FOREST AND STREAM. 


























A WEEKLY JOURNAL, 
DEVOTED TO FIELD AND AQUATIC SPoRTS, PRACTICAL NATURAL HISTORY, 
Fish CULTURE, THE PROTECTION OF GAME, PRESRVATION OF FORESTS, 
AND THE INCULCATION IN MEN AND WOMEN OF A HEALTHY INTERFST 
IN Ovuz-L20R RECREATION AND STUDY: 
PUBLISHED BY 
Forest and Stream Publishing Company, 
——AT 
103 FULTON STREET, NEW YORK. 

——_+>_———. 
Terms, Five Dollars a Year, Strictly in Advance. 
pected On 
A discount of twenty percent. for five copies and upwards. Any person 
sending us two subscriptions and Ten Dollars will receive a copy of 
Hallock’s ‘‘ Fisnine Tourist,’ postage free. 
Ao 
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In regular advertising columns, nonpareil type, 12lines to the inch, 25 
cents per line. Advertisements on outside page, 40 cents perline. Reading 
notices, 50 cents per line. Advertisements in double column 25 per cent. 
extra, Where advertisements are inserted over 1 month, a discount of 
10 per cent. will be made; over three months, 20 per cent; over six 
months, 30 per cent. 


NEW YORK, THURSDAY, OCT. 2, 1873. 




To Correspondents. 
———__>—_—_—_ 
All communications whatever, whether relating to business or literary 
correspondence, must be addressed to THe Forest AND STREAM PUB- 
LISHING ComPANY. Personal letters only, to the Manager. 
All communications intended for publication must be accompanied with 
real name, as a guaranty of good faith. Names will not be published if 
objection be made. No anonymous contributions will be regarded. 
Articles relating to any topic within the scope of this paper are solicited. 
We cannot promise to return rejected manuscripts. 
Ladies are especially invited to use our columns, which will be pre- 
pared witk - areful reference to their perusal and instruction. 
Secretaries of Clubs and Associations are urged to favor us with brief 
notes of their movements and transactions, as it is the aim of this paper 
to become » medium of useful and reliable information between gentle- 
men sportsmen from one end of the country to the other; and they will 
find our columns a desirable medium for advertising announcements. 
The Publishers of Forest AnD STREAM aim to merit and secure the 
patronage and countenance of that portion of the community whose re- 
fined intelligence enables them to properly appreciate and enjoy all that 
is beautiful in Nature. It will pander to no depraved tastes, nor pervert 
. the legitimate sports of land and water to those base uses which always 
send to make them unpopular with the virtuous and good. No advertise- 
ment or business notice of an immoral character will be received on any 
terms; and nothing will be admitted to any department of the paper that 
may not be read with propriety in the home circle. 
We cannot be responsible for the dereliction of the mail service, if 
money remitted to us is lost. 
This paper sent gratuitously to all contributors. 
Advertisements should be sent in by Saturday of each week, if possible. 
CHARLES HALLOCK, 
Managing Editor. 
nee —eEee 
Calendar of Events for the Current Week. 
arte eee 
¥rimay, October 3.—Single Scull Race, Dendee Lake, Paterson, New 
Jersey....Dexter Park Club, Chicago, Illinois....Deerfoot Park, Park- 
ville, L. I....New York Yacht Squadron’s fall Regatta....Southern Pu- 
eblo Fair, Colorado. 
SaTuRDAY, October 4.—New York Yacht Squadron’s races.... Fall 
games Athletic Club, foot of 130th street, Harlem... Boat Clubs, foot of 
434th street, Harlem....Jerome Park races. 
Monpay, October 6.—Missouri Fair, St. Lonis, Missouri....Oregon 
Fair, Salem....New York Yacht Squadron’s match. 
TuEsDAY, October 7.—Eastern Duchess Association, Armenia, New 
York.... Pittsburg Driving Park, Penn....St. Louis Fair Association, 
Missouri ... National Amateur Regatta, Philadelphia. ... Watertown River 
Association, Watertown, New York....New York Yacht Squadron’s 
match....Nort> Carolina Central Fair, Henderson, N. C.... North Caro- 
lina Western — air, Salisbury, N. C.... Eastern Tennessee Fair, Knox- 
ville, Tenn.... Virginia and North Carolina Fair, Norfolk, Va. 
WEDNESDAY, October 8.—Brooklyn Yacht Club regatta.... Yates Coun- 
ty Fair, Dundee Union, N. Y....Eastern Duchess Association, Armenia, 
N. Y....Pittsburg Driving Park... Jerome Park races....Watertown 
River Association. Watertown, N. Y. 
TuuRspay, October 9.—New York Yacht Squadron’s races....Chilli- 
cothe Horse Fair, Ohio.... Pittsburg Driving Park, Penn....St. Louis 
State Fair, Missouri.... Watertown River Association, Watertown, New 
York.... Eastern Duchess Association, Armenia, N. Y. 



ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. 
weld rel Bee 
E can make no more becoming use of our columns than 
to express through them our keenest appreciation of 
the encouragement and assurances of success which we daily 
receive by every mail, and especially of the valuable con- 
tributions that have been furnished for publication by many 
eminent sportsmen and naturalists, and by other gentlemen 
cf high culture and position, who aver that they have never 
berore written for papers that might be classified with 
sporting journals. This voluntary and earnest support is 
the bes’ guaranty that the ForEsT AND STREAM must pre- 
sently avcain that high standard of excellence and chayacter 
which it aspires to, and which the respectability and critical 
judgment of the country demand. This paper is not simply 
an er nation from the office at which it is published, but it 
is in reality a compendium of information and thought 
contributed by the three score of intelligent writers whose 
services and sympathy it has already enlisted. There need 
be no apprehension, therefore, of its ultimate ability to 
secure recognition among the leading literary journals, and 
a permanent foothold in educated and respectable circles. 
Whether it is to be a pecuniary success, is another and 
serious question. From the circumstances of the case, it 
must be apparent to all its readers that the class of people 
among whom it must necessarily circulate is comparatively 
limited. Our mail subscribers, with few exceptions, are 
men of wealth and high social standing. What the charac- 
te: of its support from the news stands is, can only be in- 
erred; but we feel that it is not from the masses. 
Now, it i- within the ability of the manager of this paper 
to ‘‘run” 1 indefinitely as a pastime upon his own private 
resources; but this is not generally the motive among jour- 
nalists, and we submit to our numerous friends, that the 
“laborer is worthy of his hire,” and that to depend upon 
mere approval as a reward of constant and wearing effort is 
not altogether encouraging. Good words make indifferent 
butter for parsnips. So those say who ought to know; and 
while we are grateful, as we have already said, for words 
of encouragement, we feel that we are not presumptuous in 
asking our friends for something more substantial. If each 
present subscriber will merely jog his neighbor’s elbow, 
our circulation will double in a week; and if gentlemen 
who are in the habit of comfortably reading the Clud’s paper 
free of expense at their sumptuous dinners at the refectory, 
will think it worth while to remit the price of a subscrip: 
tion, we assure them that the bound volume at the end «f 
the year will more than repay the investment as a work of 
reference. 
We are aware that these remarks involve a tacit admission 
of weakness; yet this weakness is only relative, for our 
success thus far exceeds the most sanguine expectations 
and the ordinary experience of journalists. Our expenses 
are necessarily large at the outset, and our receipts are na_ 
turally curtailed by the existing monetary troubles. Never- 
theless, we ‘‘mean business,” and as an earnest of our 
intention and effort to make the ForEsT AND STREAM 
worthy of the patronage it seeks, we herewith announce 
with pleasure that we have this week added Prof. Elliott 
Coues, M. D., of the Smithsonian Institute, to our corps of 
paid associates, with a proprietary interest in the concern, 
and that the effect of this valuable acquisition will soon be 
felt; and if we cannot make an acceptable paper with our 
present force, we will solicit still more distinguished and 
valuable aid. 
We cannot too strongly express our thanks to the news- 
