FORESTLAND? STREAM. 
347 
owners of the American team consent to run In England we w gladly 
pay-expenses, and In this case a well known sportsman and master of 
ox Hounds, Sir WatklnWm- Wynn, of Wynnstay.^wlll lend tHe reqolslto 
ground and game. I should propose that a double match, brace against 
Krace should first be run off, then two single matches to follow. I 
would suggest as the English judge the name of Visconut Combennere, 
a well knowu arbitrator at field trials, and a renowned sportsman. 
Also the 18th and nth of AuguBt next as the date for running on the 
match, and, if preferred, two brace from cacU oountry can take part In 
It. your obedient, servant, K. L. Pmos. 
Following the publication of this letter, and pending the ac- 
ceptance of the international challenge, all means were em- 
ployed by Capt. Taylor to acquaint our sportsmen with the 
rules governing Held trials in Eagland, and to inform them of 
the qualifications of dogs and the requisites for performance 
in the field ; scales of points were published by which their 
merits could bo rated, here or there, (in America or England;) 
and preliminary details were arranged with greatest care. 
Finally, he sketched the English Kennel Club, defining its ob- 
jects and duties, and urged (Feb. 5, 1874, F. & 8., Vol. I, p. 
409) the sportsmen of America to form in New York an or- 
ganization similar to it. The article referred to says : “We 
have been in correspondence with several prominent gentle- 
men, owners of sportsmen’s dogs, as to making the prelimi- 
nary arrangements, and we have their entire support as to 
the founding of just such a kennel club in this country.” 
From what has been stated it will be seen that Forest and 
Stream, through its kennel editor, not only introduced Field 
Trials and Bench Shows into America, but laid the founda- 
tion of its first Kennel Club. We respectfully refer owners 
and trainers of dogs to these editorial articles for many valua- 
ble suggestions. 
Unfortunately the International Field Trial never took 
place, although it was everywhere regarded with the greatest 
interest, many entries being conditionally made, and passages 
actually provided for two brace of dogs by the Williams & 
Guion steamship line, either way ; it failed, simply because i 
was impossible to reconcde the English rules of merit with 
our own ideas of a dog’s field qualities— they allowing no 
points whatever for retrieving, while we claimed fifteen. The 
whole difficulty. of adjustment arose from the fact of the 
character of the ground hunted over in the two countries re- 
quiring different qualities ; the English also making a great 
point of “ dropping,” while we consider it of no account, pre- 
ferring to see our dogs and know where they are, which 
would be impossible in our tall prairie grass and native cover 
if they practiced the habit. 
Meanwhile, before it became conclusive that there was to 
be no international field trial, Capt. Taylor published (April 
9th, 1874) a code of regulations to govern Field Trials in 
America, which he submited, through the columns of Forest 
and Stream, to the various State Sportsmen’s Association a 
whose Conventions were announced to occur in the following 
months of May and June, hoping that they would order a 
preliminary trial in the fall and so designate the times of hold- 
ing their conventions of the year following, as to permit of field 
trials being held at such times under their auspices. He also 
prepared a scale of points to suit American bred setters, (the 
value of which is apparent,) and began (June 4) to republish 
from English authority a series of articles giving the points by 
which every variety of dog is judged on the Show Bench in 
England. This important work accomplished, he devoted 
himself through the columns of this paper to bettering the 
blood of dogs. The best native strains, like the Webster 
and Gildersleeve (northern and southern), were traced out ; 
and it was believed that by engrafting and crossing these with 
the best imported blood the desideratum would be secured. 
Then followed discussion of the merits of all breeds, Irish, 
Gordon, Lavcrack, English, etc., by writers on both sides of 
the Atlantic. On June 14, 1874, Capt. Taylor imported for 
Chas. H. Raymond, Esq., the two celebrated Laveracks, 
the first ever brought to America with the exception 
of Dr. Gautier’s dog imported two years previously. 
About the same time the Macdona dogs, Kirby and 
Milo, came over to Dr. Rowe, through Capt. Taylor, and 
also the Ranger pup Venus and the bitch Brosna, in whelp by 
Ranger, to the same gentleman. Other valued stock suc- 
ceeded. Then pedigrees began to be asked for and scrutinized, 
and purchasers gradually became more particular, until now 
a dog without a record is no dog at all. A stuffed defunct 
dog will bring more money at a sale. 
