FOREST AND STREAM. 



131 



some three-score aristocratic legs were stretched under his 

 mahogany, 



I have before me a long letter written from Cedar Grove 

 at that time to a gentlemen in Richmond giving him a full 

 account in glowing colors of the gay doings there. -The 

 writer was one whose name is known far and wide. The 

 letter is old, and yellow with age, but the handwriting is 

 very legible, being large, clear and plain . I am kindly 

 permitted to copy it, only suppressing the name of the 

 writer. I copy verbatim only supp;essing the portions not 

 patent to the subject:— 



"I wish, my dear Ran, that I could give you a faithful 

 picture of the events going on here, and could tell you of 

 the line times, jovial meeting and good fellowship that has 

 gone hand in hand, but as you know my powers as a scribe 

 are limited, and never being a victim of the cmfhes scribendi 

 1 fear that it will be a futile effort; but as I promised so 

 will I do. 



"The 'meet' was opened by a large ball, which, of 

 course, you have heard of. I must confess my lack of 

 power to describe it. Miss Lou looked as queenly as the 



Pompadour, headdress and all. Your fiance 



* * * * * * * 



"Pitt Chichester was in his glory, and astonished the 

 natives by his splendid attire. I am sorry to say he drank 

 too much Burgundy, and tried to quarrel with Judge Wil- 

 lis, but was stopped. By the wav, your friend 



* * * *"* * * 



"But I will skip at a jump to the subject which will in- 

 terest you most, know then, oh my fidus Achates, that the 

 'meet' was a glorious one, and the last day's chase the 

 finest run in the memory of man, and it went away beyond 

 that of Cash's Tavern, and left old Johnnes far in the 

 shade. 



"There were over fifty present, all of whom you know — 

 our same old crowd; our friend Pitt was the 'cock of the 

 walk' as usual, and as for our host, he looked like Paris on 

 his Helenic raid. 



"The 'meet' on the last day was very brilliant and very 

 large, the weather delicious, and the ground just perfect. 

 We were soon on the ground, and then old Nat let loose 

 the dogs, and soon the cry came, 'he's stole away!' Away 

 we went in a rattling spin, dashing straight thiough the 

 field to Col. Carter's wood, where the old red evidently had 

 its warren. The hounds, some sixty or seventy couple, tore 

 on the scent like mad, and their sweet voices echoed 

 through the bright, cloudless, crisp cold air, making the 

 heart beat high— the first fence brought some half dozen 

 down, but they had to take care of themselves. The scent 

 now lay hot in the spinney and the hounds raced breast 

 high, and kept together splendidly. We crossed the 

 second fence and lett several behind, and then in a steady 

 gallop followed close to the dogs, through the fields across 

 the run, the game old red keeping on, and showing no 

 signs of taking to the ground, but running as straight as 

 the crow flies, and we all got over the meadow at a lively 

 rate. 



"The steam was up by this time at full presssure, for it 

 was a burning scent, aud they followed hard with their 

 heads up and sterns down, running straight across hill and 

 dale, and we kept after them as best we could, but as fences, 

 ditches and ugly stone walls were thick around us, it re- 

 quired good riding and good horses to keep up. My owu 

 mare I knew would do her best, and what that best was 

 compared to the others I would soon be able to find out. 

 We had crossed fully half a dozen fences, and at each some 

 came to grief, and none but the crack riders could keep 

 the hounds in view. The devil take the hindmost was the 

 one mot d' ordre, for we were literally racing, as Monsieur 

 le Reynard now changed his tactics, and struck for cover: 

 but he couldn't shake the dogs from the trail, and old 

 Sancho kept at the head all the time, the hounds pressing 

 the fox so close that he was run out of the cover, and again 

 took to the open, and was once again in view, and the pack 

 dashed at him, running by sight, scarcely heeding the 

 trail. Only a half a dozen of the cracks were up now. 

 The Captain, our host, had taken the lead at the start and 

 still held it, though Pitt Chichester and Buck Randolph 

 were holding him close; behind was Champ Conway, who 

 was doing all he knew to catch up with McCarty. I was 

 sparing my mare for the final burst and didn't "press her. 

 Miles Selden was, I could see, doing the same thing. The 

 pace was a teirible strain to the horses, as they labored on 

 through the soft pasture ground, sinking above the fetlocks 

 at every stride. More than half the riders broke their 

 horses down here, and it was as much as the others could 

 do to pull through; at last we reached the solid ground, 

 and followed hard after them. We jumped Owl's creek' 

 but as it was quite low all got over safely except Page, who 

 was pitched into the middle, and scrambled out in a piti- 

 able condition. We had been running nearly an hour, 

 generally in a straight line and without a single check, and 

 we all knew that the end must soon come, for neither 

 horses, hounds or fox could stand the awful pace we were 

 now going, so we spurred up our horses for a final rush. 

