8906 
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FOREST AND STREAM. 
Se 
' 
age ee 
OSWEGO Y. O—This club has now six yachts of ten tons and over; 
Laura, Ethel, Cricket, Katie Gray, Fascination and Ella, besides the 
ateam yacht Ruth, On June 10, the owner of the Cricket received a 
dispateh from the Cyznet st Coourg, asking him fio meet the latter 
thatnight at Big Sodus, eighty miles from Cobourg. At 5:40 P. M. 
the Cricket was under way, and with a good breeze made the rendeéz- 
yous at 1145 P. M., just fifteen minutes after the Cygnet had 
anchored. Allof the yachts have Made cruises during the summer, 
snd most of them haye taken part in the races on the lake. 
AMY,.—Mr. H. D: Morgan, formerly owner of the schooner 
Wanderer, has purchased the steam yacht Amy from her former 
owner, Mr. W. N. Stewart, and left Southhampton on Nov, 22 for the 
Mediterranean. Amy was designed by Mr, St. Clare J. Byrne, and 
built at Port Glasgow, in 1880; of iron. She. is 187.5ft. long, 27,4ft. 
beam and 14.6ft. depth of hold, with cylinders 26 and 46x27ins., and is 
rated 100A. at Lloyds’, Sheis rigged as a schooner. 
AN ACCIDENT TO VANESSA.—The famous 20-tonner Vanessa, 
was run into on Noy. 8, about 7:3) P. M , when off St. Alban’s Head, 
by the mail steamer Don. The Jatter struck the yacht and knocked 
her counter off, carrying the dinghy off the deck, and throwing over- 
board the son of the captain, who was drowned, The two hands left 
on the yacht broug.it her safely into Swanage, and from there she 
was taken to Poole for repairs. 
LISTS OF WINNERS AND RACES,—In the list published. last 
week, Enimie C, should be credited with 4 races sailed, not 1; and 
Rita with 8 instead of 5, In the Hull Y, C. races of Jume 21, there 
were 5 starters in fifth class, Imogen winning, and in the sixth class 
@ starters, Mirage winning, Cruiser sailed 14 races, winning 10 firsts, 
instead of 9 as in the list. 
LLOYD'S YACHT REGISTER.—We have received the second 
supplement to the Yacht Register of 1884, containing alterations and 
additions to Noy.15. Among the new yachts classed are Genesta, 
74.73 tons register and Nourmahal 372.6 tous register, The latter is 
aiessed 100A. Nourmahal is now dismantled and laid up at City 
sland, 
THE NEW 47-TON CUTTER.—The lead keel, of abont 38 tons, 
is now ready, as is also the wooden one, and also her steel frames, as 
ghé will be of composite build. In the same yard Trex is hauled out 
for soraping and planing to put her in condition for next year. 
NEW YORK HARBOR,—The Secretary of the Treasury has recom- 
mended an appropriation of $25,000 for a new survey of the harbor. 
Ganacing. 
QANOEISTS ore tnviled to send usa notes and full reports of cruises 
club meets, information about canoeable waters, and. other comma, 
nications of interest. 
CANOEING IN 1884. 
HE season just closed has been, as was predicted last spring, the 
most prosperous that canoeing has yet known, The ‘camp- 
fires” held Jast winter by the various clubs kept alive the general in- 
terest and stimuiated several branches of canoeing, especially that 
of building and fitting up; while the general interchange of idéas 
among eanoeists made them better acquainted. with each other. The 
subject of local meets was also discussed and plans laid which after- 
ward were fully carried out. Ibis due mainly to these meetings that 
the early spring found most of the canoes ready for use, overhauled, 
varnished, newly rigged; while in general excellence of model, fit- 
tings and ri¢ the feet was far ahead of any previous one. With the 
breaking up of winter the boats were afloat, their crews making the 
Most of the time allowed for practice before the spring meetings. 
