FOREST AND STREAM? 



21S 



looking toward a gentleman's furnishing store, I saw a hand- 

 some orange and white setter on the doorstep. Now I have 

 " a pretty good nose " and am staunch on " points." By the 

 side of the dog stood a gentleman and over the door was a 

 sign. I associated the three together at once. I did not 

 know either, but, as the detectives say, I had a "clue,'' 

 and so I walked over. I w T as informed by the 

 gentleman that the dog did not belong to him, but that, it 

 ■was the property of the person whose name was over the door. 

 He was waiting to see him, and if I would leave my address 

 he would take pleasure in hauuing it to him. I placed my card 

 in his hand. It was a masterpiece of strategy. In less than 

 an hour 1 was in the midst of good friends, and was kept busy 

 during the remainder of my stay. The person's name was 

 Geo. A. Fowler, who is the owner of several fine dogs, and one 

 of the best known sportsmen in the State. To him I have given 

 the privilege of claiming the name of " Yidocq "for his next 

 canine acquisition in remembrance of the circumstance. 

 Vidoeq, you know, was a noted French detective, and the 

 name js not inappr opiiate for a setter or pointer. Besides, it 

 sounds well, and is easily spoken. 



I carry with me many- pleasant memories of my sojourn in 

 Fort Wayne. 



From that place to Grand Rapids is an easy journey, the 

 route passing through a charming agricultural country, inter- 

 spersed with lakes and attractive summer resorts. There is 

 nothing by the wayside that seems to me worthy of note as 

 being of especial interest to the sportsman, so 1 will defer what 

 I have to say of my journey from Grand Rapids to the northern 

 part of the State of Michigan, until I publish my next letter. 

 Hereafter I shall make as minute mention as need be of all 

 the facilities afforded by the transportation companies, and of 

 all the comforts provided by the hotels, throughout the 

 county over which I traveled, without fear of being charged 

 with mercenary motives, or with being bought up by the 

 parties to whom I shad refer, it is the especial province of 

 the sporting journals to bring the game sections of the 

 conntry to the attention of sportsmen, and to make 

 them familiar with the routes that lead to the same. 

 Pioneer railroads in particular recognize the value of 

 inducing sportsmen to visit the regions they penetrate, 

 for sportsmen invariably follow the lumberman, and 

 precede the settler. As evidence of this recognition observe 

 the advertisements of railroad and steamboat lines that fill a 

 page of Forest and Stream. It is natural, therefore, that 

 these companies should provide every facility for the journa- 

 list to visit and explore the regions they traverse, and they 

 have done so iu my case. The policy of our journal has 

 always been liberal toward these lines, aud so is that of these 

 lines toward the sportsmen, and of the sportsmen in turn 

 toward this journal. The interest of the three are to an extent 

 mutual and reciprocal. In the matter of dog transportation, 

 once so vexatious to all concerned, the change of attitude of 

 the railroads within a brief period is most conspicuous ; and it 

 is fair to say that I found every line throughout my journey 

 of over 6,000 miles most considerate toward sportsmen in all 

 things pertaining to their own comfort, or to that of their 

 canine companions. They have found that gentility is part of 

 the composition of both. Ordinarily working dogs are well 

 trained, and, therefore, well-behaved, making neither noise 

 nor dirt. Their estimable aud docile qualities are rapidly 

 coming to notice, and for that reason are the more respected, 

 receiving the consideration they merit ; so that, really, the 

 pains and expense bestowed upon their education by their mas- 

 ters inures and reacts to the benefit of the masters themselves. 

 In traveling long distances it is customary to place the dogs 

 in charge of a baggage-master, brakernin or other employee, 

 whose fidelity is assured, the owner making frequent visits of 

 inspection to see that their comfort is looked to. But for short 

 trips the owner usually takes chances with the dog, and 

 travels in the baggage or express car with him. On most 

 lines throughout the country there is usually ample room, so 

 that no one is incommoded ; but on two or three of the great 

 main lines the accumulation of baggage is excessive, and the 

 vans are crowded. In this case the dogs are freely admitted 

 to the smoking cars, where they lie quietly and do not make 

 one tithe of the dirt that most of the bipeds do who flood 

 the floor with tobacco juice and promiscuous litter. The 

 careful sportsman will always carry some prepared dog food in 

 his pocket, and a tin cup, so that he may be independent, if 

 necessary, of unwilling services or short supply in other 

 directions. 



