Chapter XXXI: Part II (6)
~Princeton~ and the University of Pennsylvania attempted to play a championship game in Philadelphia, November 10, despite a heavy rain. As it was impossible to forfeit the game, a course of action was agreed upon to the effect that play was to be started and Princeton be allowed to make a touch-down. The game was then to be called, and because of a dispute awarded to Princeton by a score of 4 to 0. The teams were: _Princeton_--rushers, Riggs, Cook, Tredinnick, George, Janeway, Cowan, Bovaird; quarter-back, R. Hodge; half-backs, Black and Channing; back, Ames. _University of Pennsylvania_--rushers, Van Loon, Cash, Wright, Meirs, Gray, Harris, Wagenhurst; quarter-back, Vail; half-backs, Hulme and Valentine; full-back, Hill. Referee, Mr. Price; umpire, Mr. Corwin.
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~About~ 5,000 people witnessed the great game between Princeton and Harvard, which was played November 17 on the University Grounds, Princeton. It was perfect football weather. The Harvard men were bothered considerably by the mud which covered the field. Princeton being used to the grounds, played a splendid though somewhat rough game. From the first it was seen that Harvard was overmatched, the heavy rush-line of the orange and black withstanding every onslaught by the crimson. In the first half Princeton secured three touch-downs, but failed in every instance to kick a goal. In the second half, after thirty-five minutes of desperate playing, during which the ball traveled up and down the field, Princeton secured a touch-down and kicked a goal. Harvard, a few minutes later, rushed the ball down the field toward the home goal, and Davis made a touch-down from which a goal was kicked. The result was: Princeton, 18 points; Harvard, 6. This is the team that appeared on the field:
_Harvard_--rushers, V. Harding, Davis, Trafford, Cranston, Carpenter, Woodman, Cumnock; quarter-back, G. Harding; half-backs, Porter and Lee; full-back, Sears (captain).
_Princeton_--rushers, Riggs, Cook, Irvine, George, Janeway, Cowan (captain), Bovaird; quarter-back, R. Hodge; half-backs, Mowry and Black; full-back, Ames. Mr. W. C. Camp, Yale, ’80, was referee, and Mr. W. H. Corbin, captain Yale eleven, for the first half, and Mr. E. L. Richards, Yale, for the second half, were the umpires.
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~On~ the Yale field at New Haven the Yale eleven ran up what is thus far the largest score of the season, in a championship game with Wesleyan, November 17. Although the latter eleven played an unusually good game, it could not resist the excellent team and individual work on the part of the Yale men. Gill and Stagg distinguished themselves, as did Heffelfinger and Wurtenberg. The men were arranged as follows: _Yale_--rushers, Stagg, Hartwell, Woodruff, Newell, Heffelfinger, Gill, Wallace; quarter-back, Wurtenberg; half-backs, McBride and McClung; full-back, Bull. _Wesleyan_--rushers, Floy, Glenn, Heath, Gardner, Eaton, Johnson, Crane; quarter-back, Eggleston; half-backs, Hall and McDonald; full-back, Slayback. Referee, Landon, of Wesleyan; umpire, H. E. Peabody, of Harvard. Score: Goals, 11-65 points; touchdowns, 8-32 points; goal from field, 1-5 points; safety by Wesleyan, 2 points. Total, 105 points.
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~Harvard~ defeated the University of Pennsylvania November 19, after a rough battle in mud and water, on the University Grounds, at Philadelphia, Pa. Cumnock, Sears and Porter played a splendid game for Harvard, and Wagenhurst, Hulme and Hill did good work for Pennsylvania. The score was 42 to 0 in favor of Harvard. The teams were: _Harvard_--rushers, Crosby, Davis, Longstreth, Cranston, Trafford, Woodman, Cumnock; quarter-back, G. Harding; half-backs, Porter and V. Harding; full-back, Sears. _University of Pennsylvania_--rushers, Wagenhurst, Sypher, Tunis, Meirs, Bowser, Cash, Ziegler; quarter-back, Church; half-backs, Hulme and Colladay; full-back, Hill. Referee, R. N. Corwin, Yale, ’86; umpire, L. Price, Princeton, ’87.