We have made this cursory sketch of what may be called the 
“Dog's Rise and Progress’’ in America for several reasons. 1st. 
Because it is news to three-fourths of our readers; 2d. To 
show what an important part the Forest and Stream and its 
whilom Kennel Editor have played in bringing the dog to its 
present reputation ; and 3d. To preserve this instrumentality 
from oblivion, and hold our claim good against denials of what 
became a matter of record so long ago that priority and prece- 
dence are looked upon by unprincipled men as merely a lease 
expired and not a right guaranteed. On May 7, 1874, we pre- 
dicted that field trials would eventually become as popular in 
this country as they were abroad at that time, and we believe 
that they will, although the initiatory step taken by Tennessee 
in October, 1874, has not been so frequently repeated os to 
amount to a complete fulfillment of the prophecy. The same 
cannot be said of bench shows. The first American bench 
show was held at Chicago, June 2, 1874, under the auspices 
of the Illinois State Sportsman’s Association. Those at Mem- 
phis and Mineola, L. I., followed in October, and since then 
they have multiplied until their name is a noun of multitude. 
The first plan of awards over devised for bench shows in Ameri^ 
was published in the Forest and Stream in January, 1870. 
In the fall of 1874, while on a tour through the West with 
the Irish Team, the desirability of establishing a mileage 
system of dog transportation on railroads was advocated by us, 
and in the January following (1875), the Missouri, Kansas 
and Texas road took the initiative. 
Keeping pace with the requirements of sportsmen as 
they developed, we instituted a Kennel Register, In Febru- 
ary, 1870, for the registration of pedigrees. Subse- 
quently (1) the Chicago Field opened a competitive 
register. Then (2) a National Kennel Club, of seven 
self-appointed delegates, was formed, of .which the editor of 
the Field was made President. Next (3), in February, 1877, 
a year afterward, the National Kennel Club announced that it 
was “about to take immediate steps toward publishing a 
Kennel Club Stud Book ;” that (4) it was prejudicial to the 
interests of dogs to publish two stud books ; and (5) as the 
N. K. C. stud book would necessarily be considered the 
authority, ours (0) would make confusion and dissatisfaction; 
therefore (7), for the Bake qf harmony, it was desirable that 
the Forest and Stream and the Chicago paper should both 
turn over their lists to the clubs to manipulate, possess and 
publish. We acceded— for the simple reason that our Register 
would not be perfect, if any portiou of the pedigrees entered 
in the Chicago Field should be withheld, and we knew that 
they would be. Having turned over and dispossessed our- 
selves of our hard-earned and accumulated property, the loss 
of which has placed us at a great disadvantage ever since, 
the Kennel Club placed the work in the hands of Mr. Arnold 
Burges (the kennel editor of the Chicago Field!) to 
edit. This was the final move on the board. The 
confidence game worked to a charm, and Dr. Rowe 
euchered us with a natural point in our hand I Jockeys will 
admire the smartness. The fraternity of sportsmen ought to 
deprecate a measure which has already kept the Register from 
publication and delivery for more than a year. 
Had this book been issued within a reasonable time we 
would have kept silent and swallowed our chagrin ; os it is, 
we take this opportunity to show the cause of our apparent 
delinquency, in hope that any who may have judged us blame- 
worthy will acquit us. In the main, our efforts in behalf of 
sportsmen have been successful. If thoy have ever failed, it 
has been because they have been defeated by direct instrument- 
alities like this, prompted by jealousy or business rivalry. 
Prestige or honor, we verily believe, do not attach to such 
methods of circumvention. 
Since Capt. Taylor took up his residence in Virginia, he 
has sent to Forest and Stream many useful suggestions. 
His last one was, to have a scries of Eastern Field Trials in 
the fall. It has been taken up by the Baltimore Kennel Club, 
and the event will come off soon after Capt. Taylor’B return 
from England. No doubt the Captain will make the informa- 
tion which he gains abroad most useful in its practical appli- 
cation here. By comparative analysis he will be able to elimi- 
nate what is bad and add what is desirable to our own cate- 
gory. 9 
TRIBUTE TO FRANK FORESTER. 