The whole study of canine physiology and mental character 

 is interesting, and nowhere can it be enjoyed to greater advan- 

 tage than in a van crowded with, aristocratic dogs. Very 

 little wrangling is attempted, and the creature that manifests 

 a churlish disposition receives the contempt he deserves from 

 his fellow travelers. They are not impudent or obstreperous 

 to strangers whom they would at home keep off from their 

 master's premises. While appreciative of approval, they de- 

 spise abject flattery, and never permit their vanity to be ex- 

 cited by empty attentions to the extent of climbing oh a man, 

 and plugging his shirt bosom. Any sensible notice taken of 

 them they gratefully recognize by a niUd cock of one eye, 

 and a gentle 8 wing of the tail, once. 



Each dog generally selects his corner by a general acquiesc- 

 ence, and having pre-empted his claim holds it throughout the 

 journey, subject only to his master's behests. Tumbling about 

 of heavy cases and trunks does not disturb their equanimity. 

 When waited upon with food or water, each is polite to his 

 neighbor, aud complacently awaits his turn, often when dis- 

 tressed with thirst. When permitted to take a run at a way 



station they generally do it in a sympathetic way, stretching 

 their limbs with lively satisfaction, but not romping or stop- 

 ping to swear at the village curs, which often attempt to med- 

 dle with them. If the latter become too annoying, the others 

 quietly circle around imtil they reach the side of their master, 

 where they feel secure. But, " dog-ou-it! " I find I am get- 

 ting on to subjects that are rather beyond the scope of my 

 letter, and so will pause here for the present. Hallock. 



A Bit of a Blow. — We have several letters from Naval Line 

 officers of various grades, which we confess contain very just 

 complaints of one of a series of articles entitled " South 

 American Reminiscences," which appeared in our issues of 

 Sept 20th and 27th and Oct. 4th among the miscellaneous 

 contributions. Portions of this article were not only decidedly 

 prejudicial to the Line of the naval service, and to the navy in 

 general, but reopened old issues which delicacy on the part of 

 houorable men would have prevented the slightest, allusion to. 

 The editor-in-chief, during whose absence these articles were 

 presented, while responsible for what appears in the paper, 

 claims some measure of grace and forbearance from those who 

 have been injured. Personally acquainted as he is with many 

 officers of the navy, and intimately with some ; cogoizaut also 

 of the personal issues to which the objectionable articles make 

 reference; and aware -that there are very many officers who 

 are constant readers of Foeest and Stream, he cannot too 

 sincerely express his regret that they should have appeared. 

 Certainly they would not have been published had they passed 

 under his snpervision. At the same time it is just to the con- 

 tributor of these articles to say that he wrote them many years 

 ago, and thoughtlessly published them without revision or 

 excision of the objectionable portions, which he had even for- 

 gotten had been written. As for our manuscript reader, who 

 prepared the matter for the printer, he was not aware of their 

 character, and is therefore blameless. We may say, too, that 

 the author is not a Line officer, and has had no connection with 

 the service for eight or ten years. 



We do not think it advisable to print the strictures which 

 we have received from indignant officers. Their publication 

 would undoubtedly have the effect to make matters worse 

 instead of better. We prefer to offer an apology as humbly 

 as need be, and can only say that our own self-respect is 

 increased by the evidences which they manifest of the high 

 estimation in which this journal and its utterances are held. 



The Yellow Fever at Poet Royal. — We have a state- 

 ment from Mr. Charles G. Kendall, who occupies Palmetto 

 Island, a mile and one-half from Port Royal, that the ye. low 

 fever was brought to that place by two steamers — one from 

 Fernandina and the other a Liverpool steamer from St. Thomas. 