During the winter the work of organizing new clubs also went on, 
and a number of members were added to the Association, Under the 
direction of Dr. Neidé the camp ground at Grindstone Island was 
located, all courses carefully surveyed and buoyed, and the bearings 
taken, so a8 to replace any lost marks, most of the worl: being done 
in & deep snow; while the numberless other details of the meet were 
arranged long in advance, the results of such care being evident to 
all when they finally met in August, 
The season really opened with the meets of May 3? on the Hudson 
and the Connecticut, The former was held on the site of the old fort 
just below Newburg, and was attended by fifLy canoeists from the 
neighborhoad of the Hudson River, from Albany to New York, The 
camp lasted three days, during which time a series of races were 
held. The main contest, a match between the Snake and the Dot, 
was not decided on account of the rough water, neither boat com- 
pleting the course after being out for several hours. The mect was 
attended by a number of new canoeists who had never visited the 
annual eamps. and resulted in an increased interest in canoeing along 
the entire length of the Hudson, 
On the same days a meet was held on the Connecticut River below 
Springfield, at which the Hartfordand Springfield clubs were present 
with some other canoeists,the occasion being a successin every 
way. Following these were the meets of the Hastern canoeists on 
the Merrimac River on June 14-16, andon Lake George July 24-27, 
the latter on the siie of the first A.C,A, meets. Besides these, several 
clubs have had short opening cruises, or meets of a purely local 
character, as the Rondout C. C., on July 4-7. 
The results of these meetings have been to promote good feeling 
and acquaintanceship among canoeists, as owing to the smaller 
number present, men become better acquainted than at a meet of 
three or four hundred, A healthy spirit of rivalry is also estalished 
among the various clubs, as 10 who shall have the best canoes, the 
most complete outfit, the most slnllful sailors, the most therough 
discipline, the neatest uniform, and who shall excelin camp cookery. 
Thier competition has already raisea the standard of excellence in all 
these departments of canoeing. The meets are also oceasions for an 
interchange of ideas, and as they are usually enlivened by more or 
less spirited debates over questions of sailing, cruising and camp 
economy among men from different localities and adherents of differ- 
ent branches of the sport, they are directly responsible for many im- 
provements. j A 
The Newhure meet, for instance, with the high wind and rough 
water, made apparent to many who had at first condemned her, the 
merits of Com. Whillock’s large canoe Guenn, and explained to those 
familiar only with up river work and light canoes, the value of several 
oinis in the New Youk boats, The locga] spring s.eets have proved 
in every way a success, and haye become a permanent and valuable 
feature of American canoeing. Being within the reach of many who 
have not leisure to travél 400 miles, or more perhaps, to the grand 
meet, they bring inmany who would not otherwise join, and each 
oue promotes the spread of canoeing over alargetract ot country. No 
definite plans are as yet laid for 85, but canoeists are all ready for 
such outings as those of last year, and are already discussing the 
subject amoug themselves. : 
OF eourse the main évent of the canoeist’s calendar was the annual 
meet in August, for which preparations had been going on for the 
previous year. The question of a meeung place was widely dis- 
cussed in the fall. many favoring the old camp at the Oanoe Islands 
in Lake George, while others were in favor of anew sile. The ques- 
tion also came up ns to Whether il was better to decide on a perma- 
nent location for the annual meet, either at Lake Geonge or else- 
where, or to change each year, The majority favored the former 
lan, as involving Jess 6xpense amd much less work for the secretary, 
ut. no definite decision was arrived at. It was felt that Lake George 
was too far to expect the large Canadian contingent to come, and to 
accommodate them a site was selected on Grindstone Island, in the 
St, Lawrence River, néar the boundary line of Canada and the United 
States. ; 
Here all preparations were carefully made in advance, the camp 
site cleared up, courses buoyed, landing stages laid down, dock and 
mess-shed built, arrangements made with a caterer to supply pro- 
visions, and with steam launches to carry passengers and mails toand 
from Clayton »nd Gananoque, and a ladies’ camp located, some dis- 
tance away from the main camp,so that when the firsh canoeist 
arrived, all he had to do was to land and pitch bis tent. 