paper press throughout the country for their kind and dis- 
interested notices of this journal, and feel happy to have 
merited such general and unqualified approval. 
ee 
METAPHYSICS OF DEER HUNTING. 
oes og nt al 
HEN the financial panic was at its height last week, 
we visiteda wealthy friend whose up-town mansion 
is palatial, his income from safe and judicious investments 
always ample and assured, and his bank account invariably 
showing a balance to his credit of many thousands—a gentle- 
man who dabbles little in speculative risks; and whom cares 
of State and fluctuations of the market of late do not perplex; 
one of those rare exceptions among men, content with suf- 
ficient and not ambitiousfor more. Surely, his was a case 
not, within the range of human probability, to be affected 
by any financial crash or monetary crisis. And yet, so in- 
tricate and searching are the ramifications >f disorder in 
times like these, when even the most provident and conser- 
tive find themselves suddenly crampedfor means, that he 
was unable to command a dollar from ordinary or extraordi- 
nary resources. Said he: ‘‘I have a balance in bank of 
$20,000, but all the cash I can raise is a paltry two hundred 
dollars. It is just enough to take me to the Adirondacks. Iam 
getting my guns and traps together, and to-morrow I start for 
Paul Smith’s, to bury myself in the woods and seek oblivion 
until the storm is over!” Happy theman who can thus drive 
dull care away at will, and turn aside the impending wave 
of trouble! The bank to which he has confided his trusts 
may break in his absence and swallow all his surplus; the 
business, hitherto lucrative, in which he is a silent partner, 
may suspend and cut off his monthly income; dividend 
paying stocks may depreciate until they are quoted at half 
their value; bonds and mortgages may cease to be negoti- 
ble; still, like the ostrich with his head in the bush he may 
roam the forest in blissful ignorance of his misfortunes, 
and follow his quest for game with a blithsome heart and 
bounding step! Who would not be an ardent sportsman? 
Such a man as this never allows business to interfere with 
his shooting. We wish the same were true of the herd of 
speculators who squeeze values, upset the market, and set the 
mercantile world at their wits end. Would that some good 
genius would inspire them to go off for ‘‘a day’s shoot- 
ing,” and stay—until the panic subsiues ! 
Ah! there is some soothing influence in this going apart 
to commune with nature in her solitudes, that makes us for- 
get the struggles of life and our worldly troubles. It ban- 
ishes all inordinate desires, simplifies our tastes, and makes 
us contented with mere food, raiment and shelter, which, 
after all, constitute the sole necessaries of life. This free 
existence among the woods, with heaven’s canopy over us, 
the crisp and fallen leaves beneath our feet, and the pure 
untainted air to breathe: it gives us elasticity of step and 
expands the lungs; it enlarges the generous impulses of 
man; it dignifies his own self respect; it makes him noble! 
In this quiet unconcerned existence, he finds himself moy- 
ing ina new world opulous with strange creatures, with 
whom in time he learns to hold familiar converse. The 
little denizens of the stumps and hollow logs become accus- 
tomed to his presence at last. When the first sound of his 
coming footfall was heard, they all hid away. The first warn- 
ing twig that snapped admonished them to be wary and 
lie perdu. All was silent as.the grave, except when a rust- 
ling leaf dropped down, or a walnut slipped from its opening 
shell aloft. But presently the head of a little gopher popped 
from under a dry leaf, then his body crept stealthily out, and 