 The condition of some of the premises was v-:ry filthy, and 

 being without sewerage of any kind, the town was in a con- 

 dition to receive the seeds of disease. On Wednesday, Oct. 

 10, there was said to be no sickness of any kind in the place. 

 At Beaufort, four miles up the river, there has been no yellow 

 fever. Up to the 8th of the month the weather had been con- 

 stantly damp and rainy, presenting conditions favorable to 

 disease. With the return of bright, pleasant weath er, it is 

 thought, all traces of sickness will disappear. 



Fast Time Across the Atlantic. — The Inman steam- 

 ship. City of Be rlin, which arrived from Europe on Saturday 

 last, made the passage in the remarkably short time of seven 

 days, f ourt een hours and twelve minutes. 



Peesonal.— Sir Henry Halford arrives in the City Satur- 

 day, Oct. 20th, when he will sail for England, having con- 

 cluded to forego his Western trip. T he National Rifle Asso- 

 ciation will bid him godspeed. 4 



On Friday our sanctum was brightened by the Hon. J. 

 Shaf to Hawks and lady, who propose to spend the cold month 

 among the orange and palmetto groves of Florida. 



English Sportsmen in America. — Another eminent Eng- 

 lish sportsman is coming to America soon, The Marquis of 

 Ailsa, accompanied by Capt. Wade Brown, an old guardsman, 

 and Capt. Boyle, intend starting the beginning of next month 

 from England in his steam yacht on a sporting tour to Florida 

 and Texas, and if possible will ascend the Mississippi. Any 

 information which we possess, or any service which we can 

 render, will be cheerfully given his lordship when desired. His 

 Mississippi River trip. would be very attractive if undertaken a 

 mouth earlier, when the foliage is full on the trees of the upper 

 stream. 



GAME PROTECTION. 



Meeting of the State Association of Pennsylvania. — 

 The Pennsylvania State Association for the protection of 

 game and fish met at Pittsburgh Oct. 10. It was recom- 

 mended that there be but one close season for game birds, 

 thus doing away with summer woodcock shooting, aud the 

 confusion of dates now so annoying to those who wish to en- 

 force the laws. 



It was proposed, too, that the Committee on game laws also 

 take into consideration amendments proposed at the special 

 meeting of the association at Harrisburg : One making it 

 unlawful to kill wild geese and ducks between the first clay of 

 AprU and the first day of September, and another providing 

 for granting pf search warrant where good cause exists for sup- 



posing game killed out of season is concealed. It is proposed 

 that the open season for brook trout be from April 1 to August 

 1 ; that no person shall kill any trout; cutting out the penally 

 for having in possession; that the close season for yellow, 

 willow, rock or black bass shall be from January 1 to July 1 , 

 and prohibiting the use of outline; that twenty fish wardens 

 be appointed at a salary not to exceed $50 per annum. Another 

 proposed new section provides that fifteen days after the 

 times mentioned in the act, so far as relates to the close sea- 

 ons for shooting and fishing, no persons shall have in thei 

 possession any of the therein mentioned game or game fish, 

 and the possession of the same shall be prima facte evidence 

 of a violation of the act. 



The following officers were elected for 1877-8: President, 

 Robert Dalzell, of Allegheny ; First Vice-President, D. W. 

 Seiler, of Harrisburg ; Second, J. B. Reno, of New Brighton; 

 Third, B. W- Richards, of Philadelphia; Fourth, F. E. 

 Blunt, of Sharon ; Recording Secretary, B. F. Dorrance, of 

 Wilkesbarre; Corresponding Secretary, A. M. Whistler, of 

 New Brighton ; Treasurer, J. A. Harper, of Pittsburgh. The 

 Association then adjourned to the second of June, 1878, to 

 meet at Wilkesbarre. 



Philadelphia, Oct. 13. — To-day, Mr. J. E. Kingsley, proprietor 

 of the Continental Hotel, was fined $ 10 for violation of the 

 game laws, he having "quail on toast'' on his bill of fare, 

 which was served to guests after the notification that such was 

 contrary to the statute. 