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~What~ was undoubtedly the best game of the season was played on the Polo Grounds, November 24, between Vale and Princeton, in the presence of about 15,000 spectators. The day was admirably suited to football, and the slight east wind was not strong enough to materially aid either side. The teams were composed as follows:
~Yale.~
F. W. Wallace, ’89 Left end rusher Weight, 150
C. O. Gill, ’89 Left tackle “ 170
W. W. Heffelfinger, ’91 S. Left guard “ 192
W. H. Corbin, ’89, capt. Centre “ 185
G. W. Woodruff, ’89 Right guard “ 183
W. C. Rhodes, ’91 Right tackle “ 164
A. A. Stagg, T. S. Right end rusher “ 150
W. C. Wurtenberg, ’89 S. Quarter-back “ 138
W. P. Graves, ’91 Left half-back “ 154
S. L. McClung, ’92 Right half-back “ 152
W. S. Bull, P. G. Full-back “ 161
~Princeton.~
R. E. Speer, ’89 Left end rusher Weight, 166
H. W. Cowan, ’88 Left tackle “ 179
H. K. Janeway, ’90 Left guard “ 203
W. J. George, ’89 Centre “ 179
W. M. Irvine, ’88 Right guard “ 166
J. F. Cook, ’89 Right tackle “ 174
D. Bovaird, Jr., ’89 Right end rusher “ 158
R. M. Hodge, P. G. Quarter-back “ 134
R. H. Channing, Jr., ’90 Left half-back “ 141
J. Black, ’92 Right half-back “ 168
K. L. Ames, ’90 Full-back “ 150
Yale’s rush line averaged 170 4-7 pounds, and the whole team 163 6-11, while Princeton averaged 175 in the rush line and 164 9-11 pounds in the whole team.
Mr. W. A. Brooks, Jr., Harvard, was referee, and Mr. Fred Fisk, Harvard, umpire.
Play was begun at 2.22, Princeton having the ball and Yale the east goal. Princeton opened with the V play, and at first gained ground, but a few of these attacks seemed to weaken their rush line and Yale successfully opposed the human battering-rams. There followed next a great deal of open play, in which Cowan, Black, Janeway and Ames distinguished themselves for Princeton, while Wallace, Gill, Corbin, and McClung did admirable work for Yale. The kicking of Bull was superb, and his excellent judgment in placing the ball aided Yale materially. Gradually the ball was forced into Princeton’s territory and several long punts and drop-kicks by Bull from the field landed the ball back of Princeton’s line. At last Yale secured the ball on the ten-yard line, it was passed to Bull, who succeeded in kicking a goal, being enabled to do so by the splendid blocking of the rush line. Time, 35m.
From the kick-off the ball was again forced toward the Princeton goal, and when half time was called the ball was on the five-yard line. Score at half time: 5 points to 0 in Yale’s favor.
Second half.--Yale had the ball and played against the wind. Princeton showed renewed strength, and the play continued near the middle of the field. For twenty-five minutes neither side could gain any great advantage, but after hard work on both sides Princeton was forced back. Wurtenberg was disqualified, McClung taking his place at quarter, while Harvey was taken on as half-back. Good rushing by their half-backs gained about forty yards for Princeton. Yale then secured the ball, and a kick sent it well into Princeton’s territory. Ames kicked, and Harvey made one of the longest and most successful runs of the day, passing nearly all the Princeton rushers. Strong rushes by Heffelfinger advanced the ball twenty yards. Cowan was disqualified and Riggs substituted. The ball was near the Princeton line, and attempts by Yale to force it over having failed, Bull was given another opportunity, and kicked a second goal from the field. But a few moments remained for play, and, with the ball in the centre of the field, time was called. Score at the end of the second half: 10 points for Yale; for Princeton, 0.
The most noticeable feature of the game was the open play of Yale. Princeton’s strong rush line, while doing admirable work, was not able to take advantage of opportunities as quickly as should have been the case. Yale was too quick, and her men were on the ball before the Princeton’s half-backs could get started.
In winning this game Yale won the championship for 1888.
