242 
July 17 
collected before the hotel and cheered the team. The 
p.apers next morning read a .severe lesson to the Irish 
team men and their captain for want of diligence in 
practicing, and their lack of practice as a team, the 
Freeman's Journal saying, “IVe trust that the Irish 
will now make some effort to pull themselves together, 
and even at the eleventh hour do some work. If not, in- 
glorious disaster will await them, and while no one will 
grudge the Americans their laurels if they win them, 
it will be a great pity if the Irish do not, at the very 
least, make a good fight of it.” 
This feeling of impending disaster and defeat was 
still further intensified by the practice of the Irish team 
on the day following, ^lessrs. Wilson and McKenna 
had come down from Belfast, and the Irish six, con- 
sisting of Messrs. Wilson, McKenna, Pollock, Milner, 
Johnson and HamDton, worked together at the butts, 
and the report came that they had done poorlj-, and had 
been unable to meet the American scores, except at 1000 
yards. Even the visitors were exceptionally poor on 
Friday, but even here but two points advantage had 
been gained. !Memhers of the Irish team confessed 
themselves beaten, and were as much surprised and 
chagrined as any set of men could be. When they came 
over to America last fall they feU confident of victory, 
and said as much. The preliminary practice days in 
which on two occasions the American team defeated 
them, caused them to wilt, and finally defeat followed. 
But in the return match, after a sea voyage and the hos- 
pitalities of reception, they again felt confident of vic- 
tory, and again the Americans knocked the prop from 
under their feet by running off bigger and bigger scores. 
The tactics were repeated in every particular, confi- 
dence on the one side was met by hard work and suc- 
cess on the other. Whether the same result will follow 
at this writing cannot be foretold. But an interesting 
conflict must result. The character of the daj’ will in a 
great measure determine the victorj', but the opinion 
which was well founded Jast fall, that a stiff wind 
would be fatal to American success, has no foundation 
now. The merits of the men are as near equal as per- 
sonalities can be, and ever}' thing augurs a fair fight 
and free field. The effect of the brilliant score made 
by the Americans at their practice was so great that 
Captain Leech, of the Irish team, thought it proper to 
issue the following card, which looks very much as 
though he were crying before he was hurt. It was 
on the eve of Saturday when he had been spending tbe 
day on the range with his men and withonlj' indifferent 
success. The letter was published in several of the 
morning papers as follows: 
;MorriSox’s Hotel, June 2G. 
Sir, — I am anxious to allay the fears of some of my 
fellow countrymen who have thought it necessary to 
address me personally in reference to the forthcoming 
International Rifle Match, and as to the care that has 
been exercised in the preparations for it. I beg to say 
most emphatically that the team to represent Ireland 
on the 29th inst. is the strongest that can be put in the 
field. In arranging tbe preliminary competitions, 
which have extended over the last two months, I ac e<l 
with the advice of those most competent to form a sound 
opinion on such subjects. Tbe Irish public may rest 
assured that the gentlemen composing the Irish team 
will be true to themselves, and it is but justice to them, 
considering the sacrifices they have made, to add that 
they have lost no opportunity of fitting themselves for 
what they regard as a national responsibility. I am 
proud to say I have discharged my duty so far to their 
satisfaction. I also take occasion to ask those who in- 
tend to witness this trial of skill to kindly keep silent 
during the match, as any expres.sion of feeling must ma- 
terially influence the result of the shooting, not only of 
our own men but of our excellent friends the Americans, 
and I am resolved that there shall be a fair field and no 
favor. 
Arthur B. Leech, 
Captain of the Irish Team. 
On Saturday evening one of the most distinguished 
honors which could be offered to the American team in 
the city of Dublin was given in the dinner of the Fel- 
lows of Tnnit)' College. This is an honor tendered 
heretofore only to Royalty,and its extension to the Ameri- 
cans was as much a source of pleasure to the Irish Re- 
ception Committee as to the visitors. The affair was 
the most select yet given, but seventy-five plates were 
set and seventy-five invitations sent out. There was 
blit one absentee, and his a case of illness. It was an 
honor not to be lightly declined by any one. At 7.15 
the American gentlemen left their hotel, proceeding in 
true democratic style afoot to the college, where they 
were received bj' the Provost, and by him conducted 
to the Commons Hall, where the banquet was spread. 