Nashua, N. H., Oct. 7. — Grouse are being snared in this 

 State by the thousand the law not being capable of enforce- 

 ment; for, as it now reads, owners of property may use 

 snares and devices on their own premises, or permit others to 

 do so. Webb. 



— At the annual meeting of the Genessee Sportsmen's Club 

 at Irodequoit last week, the officers elected for the ensuing 

 year were : President, Willett K. White ; Vice-President, 

 George H. Rudman; Secretary, J. H. Brown ; Treasurer, W. 

 A. Lyon. 



Texas — Waco Gun Club.— Tins club, which was organ- 

 ized last spring, is composed of influential gentlemen and 

 shows a good list of officers. The election for the ensuing 

 year resulted as follows: Pres., C. C. McOulloch ; Vice- 

 Pr<-s., John Thompson; Sec. and Treas., J. P. Garland; 

 Board of Managers, W. T. Lane, W. T. Angell and S. A. 

 Garland. The club are energetically taking action to secure 

 proper legislation for the protection of game and for the en- 

 forcement of the existing game laws. 



Piper Heidsieck.— The appearance of the advertisment of 

 this celebrated house in our columns, is an additional evidence 

 of the confidence which the commercial public have in the ef- 

 ficacy of Forest and Stream as an advertising medium. 

 Yachtsmen and steamers fitting out for Florida will not fail 

 to lay in a supply. There is no brand of champagne so reliable. 

 It has withstood all tests from the beginning, and its reputa- 

 tion has never been dimmed by rival brands. Address John 

 Osborn & Co., 45 Beaver street. 



THE INTERNATIONAL TROPHY. 



'"pHE suggestion first published in our columns that a new 



-■■ trophy should be provided, and a new series of matches 

 inaugurated, to fill the wish of the British riflemen for a dis- 

 tinctive British-American match, meets with a very emphatic 

 approval by Sir Henry Hatford in a letter written by him 

 from Niagara Falls under date of Oct. 1. While regretting 

 that his favorite project of affecting a change in the conditions 

 of the Centennial Trophy match, lie falls readily in with the 

 idea of establishing a new competition in which the largest 

 area of selection should bring out the strongest possible teams, 

 of course it is desirable to have the new trophy fought for 

 under the most exacting conditions, and the substitution of 

 the 1,100 yards range for the now comparatively easy 800 

 yards shooting, will meet the approval of the long-range ex- 

 perts. Before our next issue Sir Henry's promised meeting 

 with the Board of Directors, N. R. A., will have taken place, 

 and we can speak more exactly on this new match proposition. 

 In his letter the British team captain says : 



I cannot write as fully as I wish on 3 r our proposal for a new 

 prize for the International match for the championship of the 

 world. Had it been possible, I should h ive preferred that the 

 terms for shooting for the Centennial Trophy should have been 

 so altered as to place that prize at the head of the list of prizes 

 in the world for the future, as it was accidentally this year ; 

 but, failing such alteration, it gives me much pleasure to think 

 that we shall have an opportunity of again meeting you in 

 friendly rivalry at the butts. 



1 on must not forget that I am only a single member of our 

 Council, and that in anything I say I must not be under- 

 stood iu any way to commit the National Hifle Association of 

 Great Britain and Ireland, but I will undertake to urge upon 

 them the desirability of entering heartily into these friendly- 

 con tests. • 



There is no doubt that this year, owing to the shortness of 

 time, we labored under very great difficulties in getting to- 

 gether a team worthy to meet your riflemen, and I thoroughly 

 appreciate your courtesy in taking such steps as will enable 

 us to be better prepared next year. 



On my leturn to New York 1 shall be glad to meet your 

 Directors, to talk over the terms of the match, and, in the 

 meantime, will mention what I feel sure will meet with the 

 approval of our riflemen, viz. : 



That it shall be open for us to select one team from Great 

 Britain, Ireland, our Colonies and Dependencies, if we thiDk 

 fit | and that only one combined team from these be admitted 

 to shoot for our country. 



That all communications to us be made to our National 



