FOREST AND STREAM: 
283 
A SPORTSMAN’S DINNER. 
When Wordsworth sang : 
“ A creature not too bright or good 
For Unman nature's dally food," 
could the poet have meant trout ? Wordsworth was a Laker, 
aud Cumberland did in his time abound in trout. Though no 
commentator (and commentators are so neglectful) has ever 
mentioned it— as no man is a poet who is not fond of his 
stomach— it must have been that Wordsworth lingered by a 
brawling stream and saw a crimson spotted trout flashing 
through the water aud thought how really good it was to cat. 
When, then, at Miss Corson’s cooking school one evening last 
week, a most appreciative assemblage of gentlemen and Indies 
saw placed on the table superb trout, wonderfully cooked, the 
gastronomic delights of the Adrioudacks were renewed. Hy- 
patia discoursed in the Alexandrine Academy the past sym- 
bolic lore of the Greeks, as Miss Corson teaches in New York 
to day the practical good lessons of the present. Now, to see 
a fair lady, knife in hand, in eburming costume, lay down the 
law and teach bow to broil, roast, to stew, to flavor, to gar- 
nish, is indeed the true poetry of the cuisine. One mission 
this lady has is to show people, the ignorant ones, how many 
good things the Lord provides us with, and how to dress them. 
Now there is the flounder, the much despised d lb or mud fish. 
You can buy flounders for a song, because almost everybody 
turns up their noses at them. Now do you, lady reader of 
this journal, just follow Miss Corson's method. Lay your fish 
Jlat ou a board. Take a sharp knife and make a straight cut 
down in the middle of the fish from where his gills start to his 
tail. Then put your knife parallel to the fish, aud passing 
along the bones, detatch the two fillets. Turn him over and 
proceed the same way with the back of the fish. Now you 
have four fillets. Take off the skin, by pulling the fillet with 
the skiu side flat downward, and placing the knife flat on 
the table, taking an end of the skin and pulling it towards 
you, and the tough epiderm will be deta'ched. Trim off the 
edges and cut the fillets bias. Then have some yolk of egg, 
pour your fillets into it and roll them in cracker powder, and, 
having a pan with hot boiling sweet oil in it, fry your fillets a 
light brown and eat it with sauce Tartare. If then your hus 
band does not applaud your dish he is deficient in all gas- 
tronomio sense. 
Here is the bill of fare which was partaken of, all cooked 
before the party by Miss Corson : 
Pareo of Salmon. 
Fillet of Fish, with Tartare Saaoe. 
Ly unaise Potitoes. 
Broiled Trout with Dutch Sauce. 
Matzoea, with Anchovy Butler. Lobater Sala.l. 
Sar line Sandwiches. 
I’retzel9. Olives. 
Game S;iute, a lu Murengo. 
Petits pole an Naturel. Curried Klee. Brol'ed Birds, with Maltre 
d' Hotel Butter. WiitTroresses, with French Salad Dreselog. 
Omelette Geleatlne. 
Assorted Fruit. Sweet Biscuit. 
Roquefort and Cream Cheese. ColTee. 
Now there is really nothing impossible in this bill of fare 
and such extraordinary things as are not found in the woods 
as sweet oil, sardines or anchovies, though they may be brought 
to camp in cans, might be dispensed with. If good bacon fat 
can be used as a substitute under proper precautions in lieu of 
sweet oil, which is perfectly possible, the whole cuisine is reu 
dered possible. Around a camp-fire, though appetites are 
keen, the bad cook comes in for no small amount of deserved 
abuse. Cooking may be, according to Brillat Savarin, an in 
spiration, but a little thought given to baking-pans, gridirons 
and skillets accomplishes wonders. 
Among the invited guests were His Honor Mayor Ely, the 
Honorable R. B. Roosevelt and Mr. E. G. Blackford. As 
President of the Fishcultural Association, in addition to liis 
ichthyological lore, no one has a more thorough acquaintance 
with the rafineric of the hunter’s cuisine than Mr. Roosevelt 
as his books on fishing show. If, then, Mr. Roosevelt has a 
mission, it is also to convince people how much excellcntgood 
food is lost through their stupid prejudice. This economic 
problem, it is quite possible, Mr. Roosevelt will solve some 
day by having a dinner composed of the fish “ which people 
do not eat. ’’ The nutricious squid, the succulent dog-fish 
will certainly figure on this occasion. 