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~The~ last game of the intercollegiate football series was played Thanksgiving Day, on the Polo Grounds, between Wesleyan and the University of Pennsylvania. As both teams were evenly matched a close game resulted. Walter Camp was referee, and Richard M. Hodge was umpire. The teams, as they lined up at 2.30, were as follows: _Pennsylvania_--rushers, Wagenhurst, Sypher, Dewey, Savage, Bowser, Cash, Ziegler; quarter-back, Church; half-backs, Hulme and Colladay; full-back, Hill. _Wesleyan_--rushers, Floy, Glenn, Heath, Gardner, Eaton, Gibson, Crane; quarter-back, Opdyke; half-backs, Manchester and McDonald; full-back, Slayback.
The first half was marked by a very fierce style of play, and numerous scrimmages resulted in more or less injury to the players. After twenty-five minutes Ziegler succeeded in making a touch-down for Pennsylvania, from which a goal was kicked. When time was called at the end of the first half no additional points had been made, though Wesleyan had tried desperately to equal the score. This she succeeded in doing in the second half. However, after that Pennsylvania rushed well, and the ball seldom went out of Wesleyan’s territory, and at the end of the last forty-five minutes she had scored 12 points more, winning the game by 18 points to 6 for Wesleyan. Altogether it was one of the roughest games played this year.
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~In~ the New England Intercollegiate Football Association a series of interesting games has been played as follows:
Oct. 27. At Boston--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 48; Amherst, 0.
Nov. 7. At Amherst--Williams, 53; Amherst, 0.
Nov. 10. At Hanover, N. H.--Dartmouth, 30; Technology, 0.
Nov. 14. At Hanover, N. H.--Dartmouth, 36; Williams, 6.
Nov. 17. At Williamstown, Mass.--Williams, 42; Stevens Institute, 4.
Nov. 19. At Williamstown, Mass.--Stevens, 30; Dartmouth, 0.
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~K. L. Ames~, ’90, the famous full-back, has been elected captain of the Princeton team for 1889.
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~The~ Intercollegiate football record is as follows:
A: Yale.
B: Princeton.
C: Harvard.
D: University of Penn.
E: Wesleyan.
---------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+-----
~Clubs.~ | A | B | C | D | E | Won.
---------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+-----
Yale | -- | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4
Princeton | 0 | -- | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3
Harvard | 0 | 0 | -- | 1 | 1 | 2
University of Pennsylvania | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- | 1 | 1
Wesleyan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- | 0
+----+----+----+----+----+-----
Lost | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | --
---------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+-----
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~Yale~, last fall, made the largest total score ever made by a Yale eleven--698 to 0.
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~The~ three highest scores made this season on the football field were: November 3, Harvard vs. Amherst, 102 to 0; same day, Princeton vs. Johns Hopkins, 104 to 0; November 17, Yale vs. Wesleyan, 105 to 0.
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~The~ annual Cornell-Lehigh football game was played in Elmira, November 29, resulting in the defeat of Cornell by a score of 4 to 0. The grounds never presented a worse appearance, and the mud was fully five inches deep, with a pool of water covering one-half the area of the territory. The game was called at three o’clock, and Lehigh won the ball. In ten minutes she had secured a touch-down, but failed to kick a goal. Then Cornell played better and got the ball into Lehigh’s territory. At one time she was within a few feet of the line, but by tremendous exertions Lehigh prevented Cornell from scoring, and when time was called for the first half, the score was 4 to 0 in favor of Lehigh. In the second half no scoring was done, though Cornell secured a touch-down, which was not allowed by the referee. The game was thus won by Lehigh, 4 to 0, although this has been protested by Cornell, who claim that the game should go to them, by a score of 8 to 4. Mr. Ray Tompkins, Yale, ’84, was referee, and H. M. Morton, Lafayette, ’87, was umpire.
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~A. J. Cumnock~, ’91, has been elected captain of the Harvard team for 1889.
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~William C. Rhodes~, ’91, has been elected captain of the Yale team for 1889.
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~The~ class games at Columbia College resulted as follows: November 30, the class of ’92 defeated ’91 by a score of 12 to 8. The same day, ’90 defeated ’89 by a score of 30 to 0. December 1, the deciding game was played between ’92 and ’90. The juniors outplayed the Freshmen, and won by a score of 28 to 0. C. H. Mapes, of Columbia, was umpire, and Mr. W. Smith, of the Crescents, was referee.