 It soon came. Over across a field to the woods, where a 

 worm fence ran, separating the field from a forest of heavy 

 oak timber, we were right behind the dogs, and they were 

 right behind the fox. It was a glorious moment. We all 

 put our horses to the jump. Pitt Chichester was the first 

 over, -his English barb clearing it beautifully. I was right 

 behind him in a neat leap, but I lost my hat; Champ Con- 

 way was almost up to me, and beside him neck and neck 

 was Miles Selden. Captain McCarty had ridden to the 

 right and took the jump, and that threw him a little behind 

 us. The rest hadn't crossed. Pitt had to pull up to pre- 

 vent, him from running over the dogs, and I shot a little 

 ahead of him. The fox was about six feet in front of the 

 pack, and just laying his length along the ground, and 

 doing his best to get away, but it was all in vain. 

 The dogs caught him, and as they did so, Captain McCarty', 

 Pitt and myself being ahead, threw ourselves from our 

 horses right in the midst of the snarling, yelling pack, and 

 it was my good luck to pull the mangled fox from the 

 hounds and hold it up, and I must sav that it was the 

 proudest moment of my life when I gained that old red's 

 brush after such a splendid run. 



****** * 



"We wound up with a farewell dinner of sixteen courses, 

 and it went ahead of all other meals I ever sat down to. 

 The room was ablaze with the soft, bright light of the wax 

 candles, and the immense hickory fire that glittered on the 

 dazzling English flint glass, and Sevres porcelain of high 

 finish and exquisite design, the wines were delicious the 

 menu perfect, and we enjoyed it as only a tired fox hunter 

 and gourmands could. Uncle London was a sight to see 

 and as for our host, he presided in his own inimitable way, 



though report says he is married to a Xantippe, yet she 

 must be a devilish clever housekeeper. 



"When the wine came the bottle passed briskly, for all 

 those assembled there were like honest old Jack Falstaff 

 and liked good sack. Lord ! Lord ! hew the grape did flow ; 

 fine Madeira, pure Burgundy, choice port in unlimited 

 profusion, and all this put me in mind, my dear Ran, 

 that I haven't gotten over my headache yet, and so will 

 conclude my lengthy epistle. 



" With much love I remain your friend and Fidus 

 Achates, * * *" 



So ends my chronicle. Those times, so full of easy en- 

 joyment and careless, happy lives, to one class of Virginians, 

 will never come again. The roof tree has sunk and mould- 

 ers on the wall; the once fertile fields aie now pine forests, 

 and frequently nothing but a grass-grown pile marks the 

 site of where a once stately mansion stood. And looking 

 at all those old ruins and broken, shattered, toUering man- 

 sions crumbling to pieces with years, convening the awful 

 proofs of the mortality of man, and the invincible power 

 of time, one cannot help thinking of the pathetic solemnity 

 of Shakespeare's lines: — 



"The cloud capped towers and gorgeous palaces, 



The solemn temple the great globe itself, 



Yea all which it inherits shall dissolve, 



And like the unsubstantial pageant faded, 



Leave not a wreck behind." 



Alexander Hunter. 



*I am indebted greatly to Mr. Page McCarty, of Kichmond, for ma- 

 terials, anecdotes and information furnished of old manners, men and 

 customs of the ancient Dominion, and his notes have been of. material 

 assistance to me. A. H. 



For Fwest and Stream. 

 A TOURNAMENT IN THE OLD DO- 

 MINON. 



THE gay and chivalrous knight, attired in fancy cos- 

 tume and gay colors, si ill rides and dares for his 

 ladie love. September 1st was hot, and the track dusty, 

 but from far and near the old and young, with anxious 

 hearts and encouraging smiles, had come to witness the 

 popular tournament. On each side of the track, in open 

 field, the vehicles formed seats for the crowd gathered. 

 Through dust and heat all was endured until the appointed 

 time, when the knights appeared mounted on fine chargers, 

 with plumes and ribbons flying, and marched over the 

 track in twos for inspection by the audience. With fine 

 horses and fine looking knights, they made a Handsome ap- 

 pearance The following knights entered, and rode in the 

 order named r — 



Knight of Columbia— B. Rush. Cowherd. 



Knight of Glen Burnie — Pembroke Pettit. 



Knight of Lexiugtou, '76— Beverly Pettit. 



Knight of Lone Star — Win. Siegfred. 



Knight of Morning Star — Joseph Payne. 



Knight of Evening Star — Wm. Clark. 



Knight of Red, White, and Blue— Burley Seay. 



Knight of I Would if I Could Haden. 



Knight of Chappel Hill — James Payne. 



Knight of Goochland — Stuait Agee. 