For over three weeks the quiet islanil was the scene of bustle and 
activity, Paces and short cruises by day, camp-fires and illuminations 
by night, songs on the water and by the fires, visits to Squaw Point, 
long-winded discussions of knotty points, such as all canoeists de- 
hight in, renewals of old friendshipsand the formation of new ones, 
under a glorious summer sky, and with a perfect freedom from all 
the care and worry of busine-s, ma,ing a time to he looked back to 
with pleasant regret, and forward to its return in 1885 with eager 
so abe were, a5 usual, a prominent feature of the meet, and 
while the calms that prevailed on several days interfered with the 
Bailiig progra me, on the whole they were yery successful. 
This meet was the occasion of the inauguration of the ‘average 
record’'system, an entirely new’ feature in catioe racing, which was 
devised by members of the New York C.C. The tendency of racin, 
is at NS toward the production of extreme types, and the devel- 
opment of aclass of semi-smateurs who devote more time to the 
sport than most canveists areab.e to do, with the sole aim of accumu- 
lating prizes, both very objectionable features. The attention of 
canoeists has long been drawn to the matter, partly by the condition 
of canoeing abroad, as compared with its progress here, and several 
schemes have been proposed to remedy the matter, but none have 
pees satisfactory. Under the rules, a man was allowed to bring as 
many boats as he wished to a meet, so that those who cared little 
forthe expense, or who could reach the camp easily, could bring: 
special boats for each race, practically excluding from the racas 
the eruiser who had trrayeled hundreds of miles in his cruising 
hoat. While this evil had neyer reached gérious Pigpetcns the 
danger was apparent, as rivalry between the different clubs in- 
ereased, even though the prizes offered were of nominal value, 
The new system, however, prevents all this, as the principal prizes 
are given to the five men having the best record for a series of races. 
The programme is 80 arranged as to include an equal number of sail- 
ing and paddling races, in all of which each man will presumably 
compete, A certain mark is etree to him in each raze according to 
his position atthe finish, and the first prize is awarded to the man 
who has the largest total for the entire series of races. Separate 
prizes for first and second in each race are also given, but as each 
man Can use but one boat for all races, there will be no tendency to 
build mere racing machines. Should aman, for instance, build an 
extreme paddling boat, in any class, hé could at most win only a first 
prize (a silk flag) in one, or perhaps two races, while the man in the 
al-round boat, entering a dozen mixed races, willin all probability 
capture several first or second face prizes, besides coming in with a 
biz score tor the average prizes; while the average canoeist, in ordin- 
arily good condition, and in a fair cruisiag boat, by going iuto all 
races and doing his best, although he may take no race prizes, will 
have as good a chance as any forthe average. Thus far the scheme 
has worked perfectly, and it really seems as though it would accom- 
plish the desired end of putting the honest criuser abead of the 
specially built racer. An inspection of the records of the races, which 
appeared in Forest AND STREAM last August, Will show that a laree 
number of the prizes went to Oanada, a fact due partly to the fast 
paddling of one Canadian, and the excellent all-around work of an- 
other, but also to the Jack of wind for the sailing races, the Canadiaus 
excelling at paddling, while the sailing prizés usually remain south of 
the boundary line; but this season the sailing classes were especiall 
unfortunate in the weather on race days, a state of affairs which, itis 
hoped, will be avoided by holding the meet 4 week earlier next year, 
at which time there is usually plenty of wind. 
Socially the meet was as ereat a success as in other ways, a8 aspirit 
of good fecling and camaraderie was apparent everywhere among 
the canoeists. The composition of the vathering was curious in 
many ways; georraphically, they came not only from all sections of 
the United States, but from Canada us well; all ages and classes were 
represented, from the young schoolboy to judges and ministers well 
up in the sixties. perhaps the larger number being business and pro- 
fessional men between the ages of twenty five and fifty; but in spite 
of the difference in age and position, there were no breaks in the gen- 
eral harmony, and with the exception of one or two briflinz matters 
the thirteen races of the programme went off without dispute or ill 
feeling. The presence of ladies added greatly to the pleasure of the 
camp, and the beach at Squaw Point was always crowded with a fleet 
of canoes, 
The business meeting of the year was held on the last day of the 
meéet, and although oceupying but little time, the necessary business 
of the Association was trausacted, The officers elected for the énsu- 
ing year were: Commodore, R. 8. Oliver, Mohican C. C.; Vice-Com- 
modore, RK. 8, Rathbun, Deseronto C, C.; ReaCommodore, F. F, An- 
drews, Rochester C. C,; Secretary and Treasurer, C. A. Neidé, Lake 
George ©. C.: Executive Committee—Messrs. Rand, of Boston, Wood, 
of Peterboro, and Vaux, of New York. 