ina minute with a sharp squeak to show the coast was 
clear, he rustled away. Then a woodpecker peered cau- 
tiously from behind the trunk of a tree, and com- 
menced to hammer, and froma neighboring limba red 
squirrel sprung his sharp, shrill rattle. A garter snake 
glided noiselessly from under a stump and slid into a bog 
hole, from which an autumn frog already ixtoned his sol- 
emn staccato bass. 
As we have said, one learns to comprehend the language 
of these little creatures, and understanding them thoroughly, 
wonders how any man can be so unkind and thoughtless as 
to blow out their little lives with powder and shot. Even 
the deer begin to understand him at last, and if he is harm- 
less and uses no gun, will repose such confidence in his 
honor that they will actually bring the rising generation 
of agile fawns to drink from the very spring that supplies 
his camp, Then when both have become better acquainted 
by closer contact, the sportsman will learn to look into 
their lustrous eyes as lovingly as did Don Juan into Donna 
Julia’s; and all his conscience will rise up against him in 
reproof for his cruel slaughter in bygone years. His re- 
sentment will follow the hunter who dares tu lay violent 
hands upon these innocent creatures whom he has learned 
to regard as his companions. 
If his larder becomes empty, he will have to select an- 
other locality where the deer are wild. It is only when 
they are running, that he can make up his mind to shoot. 
If bucks and does would only walk gently up to the mag- 
nanimous hunter when they see him stalking in the dis- 
tance, they would never get shot. Even the tiger sel- 
dom springs upon a creature that is notin motion. This 
is nature. We are acreation of pursuers and pursued, but 
not insatiable for that reason, by any means. If one will 
not run, there can be no pursuit. Itis only human beings 
like the Neros, Herods, and Caligulas that butcherin cold 
blood. These are the metaphysics of deer hunting. He 
who has studied the subject thoroughly, will find his 
thoughts yielding a responsive assent to their truthfulness. 
Now is the time for enjoying the full fruition of the de- 
lights which a ramble in the forests affords. Whether it 
be in the eager pursuit of the chase, or in the simpler study 
of the gorgeous tints of autumn, in breathing the sharp, in- 
vigorating frosty air, or in seeking merely a temporary 
relaxation from business cares, the glorious month of Octo- 
ber yields an appreciable reward which no other month 
affords. 
THE PRIZES AT CREEDMOOR. 
= + 
iz examining the very handsome prize list offered by the 
National Rifle Association, on the occasion of the com- 
ing contest in October at Creedmoor, we are pleased to no- 
tice, in one most important way, quite a divergence from 
the English precedent. 
In the last number of Forest AND STREAM we published 
an account of the various prizes—one hundred and twenty- 
fivein all—of an aggregate value of $8,298. The prizes 
consist of silver plate, cups, badges, medals of gold and sil- 
ver and bronze, rifles, a Gatlin gun, life membership, &c., 
and to these are supplemented three money prizes of $30, 
of $25, and of $20, making $75 cash in all; an insignifi- 
cant amount, when compared with the total value of the 
other prizes. 
It is by exactly reducing the money prizes to a minimum 
that we think that the Rifle Association have shown their 
good judgment. It is their particular aim, and one in 
which the’Rifle Association will doubtless be sustained by 
the American public, to give these national rifle matches 
the least possible appearance of a gambling contest. If 
men are not satisfied with that honorable distinction which 
a medal confers, and will only exercise their skill when 
sharpened by the amount of money they can make, then 
the true character of such contests, the proper rivalry 
which should exist, will be most materially damaged. The 
money question once introduced, must inevitably lower it 
in tone. 
Neither the State, the military organizations, nor the 
press, which all now unite in welcoming this effort to make 
rifle shooting a national pastime, would countenance what, 
if carried to any extreme, would undoubtedly rather give 
Creedmoor the appearance of a race-course than of a rifle- 
range. It is most desirable that Creedmoor should never 
enter into the category of ‘‘a sporting place in the worst 
sense.” If at Wimbledon contests have a certain amount 
of pounds, shillings and pence attached to them, it is no 
reason why in this country we should blindly follow a bad 
example. But that this is the universal practice in En- 
gland is by no means the case; witness the Lord Elcho 
prize, and the cup given this month in Ireland to riflemen. 
There may be nothing objectionable in the fact of men 
making a handicap for some trifling sum among themselves. 
Should it, however, become an established custom for the 
Rifle Association to offer certain amounts of money, no 
matter how large or small they may be, as the leading prizes 
for American rifle shooting, we believe that this money 
taint would materially injure Creedmoor. 

<b 
We learn that Dr. Elliott Coues, U. 8. A., Naturalist of 
the Northern Boundary Survey, has been very successful 
during the summer's operations in the field, having col- 
lected several thousand specimens, dry and alcoholic, in 
various departments of natural history. Some of the speci- 
mens are of great interest, representing rare and little known 
species, while others, it is believed, will prove entirely new 
to science. His observations, likewise, appear to have been 
minute and extended. Dr. Coues is at present at Long 
Coteau River, just north of the line, 270 miles west of Pem- 
bina. He will probably return in October. 