Knight of Cumberland— Boyd Daniel. 



Knight of Palmyra Tutwiler. 



Marshal — Charles 8. Jones, of Louisa count}'. 



Judges— Wm. Hodgson, Thos. G. Behroudt, and Mal- 

 com Gait. 



The judges pronounced everything in readiness, when 

 three experimental rides each were allowed, after which 

 they were formed into line, and received a very appropri- 

 ate charge, delivered by the Hon. Charles S. Jones. Then 

 the regular riding contest commenced, allowing each 

 knight five rides alternately. 



The result was a tie between Knights ©f Columbia, Glen 

 Burnie, Lexington '70, and Evening Star, each taking the 

 ring four times. In the tie contest Knight of Columbia 

 was successful, therefore winning first honor; the other 

 three knights contested for remaining honors, resulting 

 as follows; — 



Knight of Glen Burnie— 1st Maid of Honor. 



Knight of Lexington '76— 2d Maid of Honor. 



Knight of Evening Star— 3d Maid of Honor. 



The contest between Glen Burnie and Lexington '76— 

 two brothers— was very exciting. The ridiug of Knight 

 of Columbia was very much complimented. The ridiug 

 over, the crowd repaired to the large shaded lawn and resi- 

 dence of the late Judge Cocke and refreshed themselves, 

 preparatory for the atiernoon and evening exercises, which 

 commenced about an hour afterwards with the coronation 

 address, delivered by the Hon. Wm. Nelson, of Cumber- 

 land county, and entertaining remarks by T. G. Behroudt, 

 of New Orleans, after which the successful knights placed 

 their honors as follows- — 



Miss Berta Layne, Queen— by Knight of Columbia. 



Miss Willis, 1st Maid— by Knight of Glen Burnie. 



Miss Sallie Kent, 2d Maid— by Knight of Lexington '76. 



Mrs. , 3d Maid— by Knight of Evening Star. 



The last maid's name 1 did not learn, but heard that she 

 was a young and fascinating widow from Philadelphia, 

 Pa. Right royal and pretty did they look, crowned with 

 their beautiful and sparkling crowns as they passed into 

 the large ball room and took their places for the royal set. 

 "On with the music; forward four!" and all went merry 

 until the wee small hours. 



Among the beauties I noticed Misses Fanny A. and Em- 

 ma G., of Richmond, Va., and Misses Emma B. and Lulu 

 P., of Fluvanna. 



The writer returns thanks to Mr. Stuart Agee and C. 

 Lot Thomas for favors and kindness received. Leon. 



How east a Deer can Ron.— Recently an engineer on a 

 Ceutral Pacific train saw a deer on the track in one of the 

 long snow sheds flying before the engine at a breakneck 

 speed, with no alternative but to keep straight on down the 

 track. The gloomy cavern formed a narrow race track 

 through which for over half a mile the engine rushed onward 

 toward its victim. For a time the result seemed almost cer- 

 tain; the pursuers gained steadily on the pursued. The deer 

 never left the track, but sped onward as straight as an ar- 

 row. The game was almost within the clutch of the iron- 

 horse, and in a few moments would have lain mangled be- 

 neath the wheels. The brakes were loosened and full steam 

 applied, when just ahead a small opening, caused by last 

 winter's heavy snow, was seen by the frightened animal. 

 Like a dart it shot through it and up the steep side of the 

 rocky mountain, while a shout of good natured disappoint- 

 ment went up from the crew of the train. 



#4 §ttltttt[e. 



WATER SUITABLE FOR TROUT. 