The erowth of the Association during the year has been steady 
rather than rapid, the new members received being from all parts af 
the country, though less numerous than is desirable in the western 
part, where the Association is as yet not as strons as it should be. A 
strong effo t will be made this year to inaugurate a meet as far West 
as is possible, and to interest the large Baey of canoeists now unat- 
tached. The increase in membership over last year is but small, as 
many Canadians who joined in 1883 only did so in order to attend the 
camp at Stony Lake, and have since dropped out, 
While the Association races were the main events of the year in 
the racing world, nearly all of the clubs have held races during the 
season, most of them having races each week or two weeks during 
the time when the members are not cruising, as well as open re- 
gattas in the spring and fall. Racing has become 4 most important 
and valuable feature of canoeing, and under proper restriction it 
does more for the improvement of boats and rigs than any other 
agency. The tendency to build machines seems now well guarded 
against, and the result of future competition will be to give us better 
all around boats each year. 
There has been a general improvement in canoes during the year, 
largely due as stated before, to the discussions of last winter, Men 
are taking a greater interest in questions of model and rig, they are 
desirous of knowing more about their boats, and are less willing to 
trust all to the judgment of the builder. Both in model and con- 
struction the canoes of to-day are superior to their predecessors, and 
thera is still no end to further improvement. The majority are, of 
course, of wood, and of these the greater number, and the best boats, 
are of lapstreak build, although some very fine boats are turned ont 
by the new Canadian methods. 
In rig there is a marked improvement, the old favorite, the balance 
lug, being little altered, but canoes generally are more neatly canvased 
than formerly. The lateenis seen less often, but the year has pro- 
duced Com. Oliver's naw settee, known as the ‘Mohican sail,” a val- 
uable addition to the long list of rigs, This and the balance lug will 
probably divide the caude fraternity for some time to come, to the 
exclusion of Jateen, leg of mutton, and other olderrizs. Many new 
devises have also bean brought to the notice of canoeists at the vari- 
ous mépts, the racing seatof the Mohican C. C., their different de- 
vices of rig and filtings, the drop rudder, not new, buufor the first 
time generally introdaced. Mr, Barney, of the Springfleld C. C., has 
invented a new rudder and hanging gear, as well as a new deck til- 
ler; several of the N.Y, C, C. haye made additions to their lug rigs, 
giving a better set to the sail. Mr, Stephens, N. ¥, 0. C,, has devised 
several improvements in the way of rudder fittings, and a number of 
other improvements have been made. Perhaps one of the greatest 
improvements of the year is the new folding centerboard, now coming 
into general use, in which the trunk is entirely beneath the floor, 
with only a handle aboye it. This board promises to settle the ques- 
tion of keel yersus centerboar'd for canoes, 4s it permits the use of an 
efficient centerboard without materially decreasiog the sleeping and 
stowage room. ; Y 
The principal event of the fall was the meeting of the Executive 
Committee, at Albany, in October. Much business was transacted, 
the question of next year’s camp was decided in favor of Grindstone 
Island again, the date being set for the last week in July and the first 
in August. Some chatiges were made in the rules of measurement, 
to adapt them etter to the record, and to correct some points in 
which experience had shown them to ba déficient The Regatta Com- 
Inittee discussed aud outlined a programme for the next races, giving 
an equal chance to all classes, under sail ar paddle, and some new 
menibers were admitted. ‘he visitors were handsomely entertained 
by the Mohican © C©., who arranged a series of races, which, how- 
ever, were not entirely successful, owing to calms on the river. é 
While it is early yet to make plans for next season, the prospect is 
good for an active year. Canoeing has recovered from the disfavor 
with which it was rezarded in its earlier years by other boating men 
and the general public, and is now recognized by all as a healthy, 
manly and sensible outdoor sport, and the little craft win the ap- 
preval of sailormen of all classes who see them afloat, The ridicule 
and chaffing that the eanoeist unce met everywhere, has for the most 
part disappeared, and they are well received by nearly all. One great 
end obtained by the Association, is 4 partial recognition of canoeists 
by the railroads and steamers, who for the most pary make liberal 
terms for canoes going to and from the mee’s, and are more obliging: 
generally with canoeists than they once were. 