In the last issue of Forest and Stream I observed and read 
with much interest a fine tribute to the worth of that inspired 
genius, “ Frank Forester," now, alas ! gone to the “shadow 
land,” and wish to thank “ Gellert ” for the melancholy 
pleasure I have taken in the perusal of his reminiscences of 
one endeared by tenderest ties to every true American sports- 
man. There is, however, one slight error in the kindly 
tribute of “Gellert” which I desire to correct. In his last 
touching and plaintive letter to the press of America, written 
just previous to his tragic death, (and with which, I think, 
most of our native sportsmen are familiar, as it is embodied in 
the later editions of Forester’s incomparable “ Field Sports,'* 
in a beautiful memoir by a personal friend of the lamented 
author), Herbert did not, os misquoted by “Gellert,” remark : 
“You will miss me when I am gone.” Ah, no ! his mood was 
too melancholy, too hopeless and forlorn to pen such a remark. 
There is indeed but a change of one word in that sentence, but 
what a wide difference that slight error gives to the sense of 
the remark. Poor Herbert remarked : “ Few will miss me 
oihen I am gone ; probably none lament me— so be it, only I im- 
plore you do not misrepresent and malign me. ’’ (The italics are 
my own.) This will serve to show how utterly crushed and 
broken was the naturally proud spirit of “our Frank,” as he 
is still lovingly and tenderly known, in memory, by the fra- 
ternity of which he was, while living, the acknowledged 
leader. There is little doubt that poor Herbert had become 
upon the subject of hi9 domestic woe9, a monomaniac, other- 
wise he could never have rashly destroyed his own life. His 
deep and pitiful despair speaks out in mute but touching 
language through every sentence in the few last letters to 
those dear friends, I. Anson, Kinney, Anthon, as well as in his 
epistle to the press and note to the coroner. All bespeak a spirit 
wholly and irrevocably crushed by overwhelming sorrow, 
whence he was plunged from the very pinnacle of happiness, 
as it were, having three months previously wedded a young 
and beautiful wife, the cause (unintentional, let us hopo, on 
her part) of his premature death. 
To leave a melancholy topic: it may not be generally known 
that Frank Forester’s genius as a poet was deemed by many 
equal, if not superior, to his brilliancy as a prose writer. The 
three stanzas quoted in the department of “ Field Sports ” 
devoted to Autumn Shooting, wherein ho alludes to the 
season as “the time of year the poor balladmonger (Herbert), 
above quoted, has, perhaps, labored to depict,” is a fine speic 
men of the author’s genius in poetry; though, in truth, all the 
productions of his pen, whether prose or verso, have the true 
ring and seutiment of real poetry, not cramped or trammeled 
by mere jingling rhimes and raeasuro, but genuine Boni-stir- 
ring poetry in the actual sense of that term, und this quota- 
tion, referred to in his “ Field Sports ” occurs originally in 
his beautiful poem, “ Jauo Mclthea,” one of a series written 
by Herbert under the running title of " Ballads of the Ameri- 
can Revolution." A very fine poem, entitled “ The Hawk lug 
Party," Is worthy in dash and spirit to be the production of 
the grand sportsman-bard-Sir Walter Scott-was published 
from the pen of Herbert, in an early number of “Graham’s 
Magazine. I might, perhaps, did space permit, quote a few 
verses from his more pretentious poetic productions, but hav- 
ing drawn my humble Jottings out to a greater length than 
anticipated, will close for the time, and beg leave to subscribe 
myself as ever, 1 bine fraternally, Will Wildwood. 
J. O. Whitney.— We regret to announce the death, at the 
early age of twenty-five years, of Mr. J. O. Whitney, the 
editor of the St. Augustine Florida Pre»s. As a newspaper 
man Mr- Whitney was widely known In Florida and the 
Southern 8tates. Ho was a frequent and valued contributor 
to this journal, and to his uniform courtesy wc have been in 
past years indebted for many substantial services at the South. 
Exodrsion to Labrador.— The summer excursiou to Lab- 
rador, under the care of Mr. M. M. Chick, 41 Franklin st. , 
Boston, leaves that city about the flth of July. The party 
sail in a fast clipper schooner, and are to bo abscut duri ng the 
heated term. The scenery, cool climate and the rare sport 
offer strong inducements to recreation seekers. Mr. Chick has 
conducted similar excursions before, the one of last year prov- 
ing a most pleasant trip. Naturalists, photographers, sports- 
men and pleasure seekers make up the present party. There 
is room for a few more, as the number is not quite full. 