Miss Corson’s dinner was admirable in every way, and her 
perfect cuisine, her skill, her thorough knowledge of the whole 
subjeot, her deftness in handling a cook’s knife or a casserole 
were only equalled by her pleasing grace as a hostess. If 
Miss Corson would write some small book adapted to the re- 
quirements of sportsmen we are quite certain that it would be 
fully appreciated. We see now in our mind’s eye men seated 
of nights in the wild woods, by the light of smouldering fires 
conning over this coming volume, and at the very next break 
fast putting into practice all Miss Corsin secrets. The only 
trouble might be that a man in coming back, a thorough gradu 
ate in the better school of camp cookery, would he dissatified 
with the tamer fare provided by his wife. 
KILL THE FISH YOU CATCH. 
A Cincinnati correspondent sends the following considerate 
letter : 
Editor Forest and Stream : 
Nobody would like to eat beef taken from a drowned animal, but 
when we lake flsh alive out of the water we string them, and, when 
eaUsdeil wlih the sport, we sling them over our shoulder and wander 
toward the kitchen, without thinking of killing them. That Is a gen 
eral rule. Is It not very cruel to deal with the poor fellows In such u 
manner? 1 think It ought to be the rule among true sportsmen to have 
a little more humanity, and to kill a flsh In a quick way lustead of suf- 
focating them. But not only for humanity's sake should we kill oar 
table ash. The killed llsh Is a better flavored dish. A dead flsh which 
has been killed will have his mouth shut ; but, If he has died by being or Cincinnati, such an institution must be perfectly inde 
taken from Ms element and allowed to slowly suffocate, his mouth will | pendcnt of possib i e revenuea t0 ^ dcdv(?d fro * publi / ftlteud ; 
bo wide open. In some countries a dead n?h with open mouth Is con- 
sidered unmarketable. If you tblnk this question Important coough, I 
am snro to see something about it in your very valuable paper. 
Respectfully, CraS. Uokdbl. 
We are indebted to our correspondent for bringing this sub' 
ject so opportunely aud pertinently to the atteuliou of anglers 
and eaters of flsh. Its scope is wider than would casually ap- 
pear at first sight. The whole matter should cugnge the at- 
tention of our marketmen, fishermen, physicians, and makers 
of sanitary laws and regulations. Two years ago or more, we 
introduced these suggestions into our columns with reforma- 
tory purpose, but our effort was suffocated or nullified by tho 
Careless idiocy of the printers, who, being men of letters, aud 
having the whole English language at their fingers’ ends, arc 
prone to make nonsense of written utterances which thinkiug 
men are compelled to place at their mercy. We stated as a 
postulate, that “ fish will keep twice us lougby being killed by 
a blow on the head directly after being caught, than if left to 
die a natural death." Now., what does the artless reader who 
has so often complained to the editor about the mulilatiou of 
his manuscript and the perversion of his meauing, suppose the 
intelligent printer made us say ? Why— he told the public (in 
our behalf, as our spokesman, of course,) that “fish would LIVE 
twice as long if killed by a blow on the head when caught, as 
when left to die a natural death !" Fortunately the public 
were content to consider the solecism an intentional perpetra- 
tion, and newspapers so quoted it ; but the editor bus carried 
the clipping in his pocket ever since as a successful Hiberni- 
cism as well as a sample of the kind of weapons which Faust 
employs upon occasions in bis lilt with the Devil. 