The prospects for new clubs and new members tor the A. O. A. are 
food, as the dim and scope of canoeing and the Association are be- 
coming better known, and asthe popularily of all outdoor sports is 
increasing, and theit necessity more generally utiderstood. Canoeing 
must grow rapidly, as ib offers stiractions that no other does, 
The prospects are for a good racing seagon in 1885, as this branch 
of the spo.t is becoming deservedly more popular, and those who 
once opposed it as detrimental to cruising, now understand that their 
interests nay be identical, and the average record will give an opper- 
tunity 10 eruisers which they have never before had, and will beyond 
doubt greatly increase the entries in elnb and association races. _ 
Because the year just closed has been marked by few long critises 
it must not be supposed that ervising is declining inany way. Cruises 
that a few years since would hayes been widely heralded in the 
papers, are now too much matters of course to attrach much atten- 
tion. The idea of covering long distances merely for noboriety, is 
little likely to bring discredit on canoeing, but instead practical 
traveling and camping are daily increasing. Cruises, long and short. 
are made on all water-, shortruns through the season, and a hight 
in camp once a week, are common matters in all clubs, and there is & 
healthy tone of sentiment in regard to cruising, discouraging danger- 
ous trips and unnecessary risks, and promoting that sorc of work 
whichis a rest and recreation wihout the unhealthy stimulus of 
covering so many miles. or traversing pecnlarly dangerous waters, 
‘The question of the danger of canoemg thay bas been brought up in 
consequence of several accidents Uhis season. has been met by canoe- 
iste, and irs agitation will result in greater care in the future on the 
part of those who have the care of novices. : " 
There is now every probability of a number of local meets in May, 
and a larger attendance than ever befora at the meet in July and 
August, as nearly all who are present ona year, come back with new 
recruits next season, The interest In racing, and especially sailing, 
is greatly increasing in Canada, as the features of the American 
canoes are better understood, and it is probable that their eances, 
now resembling closely in many respects the birch bark type. will 
gaanee xasterda lly in a few years, approaching more nearly the mod- 
The fisteneat of canoeists in improving their craft is no less than last 
year. and we may sepa a still greater improvement in all that per- 
tains to canoeing in the coming season. 
NEW YORK C, C. 
APY annual meeting of the New York CG. ©. was held at the resi” 
dence of Com, Whitlock, on Taursday, Dec. 4. The officers 
elected for the ensuing year were: Commodore, Wm, Whitlock; Vice- 
Commorore, C, K, Munroe; Secretary and Treasurer, J, F. Newman; 
Executive Committee, H. O. Bailey, C. J, Stevens, 
The report of the treasurer showed the club to be ina prosperous 
condition, with a balance of cash in hand, Although two regattas 
had been held during the year, and the needed repairs made on the 
chib house, the expenditures, under the carefial management of the 
secretary, haye been very small, The question of a new and larger 
club house was discussed, but it was decided that no action could be 
taken at present until the Rapid Transit Railroad was completed, and 
the pee for the improvement of the water front have fully deyel- 
oped. The present house will be moved outside of the tracks before 
spring. Messrs, Bailey, Stephens and Clapp were appointed a com- 
inittes to print a new edition of the constitution and Bela, and it 
was resolved that the treasurer's report be printed and sent to all 
iInembers. A committee was also tea to make arrangements 
for the annual dinner, which will take place this week. It is pro- 
posed to make a departure from the established custom, and that the 
club shall cook their own dinner, as all canoeists should. To this end 
atrangements haye been made with Miss Parloa forthe use of her 
kitchen and rooms. where a number of the clubmen will prepare the 
dinner under her direction. 