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~Three~ thousand persons, November 29, witnessed what was undoubtedly the greatest football event that ever took place in the West. The game was between a team made up of Chicago and other college men, most of whom had played in some one of the famous Yale, Harvard or Princeton teams, and an eleven representing the present students at the Ann Arbor University of Michigan.
The game took place on the grounds of the Chicago Baseball Club. It was a victory for the Chicagos by a score of 28 to 4. Michigan had the kick-off, and the game started with the teams in position as follows:
MICHIGAN. POSITION. CHICAGO.
J. Van Inwegan Right end A. Farwell.
S. S. Bradley Right tackle H. Hallin.
W. E. Malley Right guard B. B. Lamb, Capt.
H. M. Prettyman Centre F. G. Peters.
R. W. Beach Left guard E. L. Burke.
R. E. Hagle Left tackle A. S. Bickham.
L. MacMillan Left end B. Lockwood.
E. L. Smith Quarter-back B. Hamlin.
E. W. McPherran Half-back W. Crawford.
J. E. Duffy, Capt. Half-back J. Waller.
W. D. Ball Goal J. Cowling.
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~The~ Cambridge Latin and High School eleven has won the championship in the interscholastic football series of games for the challenge cup, which was donated by a number of Harvard men to encourage football playing in the preparatory schools of Boston and vicinity. The cup, which is a very handsome one of solid silver, is between eight and nine inches high and about the same in diameter. The body of the cup resembles in shape half a Rugby football. About the top of the cup is a band of olive leaves in raised silver, and below this is another band on which is placed the name of the cup. Upon the wide space below, which runs round the body of the cup, are morning-glories and leaves raised in silver, the leaves being left blank for the inscriptions of the names of winning teams and players from year to year. At some distance below this is an imitation of a ribbon in repoussé work, which runs around the cup and twines about the handles, and on which are the names of the donors. The cup rests on four lion-claws in heavy silver, and in each claw is a tiny football.
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~Unfortunately~ the Yale and Harvard elevens did not meet during the season. This was due to the refusal of the Harvard faculty to allow the Harvard eleven to play Yale on the Polo Grounds on Thanksgiving Day. Yale adhered to the strict letter of the constitution, which fixed the Polo Grounds as the place where the championship game had to be played.
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~The~ Harvard Freshmen defeated the Yale Freshmen, December 1, on Jarvis Field, Cambridge, Mass., in the presence of a large audience, by a score of 36 to 4. Lee, of Harvard, played a remarkable game, as did Cranston, of the same eleven, and McClung and Heffelfinger for Yale.
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~Lehigh~ is tied with the University of Pennsylvania in the race for the championship of Pennsylvania. Both have won two games and lost one, but in playing against last year’s champion, Lafayette, Lehigh won both games, while the University of Pennsylvania lost one of them. It would thus seem as if Lehigh had the superior team and the better claim to the championship.
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~The~ Advisory Committee of the Intercollegiate Football Association met at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, Saturday evening, December 1. R. M. Hodge, of Princeton, presided. Yale was represented by W. C. Camp, Wesleyan by H. H. Beatty, and the University of Pennsylvania by W. S. Harvey. Harvard had no representative. Inasmuch as there was no protest entered as to the championship, it was awarded to Yale without further action.
In considering the rules of the game the committee took occasion to define the rule with respect to disqualifying a player for roughness and foul tackling. It was determined that the phrase “unnecessary roughness” included jumping on a prostrate player with knees merely, and that the disqualifying of Cowan and Wurtenberg was needless, because they were not breaking the rule as defined by the committee. The next meeting will be in March, for the purpose of arranging a set of rules to be presented to the convention of the Football Association, which will take place the following month.
ICE-YACHTING.