GAME PROTECTION. 
MEETINGS OF STATE ASSOCIATIONS 
FOR 1878. 
National Sportsmen’s Association, Wilkesbarre, Pa., Juno 1L 
niinois Stato 8portsmon'a Association, Qninoy, Juno 11 ; Seclv 
Geo. E. Wheolor, 4 
The Pennsylvania Slate ABsoolatiou for tho Protection of Qamo 
and Fish, Wilkesbarro, Juno 11 ; Sooty.. BonJ. F. Dorranco. 
Ohio 8tate Sportsmen’s Association, Cincinnati, Juno 16 Seotv 
Wilt bank, Toledo. r 
Tennessee 8tate Bportstuon's Association, Naslmllo, Doo 2 
8eot'y., Clark Pritohett, Naslivillo, Tonn. 
Wisconsin Stato Sportsmen's Association. 
Massachusetts 8tate Sportsmou’s Association, at call of Prosidon 
Missouri State Sportsmen's Association. 
National Sportsman's Association.— The Beginning.— 
We have before us a rather soiled sheet of printing paper, 
written with lead pencil, which recalls to miud the origin of 
the National Sportsman’s Association. This paper is tho first 
rough draft, in the handwriting of T. C. Banks, Esq., now 
the efficient business manager of Forest and Stream and 
Rod and Gun. Tho annual convention of this important 
body will take place at Wilkesbarre, Pa., on the lltli iostaut. 
It is most essential that its working forces should be strength- 
ened and its vitality stimulated. State Associations which 
are to meet this mouth, and those to follow, should not fail to 
appoint delegates to the next National Convention who will 
pledge themselves to attend and promote its praiseworthy ob- 
jects. Its usefulness will be commensurate with the efforts 
to make it useful. 
Moose in the Adriondacks.— A two-years-old bull-moose 
has been received at the park of the Adrioudacks Hunting 
and Fishing Club, in Essex County. 
Iowa State Association.—' The lost annual convention 
met at Dea Moines, May 28, and three days following. The 
following clubs were represented : Des Moines Bp< rtsmen 
Club, Marshalltown Shooting Club, Atlantic Gun Club, Mis- 
souri Valley Gun Club, Keosauqua Sportsmen Club, Frankliu 
County Audubon Club, Council Bluffs Sportsmen Club, Cen- 
tennial Sportsmen Club, Gato City Sporting Club, 
Burlington Sportsmen Association and Creston Sports'- 
men Association. Several interesting pupers were read 
before tbe association, among tbcm one by Mr. Miller on the 
Iowa Game Law. The officers for the ensuing year are • 
Pres., L. L. De Lano ; First Vice-Pros., H. W. Sraythc Sec- 
ond Vice- Pres.. W. C. Ellis; Rcc. Sic., I). C. Beaman ; Cor. 
Sec., Samuel Lowe; Trcus., G. W. Ogilvie. Hoard of Di- 
rectors— J. C. Hoffmayer, E. A. Abbott, It. II. Taylor, Geo. 
C. Henry and Geo. Waddington. As Law Committee— J. I,. 
Williams, E. J. Ingersoll and B. F. Montgomery. The next 
convention will be held at Marshalltown, on the third Tues- 
day of May, 1879. 
Massachusetts — Boston, May 31. — Itifle gallery, 655 
Washington street. Three beat scores for threo prizes ; eight 
shots per man : ** 
J E Harris 5 5 6 6 6 6 4 6—30 J C'OWQn 6 6 4 4 4 4 4 r— S 5 
F UolllS 4 8 6 4 6 6 4 6-31 K B, 
Connecticut— Willowbrook, May 25, 1878.— The first fort- 
nightly competition for prizes offered by the Connecticut 
Rifle Association. The attendance was good, though on ac- 
count of a shower of rain in the midst of the shooting 
8averal withdrew before tinieluug their scores. C. O. Case’ 
New Britain, wa9 tho winner of the long-range match • w' 
H. Binns, Hartford, of the mid-range, Remington prize • 
Jas. Johnson, New Britain, of the all-comere’ match 200 