‘The club house being closed and the floats removed for the winter, 
many of the canoeists have moved their crait up the Kills, 
Esmeralda, Sipalong and Tramp are hauled up for the season— 
under the rafters of Marmalade Lodge—Mr. Stevens, the owner of the 
Tramp, being in Hogland. 
Surge is haying deckflaps removed, and well lengthened so as to 
allow the crew to sit one foot nearer the bow. She will be in com- 
mission all winter, as will Lark, Psyche, Jersey Blne, Pirate, Frealk, 
Mosquito and Jessica. Lark has been overhauled and varnished. 
Pirate has had 2in, more keel added and deckflaps removed. Mosquito 
will have new decks and well and new mast tubes, after her wreck 
last fall, and Jessica has been converted into a double canos, carry- 
ing two persons easily, while with her extreme diménsions, 14x24, she 
is yery fast. Mr, Vaux will have a new craft to succeed the Dob, and 
several other new boats will be added to the club during the winter. 
ROYAL C. C. 
GENERAL meeting of the Royal C. C. was held on Nov. 25, at 
which the following officers were elected for 1885: Commodore, 
H.R.H, the Prince of Wales; captain, J. Macgregor (Rob Roy); mates, 
J. W. Clayton and G. Herbert; secretary, T, G. f; Winser; committes, 
the Harl of Caithness, H. Hyans, A. B. Ingram, Dixon Kemp, the Hon, 
ne a: sar ea W. G, Kiein, E, B. Tredwen, Lambton Young, and 8, 
each, 
The principal question discussed was that of cruising canoes, as the 
English racing canoes have reached a state of perfection which can 
ouly be attained by an expenditure of time anid money, and an 
amount of skill, which excludes ali but a Tew from the races. To 
remedy this, and to encourage a class of ernising canoes, Mr. Baden- 
Powell proposed the system of average prizes and mixed races which 
was tried by the American Canoe’ Association this year, with such 
success, three prizes to be given for the best averages, and Mr, Clay- 
ton presented the prizes, of £15, £10 and £5, to be given to the first, 
second and third on the list. 
The limit of weight in the ernising class was increased from 150 to 
200 lbs. for total displacement, without crew. The rules were also 
amended so as to limit the minimum depth of Rob Roy canoes from 
level of topstreak to garboards, to 8in., and from inside of center 
of deck to garboards to llin. The programme of races proposed is as 
follows: Hendou—Sailing, first class; sailing, second class; paddling 
and sailing. first class. Teddingtun—Sailing. first class; sailing, 
second class; long paddling (second class paddling), Rerathe “Pad: 
dling and sailiny (first class); paddling (second class paddling); sail- 
ing (first class); running sailing (first clas:); sailing (secoud class). 
In eee the challenge cup races, novice, chase, four paddle and 
two paddle. 
The number of points given to the winner in each race will be that 
of the starters, the second scoring one less, and so on. Walkovers 
will count one, and in cases of ties, the number of times each boat has 
beaten the other, will decide, or if both have the same number of 
victories the prize will be divided. 
MORE COALS FOR NEWCASTLE. 