Howsoever, our statement as originally made coutains a 
physiological fact which is worth considering from several 
points of view. Economically, it doubles the profits of fish- 
mongers, adds quantity to the larder, extends the beneficence 
of flsh food to interior localities doubly distant from the 
sources of supply, and may eveu save from starvation by giv 
iDga man respite; for if the fish keep twice ns long in condition 
for food, the man's lease of life is by so much extended, sup- 
posing the fish to be his only sustenance during the lime being 
With regard to the improved flavor of a killed fish, there can 
be no question ; while the appearance of a flsh decently com- 
posed aud laid out on the market slabs, with bis mouth 
closed, is seemly and conspicuous in contrast wilh one whose 
mouth is gaping and distorted. The same is true of any 
corpse of man or beast. BeiDg more attractive to the pur- 
chaser, the fi9h would certainly briDg u better price. Its tex- 
ture is firmer and its flesh harder. On the ground of humani- 
ty, let the appeal bo strong. As boys, we were taught that 
fish had no feeling, and we believed that what might be cru- 
elty to a dog was harmless pastime as respects fish. But au- 
topsy and science have proved our belief an error, and we dis- 
cover that contortions and gospings are evidences of pain aud 
distress, though we assume that their nervous system is com- 
paratively of a low order. That fishes have intelligence and 
can be taught ; that they have memory ; that they have dis- 
crimination and discernment ; that they possess the five senses, 
each to a great or small degree ; that they are to a limited ex- 
tent sentient and reasoning creatures— all these have become 
evident. If it Is a law of nature that all creatures shall pur- 
sue and prey upon each other, either for pleasure or profit, let 
us ameliorate the suffering of the pursuit. Let it not bo wan- 
ton and merciless. The heaals are not wanton. The cat toys 
with the tremulous mouse ; but the mouse, not positive that 
death is certain, and conscious that while there is life there is 
hope and possibility of escape, perchance enjoys the prolonged 
period of apprehension and the play of its own artifices to 
circumvent and extricate itself, just as gladiators in combat, 
or men at arms, are exhilarated by the dangers and despera- 
tion of the conflict, and are happy to carry off wounds and 
mutilations as trophies of prowess and evidences of great 
straits 1 If it is ordained to us that we are to derive sport 
from the prolonged apprehensions of the fish while hooked 
(not from his bodily pain, for the mere prick of the hook 
give9 little, and often none at all), then let us handle him mer- 
cifully after his torment begins, and it begins after he is with- 
drawn from his native element. If he is small, take him 
around the body and considerately rap the top of his head 
upon a stone or the thwart of the boat ; if large, rap his bead 
with a heavy stick j or, what is more genteel and to the point, 
pierce the cervical column at the base of the brain with a 
sharp knife. This produces paralysis and almost immediate 
death. It leaves the corpse in a shapely and seemly condition. 
Admiration of its unbattered beauty is added to the pleasure 
of capture, and your fish remains a proper subject for the 
market or the Btudio. Brother anglers ! learn to be humane. 
aoce. We arc quite of the opinion of the Secretary of tho 
Philadelphia society, that to remove the fortunes of a zoologi- 
cal collection from tho somewhat precarious condition which 
must always attend a support based entirely on receipts 
from admissious, a permanent fuud should he established, 
which, when securely invested, would derive such interest as 
coulif be applied to the maintenance of the society. Mr. 
Samuel cites the case of the London Zoological Garden, which 
derives a major part of its menus from the interest on be- 
piests and legacies. Tho geueral idea of the founders of a 
zoological society lias been so far, that from public patronage 
it could be made to be self-supporting. Quite the contrary is 
apparently tho fact. These data uro doiived not only from 
the experiences at home (which are somewhat limited it is 
truo), but certainly from foreign sources. 
Why should, then, zoologtcul societies he started differing in 
the least from public libraries.' The information from hooks 
and the study of animals both tend to public culture, und 
gifts for the maintenance of libraries ought to be equally 
given to zoological collections. Before, then, any zoological 
garden should be started in New York, ample funds must bo 
on hand, not only for the purehaso or the animals, tho laying 
out of the grounds, hut for maintenance. City appropriations 
are but precarious things. Political disturbances play sad 
havoc with private organizations.. Such a society ought to 
he certainly removed from farty thrulldom. Of course, as iu 
Philadelphia, the city authorities should be looked to for 
the ground of a zoological exhibition, and some small fund 
for maintenance might be expected, but we should boopposod 
to the receiving of a fee for admittance. Tho policy of our 
Park Commissioners has always been conceived in the widest 
spirit, and they have always held that tho grouud of the park 
belongs to every citizen iu Now York, uml that there is not a 
square inch of it over which a man had not a right to placo his 
foot without the payment of u cent. The quid pro quo for a 
certain portion of ground giveu by tho city Is returned by an 
association who fueniahes the buildings and the animals, aud 
attends to keeping grounds, houses and tho animals in good 
order. Such independence would prevent tho city authorities 
from imposing on the society any officera, such us of a 
superintendent who might be ignoraut of the hu-imiss con- 
fided to his care, for politics and zoology do not go together. 