The table shone with silver in all forms. The cups 
which had been won by Trinity nerve and skill at boat 
ing and cricket were present on exhibition, and the ser- 
vice of silver, much ot it over 100 years old, was a rare 
sight. This exceptional honor to the Americanslif due 
justice was done, should be placed to the credit of the 
correspondent of the leading Lish metropolitan paper, 
who, on his visit to America with the team last fall, 
wrote home such glowing accounts of the receptions and 
honor everywhere accorded to the Irish team, that Irish 
pride and hospitalitywas touched. It was determined to 
return the honor with interest, and as an extra special 
favor the Trinity College Corporation determined to do 
its best in tlfe wa}' of hospitality; but for Mr. Lefroy, 
the gentleman correspondent in question, this famous 
dinner would have been untasted. The eating was 
superb in its preparation and servir^; while the wines 
served, too, in the Commons Hall, in contravention of 
previous usage, were exceptional in their age and rich- 
ness, and the singing, which in a great measure took the 
place of speech-making, was a fine effort of male voices. 
The following were the list of guests: 
The Lord Mayor and the Lord Chief Justice, who sat 
on each side of the Provost; Dr. Hart, the Hon. Judge 
Mullm, Rev. Thomas Stack, the High Sheriff, Rov. J. 
H. Jellett, Lord Mayor of York, Rev. Dr. Malet, Aider- 
man Cole, of Xew York; Rev. Dr. Longfield, Rev. Dr. 
Stubbs, Major-General Dakin, of Yew York; Dr. In- 
gram, Major-General Johnson, Major Arthur, Rev. 
Richard Townsend, Sir Bernard Burke, Major Leech, 
Colonel Gildersleeve, the Bursar of Trinity College, 
Rev. J. W, Barlow, Col. Knox, Rev. Thomas T. Gray, 
Lieut. Col. Mitchell, 3[r. R Y. Tyriell, Major Fulton, 
Dr. Traill, Dr. J. B. Hamilton, Jlr. B. Williamson, IMr. 
Bird, Rev. John Leslie, Mr. M’Kenna, !Mr. Panton, !Mr. 
Milner, Mr. Pollock, Mr. Rigby, Jlr. Ballard, Sir. Can- 
field, Mr. Lefroy, Mr. Whitley, -Mr. P. Hayes, 3Ir. Yeo, 
Mr. Hemsley, Dr . Peele, Dr. Waller, the American Con- 
sul, !Mr. W. L. Barrington, Rev. Dr. Dickson, Colonel 
Bodine, Mr. Arthur Palmer, Major Holland, Dr. Shaw, 
Mr. Coleman, Dr. Tarleton, Captain Bruce, Mr. Cath- 
cart, Mr. Kerr, M. W. S. Burnside, Mr. Yale, Mr. 
M’Cay, Mr. Coughtry, Mr, E. Johnson, Mr. Doyle, !Mr. 
Mr. AVilson, Mr. O’Rourke, Mr. King, Mr. R. AV. 
Smith, Air Mullen, Air. Reeves, Dr. Xedley, Air. AI. An- 
gelo Hayes, Sir Robert Stewart, Rev. Dr. Haughton, 
Dr. Alaunsell. 
The Provost set the example of toast offering by pro- 
posing the health of "The Queen,” Dr. Peele respond- 
ing in the National Anthem, and followed it close by 
proposing the toast of the “President of the United 
States.” 
This toast was warmly received, and several gentle- 
men, distinguished in the musical world, accompanied 
by Sir Robert Stewart, sang the following song ar- 
ranged by that eminent maestro, to the air of the “Star- 
spangled Banner,” the spirited words by the gifted poet. 
Dr. Waller, especially composed for the occasion: 
THE LAXD or THE WEST. 
(Air— "The Star-gpangled Banner.”) 
When the Jons of Old England, in ages gone by. 
For the freedom denied them, their country forsaking. 
Sought a horn* in tbe regions that far-away lie, 
^ Where the waves of the wide W estem Ocean are breaking; 
True-hearted and brave, thej- crossed over the wave. 
For the son of the Saxon can ne'er be a slave, 
Ziew altars they raised, and new homesteads of rest. 
And Xew England arose in the Land of the W est. 
Then onr people waxed mighty and spread o’er the land. 
And the banner of Britain waved proudly above it; 
By Freedom "twas planted— by Liberty fanned, 
And sires taught their children to honor and love it. 
Ever loyal and true to the Old Land, the New 
In love and allegiance to Britain, they grew. 
And the old Mother country they honored the best. 
And clung to her stiU from their home in the West. 
But the child of the W est in due time grew a man. 
And chafed at the old Mother's over-sharp schooling. 
Till he rose ’gainst the rod and in earnest began 
To feel it was time he should take to self -ruling. 
So the over-grown child would no more be beguiled. 
If the old Mother frowned or the old Mother smiled. 
For the blood of his sires filled with courage his breast. 
And he swore he'd be free in his Land of the West. 
How glorious the struggle let history tell 
When Columbia arose in her strong indignation — 
How her Washington fought, and her patriots fell. 