GG is generally admitted that canoeing, in its modern sense, owes 
its origin, as well as the main features of ils development, to Eng- 
Jand, Our first canoes were the Rob Roy and Nautilus, both im- 
orted models, and the vast improvements in boats and rigs of the 
ast few years, date from the valuable series of papers on canoeing in 
the Feld, 1879-80, and the revisions of the same, since published in 
“Yacht and Boat Sailing.” : 
These writings gave a stimulus to canoe design in America, which 
has resulted in the production of the finest miniature pleasure fleet 
that has ever existed. Probably some few of the English canoes ex- 
ce] the best of ours both in finish and completeness of equipment, 
but the average American boat is far ahead of the average on the 
other side, especially in weight. As our boats travel piuch preater 
distances by rail and steamer, and generally make longer cruises, a 
smaller and lighter craft than the English has grown up, but as far as 
ean be judged by tne performances of English model in our races, 
the American craft ave superior in spéed, portability, and the general 
requisiles of a canoe, Ss : 
The racing rules of the American Canoe Association were. in 1881, 
taken largely from those of the Royal C, C., but have since been 
earefully amended each year, until now there is no possibility of 
their leading to the results so apparent in England, where canoeing 
has developed to such an extreme of perfection that those who should 
make the best canoeists are debarred from it, and the growth of the 
sport is suspended. The danger of such a result has long been fore- 
seen here, and & means of preventing it has been eagerly sought for 
by American canoeists, with the result that last summer a plan for a 
series of mixed races was proposed by a member of the New York 0, 
C,, which was further improved by the suggestion by another mem- 
ber, of the plan now known as the average record, by which the prin- 
cipal prizes are given to the men and canoes who make the bestaver- 
age in a number of mixed races. This plan was worked out in all its 
détails and proposed to the Regatta Committees of the A. C. A, by its 
originator, who afterward compiléd the record of the races as pub- 
lished in Forest AND STREAM, of Aug, 25. The scheme has been a 
complete success thus far, and with afew alterations of the rules, 
which have sincé been made, thereis no doubt that ib will accom- 
plish its end, and preyent both the building of racing machines and 
the competition of professionals in our rages, while ib must promote 
the building of crui-ing canoes, : . 
In the London Field, of Nov, 22, appears a very interesting letter 
from Mr. Baden-Powell, widely known in this country from his 
Jvautilus canoes, lamenting the state into which British cunosing has 
fallen, due to the encouragement of extreme types, and proposing as 
a remedy an ‘‘ayerage record” plau shnilar to that used here last 
season. ‘This plan, as noted elsewhere, was brought before the Royal 
Canoe Club, on Noy. 25, and adopted, but neither in Mr. Baden- 
Powell's letter, nor in the published report of the proceedings, do we 
find yny allusion to the source whence it was derived. We con- 
eratulate the Royal Canoe Club on the action they have taken, as we 
feel confident that it will promote the growth of canoeing and the 
design and construction of canoes, and Amerivan canoeists will no 
doubt appreciate the compliment implied by the adoption of a 
peculiarly American feature into British canoeing, but it certainly 
would have been no more tham fair, on the part of the proposers of 
the scheme, to have given credit to the originators of the idea. 
THE NEW YORE C. 0, DINNER.—In the earlier years of its exist- 
ence, the New York O. 0, dined every year at Café Hungaria, where 
the advanced spirits of the club discussed gravely the degeneracy of 
those who used a paddle longer than MacGregor’s, orran to extremes 
on the question of ballast by carrying & twenty-five-pound shot baer. 
Later on the clb chose Marrinelli’s for a dining place where, in whi 
tie and dvess coat, a rig in itself a rebuke to anything so uuconven- 
tional as canoeing, they tried to keep up the illusion that they were 
enjoying themselves as canoeists should. A more intimate acquaint- 
ance with the real pleasures of camp life has brought a contempt for 
such vanities, and this year they will enjoy a dinner in every way 
worthy of canoeists. Un Saturday next, a number of the club mem- 
bers will meetat4 P. M., at Miss Parloa’s Coo School, No. 222 
Hast Seventeenth sireet, where they wall listen toa lecture on camp 
cookery, by Miss Parloa, and in connection with the lecture will pre 
pare, under her direction, a dinner which the club and their guests 
will partake of at 7:30 P.M. Allare expected to wear club uniforms 
or camp costume, and no one will be admitted in full dress, Members: 
may obtain wickets at $3 each of the committee, Messrs. Whitlock, — 
Munroe and Perrin, 
4 
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