We believe that if a society, as indicated by us, started 
squarely with the idea of having money enough to maintain 
their enterprise, such zoological gardens, either In Now York 
or Brooklyn, would ntkl immensely to the attractiveness of 
the pants, aud in on educational point of view would hoof un- 
told benefit to the people. 
• 
GAME PROTECTION. 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETIES. 
T HE recent report of the Zoological 8ociety of Philadel- 
phia, as furnished by John Samuel, Esq., their Secretary, 
is quite interesting at the present moment in view of the 
efforts now being made to start similar societies both in New 
York and Brooklyn. The report shows quite conclusively 
that although a zoological society may have its years of largo 
attendance, there may yet come seasons when the public, 
from stringent times, do not patronize such places of resort 
with the same liberality as in prior years Of course from all 
this question of attendance some mean can be arrived at which 
would represent fhe probable attendance in a series of say ten 
years. The upshot of all this is that for the proper maintenance 
of aDy zoological society, whether in New York, Philadelphia 
MEETINGS OF STATE ASSOCIATIONS 
FOR 1878. 
22 ( 1 . 
New York Stato Association for tho Protection of FIhIi and Qarao 
Buffalo, May — ; Sooty., John 11. Sago, Buffalo. 
Connecticut .State Sportsmen's Association, Hartford, May 16. 
Iowa State Sportsmen's Association, Dos Moines, May 2n. 
Nebraska Stato Sportsmen s Association, Fremont, May uist and 
d. 
National Sportsmen’s Association, Wdkosbarro, Pa., .Tuno 1 | 
Illinois State Hportsmeu’s Association, Quincy, Juno 11 • Seotv 
Geo. E. Wheeler. ’ *'• 
The Pennsylvania Stato Association for tho Protection of Gamo 
and Fish, Wilkosburre, Juno 11 ; Seely.. DunJ. F. Dowanco. 
Ohio Stato Sportsmen’s Association, Cincinnati, Juno 16 
Wiltbanli, Toledo. ’ 
Tennessee Stato Sportsmen’s Association, Naahvillo. Deo o 
Seot’y , Clark Pritchott, Nashville, Tuun. ' 
Wisconsin State Sportsmen's Association. 
Massachusetts Stato Sportsmen's Association, at call of Preside 
Missouri State Sportsmen's Association. uont 
New Yontc Association.— The Now York Association for 
the Protection of Game held its closing meeting lor the ecasom 
last evening. Complaints were mude of the presence of pond 
nets at Babylon, Long Island, in violation of the law, aud of 
the erection of nets aud slakes in Great South Huy, Long 
Island. The legal counsel of the association waa directed to 
take immediate uction iu the matter. After the transaction of 
considerable routine business the members were entertained 
at supper by Mr. Clinton Gilbert, lit whose residence, No. 20' 
West Tenth street, the meeting was held. 
Protection for Fish in South Carolina.— A fter thirteen* 
years’ endeavor to straighten out the politics of the State, time 
nnd opportunity have nt lust been fotiud to look after its 
ickthyc interests. The following fish law has been enacted,, 
and waa approved March 1 , 18 IS : 
An Act to Present Fishing with Nets in the Fresh Water- 
Streams of this State at Certain Seasons of the Year. 
Seo. 1 . Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre- 
sentatives of the State of South Carolina, now met and sittiog 
in General Assembly, and by the authority of the same, that 
it shall not be lawful for any person in the Counties of Marl- 
on, Horry, Darlington, Clarendon, Georgetown nnd Williams- 
burg to flsh wilh Dels and gigs or set traps In any of the fresh) 
water rivers, creeks or lakes in said counties between tho l/5th- 
day of April and the 1st day of September iu uny year here- 
after. 
oeo. 2. That any person violating the provisions of the 
foregoing section Hliall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor 
and upon conviction thereof by u court of competent juris- 
diction shall be fined in a sum of twenty dollars or imprisoned 
in the county jail for a period of thirty days. 
Sec. !i. This act shall take effect from and after its passage. 
Now, although the whole commonwealth docs not come 
within the provisions of the act, what has been done is im- 
portant. It is a proof that the people of South Caroliuu are 
ut last realizing that the supplies of fish in their livers and 
treams are not oxhaustless, and although it is late in taking a 