THE following article is from one of Wm. C, Prime's 

 "Lonesome Lake Letters" to the New York Journal 

 of Commerce. Although written to anglers, it bears so di- 

 rectly upon the interests of fish culture that in copying it 

 we place it under the department to which it more strictly 

 belongs. By the way, if all intelligent gentlemen who go 

 a-fishing, instead of being satisfied with the mere pleasure 

 of angling, would devote a portion of their time to study- 

 ing the habits of the fish, Ihey would not only find it a 

 pleasant recreation, but be able to contribute much that is 

 valuable to natural history and serviceable to man. It 

 surprises us to perceive how very few who fish with hook 

 and line seem to know their simple alphabet merely by 

 rote, without being able to give reasons for anything, or to 

 define the difference between cause and effect. Hear what 

 the apostle Prime saith : — 



"The season has been an excellent one for studying the 

 habits of trout in the mountain waters. The intense heat 

 of the sun during the latter part of July and the early part 

 of August had its effect on all exposed waters, even in 

 this high region. Profile lake, the most wonderful trout 

 pond in the world, in my judgment, seems to be more fully 

 stocked with trout this year than ever before. In June the 

 fish rose freely, but as July advanced, and the heat of the 

 sun penetrated the water, there was a sudden change. This 

 is the noteworthy fact, thai the change was not gradual 

 but one day the trout were rising freely, took any fly that 

 was offered, and seemed to be actively at work feeding 

 and the next day, by a common agreement, they refused to 

 rise, did not show themselves on the surface, and though 

 we tried them thoroughly at all hours of the day, from 

 early morning to dark, it was impossible to get up any- 

 thing but a few very small fish, and these only in shallow 

 water. At the same time the anglers with bait ceased to 

 take any, or took but very few. For some days newly-ar- 

 riving sportsmen, who tried the lake, declared that there 

 were no trout there, and would not believe the assurance 

 that there were thousands lying in cool recesses. This in- 

 stantaneous change convinced me that the water had 

 reached a temperature near the surface which was dis- 

 agreeable to all trout alike, and that as we human beings 

 tlo not like to go out in a hot sumhine, so they do not like 

 to go out in warm water. Meantime they did not feed. 

 The habit of the trout is to feed voracioutly at times and 

 remain quiet, with little or no food, for a long time. I 

 have known a three-pound trout to live for months ih a 

 glass tank, with elear spring water flowing in it, and keep 

 up his flesh aud appearance, though- he had no food but 

 the few animalcules which were in this Water and they 

 were very few, as I knew by repeated examination with 

 my microscope. 



"But one day we had a heavy shower in the early morn- 

 ina, the only shower of the season, which had been dry 

 here as elsewhere. Thinking this might have disturbed 

 the waer and equalized surface and depth temperature 

 I went down to the lake at about noon and made a few- 

 casts, but without success. I. was driven off the lake by 

 the sudden appearance over Cannon mountain of a black 

 cloud, which cyme on with a roar, and I had scarcely got- 

 ten into the shelter of the boat-house when a terrible hail- 

 storm burst over the lake. It was by much the most se- 

 vere hailstorm I have ever known, and continued for three- 

 quarters of an hour. The stones were very large and 

 when it cleared away the surface of Profile lake was' cov- 

 ered with a skim of ice slush, as if the winter ice had -just 

 melted. The sun broke out hot and fierce, and an army 

 of gnats came out of the forest. The ice had vanished in 

 a few minutes, but the surface water was cold enough 

 now, and there was evidently the wildest kind of exhiliia- 

 tiou ana delight among the trout. They came up literally 

 by the thousand, and leaped into the air to seize the gnats 

 In all my experience in wild waters I have never seen such 

 an exhibition of trout. They paid no sort of attention to 

 my presence, but rose ten, twenty at a time within reach 

 of my hand, all around me, and all over the surface of the 

 lake. At every cast they tumbled over my flies, crowding 

 one another in their haste. Of course I took all I wanted 

 in a lew minutes, and then sat in my boat and enioyed the 

 spectacle. 



"This continued all the afternoon and till dark The 

 night was cold, with frost. The next day was' much 

 warmer, but they rose till dark again. The day after that 

 it was impossible to persuade a respectable trout to rise 

 for the water had again become warrn. ' 



"JNow to show you where they were and what they were 

 doing. The bottom of Profile lake is dark, and you can- 

 not see trout m deep water. But Lonesome lake is clear 

 as crystal, and in some parts of it the bottom, in water 

 from three to five feet deep, is white granite gravel These 

 places are where cold spring water comes in, and the ther- 

 mometer in that water is always at about 43 degrees Dur- 

 ing the season of hot sunshine it was useless to cast flies 

 on auy part of the open lake, except over these spring 

 holes, and there I would not cast, for the trout were as 

 tame aa chickens. They lay on the white gravel packed 

 closely side by side, thousands on thousands, enjoying the 

 delicious cold water, and paid no attention to me as I 

 pushed my boat over them, but just rested and panted 

 with their gills, and looked up at me. They seemed to 

 have buch perfect assurance that I would not harm them 

 that I was compelled to let them alone. I had not the 

 heart to take them, and so day after day I would row over 

 them and take friends to see the immense multitudes so 

 closely packed that they hid the gravel for rods If I t >ok 

 an artificial fly and danced it with my fingers on the water 

 tney would rush up to seize it, perfectly confident that I 

 was no enemy. To tell tne frank truth, this little intimacy 

 which 1 established with them had such an effect on me 

 that of late I have not felt like killing trout in the lake at 

 all, and I have only taken euough for the table when I had 

 friends here, never when alone. 



"The inference to be drawn from constant observation 

 is, as I have before suggested, that the trout do not like to 

 move through water which has become warm, and that the 

 desire for food is suppressed when they can only obtain 

 food by going through warm water for it. But the ques- 

 tion remains open, What is the cause of the discomfort of 

 trout in water which is not cold? I am inclined to think 



