cared for, it would be serviceable and 
strong. The following letter is from a gentleman who has 
tried them with success:— 
MARTLAND CUJD, l 
Baltimore, July l“th. \ 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
Could you communicate with Mr. Wm. IL Rollins of Boston, who 
wrote to you on the ‘20th of Juuelast Iu reference to canvas canoos? I 
should like very mach to have oue built according lo his de^criptfon of 
the canoe constructed by Mr. John H. Treat, and Mr. Rollins snys in 
lita letter that he will give all the information necessary to build one, aB 
they are not in the market. 
I have had a great deal of experience with canoes, both In this coun¬ 
try and in England, and agree with Mr. Roilins that, for strength and 
rough usage, there is nothing like a canvas canoe. 1 built one on t he 
Mediterranean, at Cannes, 10 feet long, 30 inches beam, and 10 inches 
deep. First 1 made a light framework of wood with an oak keel and 
sawed timber; then had longitudinal strips £** inches apart oflivht 
wood. Over this Tramo I stretched tightly a covering of hemp canvas as 
1 could not get cotton then; bronght it over the gunwales meeting in the 
middle, thus forming the deck of the canoe. After this 1 gave 
the canvas a coat or oil and two coats of paint, (hen put an oak keel 
outside of the canoe to protect it in going ashore; there was a well 0 
feet long andan aprou to keep oat the water when rough. I used a 
small Ing sail and double paddle. In this boat I Coasted from Cannes 
to Genoa ana back, and landed in some very heavy surf several times. 
She weighed only 60pounds and was very strong. Since then 1 have 
bad several other canoes, bin none of them have proved as satisfactory 
for real work. 
I have now a small iron schooner only 20 feet long, 01 feet beam which 
draws 3 feet 4 Inches. She was built entirely according to my own ile • 
sign, and Is three years old, has proved herself a perfect sea boat, also 
very com for tuble on a long cruise, having a nice little cabin, and is In 
my opinion much better than the yawl “Rob Roy” of McGregor. If 
you think it will bo of any interest to your readers I shall bo happy to 
fntnishyon with drawings and a full description, together with some ac¬ 
count of the cruises I huve made. W. O’Sullivan Dimpfrl. 
[We shall be indebted to our correspondent for bis plans 
and report Ed. ] _ 
^ew ^jubliattipiis. 
MAGAZINES. 
Tlie flavor of idleness rests upon all the magazines this 
lonib, an idleness Horn of the snramer season when the lassitude I 
nited by a heated term calls for leading of the lightest and most cheer I 
it description. Scribner's for Angnst is labelled “A Mfrisnmraer Hoii- . 
ly Number, ’’and its contents are adapted for the season. The Illustrated I 
tides are unusually numerous and interesting, notably Mr. Wheeler's. 
;;)q t ) le lion Trail,” a pleaeant description of a trip through Kansas l 
id Colorado. Mr. Bret Harte'a story -‘Gabriel Conroy’’ is concluded tn 
,ie nombcr.and Mr. Jack Hamlin is killed in the most pathetic man- 
sr. Perhaps it la owing to the lapse of Lime since wo read the first 
ms, bai we must confess that tbu denouement is sornew hat inexplicable, 
r. Bryant and Richstd Henry Stoddard hoth contribute poetry, and 
ie short articles and editurial matter are folly up to the Scritmer I 
andard. 
St. Nicholas, the other of Messrs. Scribner’s publications, j 
also emitted “A Midsummer Holiday number,” and is full of charming 1 
iteitainmeut for the little folks. The old story of the “House tuat I 
iek Built” is told in a novel and interesting manuer, and Miss Lucy | 
urcom contributes au article. “Midsummer Poets,” which will be found 
orttiy of reading by older heads than those for whom St. Nicholas is I 
ainly intended. Mr. Noah Brooks’ story, "The Boy Emigrant,” is 
manned, and the lads whom we have followed on ihcir weary path , 
iross the continent are at last at work with pick and shovel. To on I 
uncrati- all of the articles In St. Nicholas would take up too much of I 
it space; all the contributions are good, Ihe Illustrations particularly 1 
I, and wl-e little Jack in ibe Pulpit marshalls in the rear guard with 
s usual bits of wisdom and Information. 
The Bulletin of the Nut tall Ornithological Olub in its see- I 
id number, which has just appeared, has taken a new departure and J 
uiounces itself as a regular quarterly omltboloaiciil Journal, with do- 1 
irtments of Recent LIteratnre upd Geueral Notes. Tne editorial I 
mtrol is now in the bauds or Mr. J . A. Allen who bus eminent help 1 
■omtsed. The typography is excellent and the table of contents— I 
though not so entertaining as in the first number-exhibiis the inien- I 
an nf Ihe club to make its JiuUetiii a first-clin-s publication. It is to ■ 
: hoped that before long the support will wdrraiit a more frequent I 
sue. A brief sketch of the rise and progress of the club, all the facts I 
• which we gave in ohr issue of May 35th, opens the number. Mr. I 
idgway admits the European Suteo vulgaris to our fauns and describes I 
j different plumages. E. W. Nel-on gives a list ot additions to lli« I 
d.rauna of Illinois, and many notes upon other Species. Capt Obas. I 
enaire furnishes an account of the breeding habtta. nests end eggs of I 
larke’s crow, which were almost unknown. A new duck resembling I 
ie gadwall is described by Dr. Tbos. H. Sireets, U. S. N.. under Dm I 
lime or Chautelasmus Coueti. In the “Notos" the breeding of the 
anada goose in trees is confirmed; the generic position of tho various 
juthweetem wrens is discussed; the shooting Of the curlew sandpiper 
i East Bosien (Its second occurrence in New England) is noted, the 
nding of Anver HoeUi in Oregon and ot Parus h’Mmapus m Cun. 
ectient are mentioned) and the capture or two specimons r.f the rare 
iiswich sparrow (.Pusserculus princeps), one in New Brunswick and tire 