Till she won her just rights and stood forth a lyee Nation! 
Oh! long may she be a land mighty and free. 
With Britain united in fast amity! 
At peace tvith mankind, with prosperity blest. 
May her “Star-spangled Banner” wave over the West! 
The Lord Ala}'or of Dublin follotved in proposing 
the bealth of tbe Provost of the College, and paid a 
well merited compliment to its success as an honor to 
Dublin. The following was sung, with words and 
music composed especiallj' for this occasion by Dr. 
AA’allerand Sir Robert Stewart: 
Two thousand miles of ocean wave 
In billows roll from shore to shore; 
Westward in clond and storm they rave 
Columbia's points and headlands o'er, 
Or her calm bays gold-stranded lave: 
Eastward they break in thundering roar 
On green leme's crests of rock, 
And Albion's points that feailess meet the shock, 
Brothers, join us while we raise 
From East to West a song ot pr^e. 
Four hundred years have well nigh passed 
Since the bold-hearted Genoese 
Dis life upon the reniure cast 
To navigate these unknou*n eeas; 
Still wending westward, till at last. 
Blooming in verdure, bowered in trees, 
' A New World breaks upon his sight 
In tropic glory of antumnal light. 
Brothers, join ns while we raise 
From East to West a song of praise. 
What reck we now of space and time, 
As on a highway, safe and fast. 
That sea we cross from either clime. 
On throbbing wings of vapor blast; 
And Scietce, with her power sublime. 
The dreams of poets has surpassed. 
Her fiery steeds tUe seas pant o'er, 
And tODgnesof lightnin? speak from shore to shore. 
Brothers, join ns while we raise 
Fr^m East to W est a song of praise. 
O! Brothers of that glorious West, 
Young giants of a late-born land! 
In blood, in race, in ali things best, 
Onr brothers true — we reach the hand 
Of loving welcome, while we test 
Your skill, and willing rivals staud. 
S^o nobler rival we desire. 
Than children suning from Celt or Saxon sire. 
Brethren, join ns while we raise 
From East to West a song of praise. 
Chief Justice AA'biteside of Ireland toastedjbe Univer- 
sity, and coupled it with the name of Dr. Houghton, 
who had been keeping the croupiers end of the table in 
a roar of laughter from tbe opening of the dinner. He 
responded in a regular Irish speech utterly unreportable, 
witty and sparkling. His collegiate gown and minis- 
terial habit being in marked contrast with his merry run 
of talk. The toasts of tbe Ameiican bar responded to 
by J udge Aliller, and tbe American team proposed by 
Dr. Sbaw and replied to by Col. Gildersleeve in Lis 
usual speech of t:iaak3, was followed by the third regu- 
lar song of tbe evening, sung as a solo, as follows: 
WELCOME BROTHEItS, FROM THE WEST. 
(Air—"' Hail Columbia.”) 
Welcome, brothers from the tVest, 
Brothers whom we love the best ; 
The blood that courses through your veins 
Flowed long ago from British sires, 
And still we love onr bosom fires. 
What, though a mighty ocean raves 
'Gainst either shore in angry waves, 
Nor angry waves nor adverse tide 
Fraternal hearts caa e'er divide. 
StiU united let us be 
tVhile we vie in rivalry. 
Which with heart and band. 
S hall honor most their Fatherland! 
Brothers, seas no more divide. 
Science n-ith her giant stride 
Can traverse, with her vapour-steed, 
That mighty sea from shore to shore. 
And make our brotherhood tbe more. 
So may we meet each coming year, 
So may onr hearts grow stiU more near, 
WhUe StiU our rivalry shaU be 
StiU nnited let ns be. 
While we vie in rivalry. 
Which, \Ath heart and hand, 
Shall honor most his Fateerlaud! 
In the reading-room after tbe dinner coffee and con- 
versation filled out the time until midnight, and as the 
Sabbath came in the company got out, though some of 
the non-shooters filled out tbe night at the clubs until 
three o’clock. Tbe dinner was pronounced by the most 
experienced of tbe convites a success among successes. 
Tbe immediate credit of tbe banquet was due to Rev. 
Dr. Carson, tbe bursar, and Rev. Dr. Hougbton, wbo 
attended to tbe arrangement of guests, etc. 
Sunday was a dull day, raining with persistency from 
morn till nigbt. Tbe riflemen stayed at borne, lounged 
about, but evidently ibougbt they bad done enough 
when they bad kept their powder drj-, and did not sig- 
nify their trust in Providence by attending church. 
The last instructions were given, and tbe parting words 
of warning conveyed, and all rested over Alonday for 
tbe battle of Tuesday. Tbe Irish team, or a portion of 
them, went down for work at tbe range on Monday, 
t 