~In~ connection with Colonel Norton’s article on “Ice-yachts,” the following record of all the races sailed for the challenge pennant is kindly furnished by Commodore Roosevelt, to whom the author is indebted for much valuable information, and for the illustrations that accompany the article:
Regattas for Challenge Pennant of America, open to all comers:
1881, March 5, at New Hamburgh, N. Y., Poughkeepsie Ice-Yacht Club challenging New Hamburgh Ice-Yacht Club. Won by the _Phantom_, N. H. I. Y. C. Course, 20 miles; time, 57m. 14s.
1883, February 6, at New Hamburgh, Poughkeepsie Ice-Yacht Club challenging New Hamburgh Ice-Yacht Club. Won by the _Avalanche_, P. I. Y. C. Course, 20 miles; time, 57m.
1833, February 23, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., North Shrewsbury Ice-Yacht Club challenging Poughkeepsie Ice-Yacht Club. Won by the _Jack Frost_, P. I. Y. C. Course, 25 miles; time, 1h. 14m. 35s.
1884, February 9, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., North Shrewsbury Ice-Yacht Club challenging Poughkeepsie Ice-Yacht Club. Won by the _Haze_, P. I. Y. C. Course, 20 miles; time, 1h. 5m. 30s.
1885, February 14, at Poughkeepsie, New Hamburgh Ice-Yacht Club challenging Poughkeepsie Ice-Yacht Club. Won by the _Haze_, P. I. Y. C. Course, 20 miles; time, 1h. 1m. 15s.
1885, February 18, at New Hamburgh, N. Y., North Shrewsbury Ice-Yacht Club challenging Poughkeepsie Ice-Yacht Club. Won by the _Northern Light_, P. I. Y. C. Course, 20 miles; time, 1h. 8m. 42s.
1887, February 14, at Poughkeepsie, Hudson River Ice-Yacht Club challenging Poughkeepsie Ice-Yacht Club. Won by the _Jack Frost_, H. R. I. Y. C. Course, 16 miles; time, 43m. 40s.
1888, at Crum Elton, North Shrewsbury Ice-Yacht Club challenging Hudson River Ice-Yacht Club. Won by the _Icicle_, H. R. I. Y. C. Course, 12 miles; time, 34m. 50s.
KENNEL.
~At~ the meeting of the Board of Governors of the New Jersey Kennel Club, held in Jersey City recently, the Bench Show Committee reported progress. So far nothing has been decided as to the building in which the show is to be held. It is probable, however, that the Oakland Rink will be selected. It is centrally located, and is well known all over New Jersey and the Heights. Mr. Peshall expressed his intention of handing in his resignation at the next meeting as delegate to the A. K. C. He is the oldest delegate, and, believing in rotation, wants to make room for another member of the N. J. K. C. He is of opinion that it would be for the good of the A. K. C. if delegates were elected to serve for a stipulated period, not to exceed two years. This would bring new material into the management of the A. K. C., and would help to dispel the impression existing in the minds of many that the club is managed by a clique.
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~A meeting~ of the Connecticut State Kennel Club was held at Bridgeport, October 30, A. R. Kyle in the chair. A number of applications for membership were received and acted upon; constitution and by-laws were adopted, and the following executive committee appointed: John White (chairman), Bridgeport; E. Sheffield Porter, New Haven; A. R. Kyle, South Norwalk; A. R. Crowell, Campville; Dr. Burk, South Norwalk; Samuel Banks, Bridgeport; Sherman Hubbard, Bridgeport. Also the following bench show committee: W. D. Peck, New Haven; A. R. Crowell, Campville; E. F. Way, Hartford; A. R. Kyle, South Norwalk; Dr. Jas. E. Hair, Bridgeport. It was the most successful meeting the club has held, and from the way the applications for membership are coming in it would seem that the dog-men in all parts of the State were interested in making the club a thorough success.
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~Mr. R. P. H. Durkee~, of Chicago, has purchased from Mr. Sidney W. Smith the St. Bernard dog Burns, a well-known prize winner. Mr. Durkee has also purchased the prize-winning bitches Gloriana and Miscabel, from Mr. J. F. Smith, and Chieftainess, V. H. C., at Brighton, from Mr. Edward Durrant. These dogs were selected and bought for Mr. Durkee by Mr. H. L. Goodman, who went to Europe for the purpose of selecting dogs for Mr. Durkee’s kennel.
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~A correspondent~ of the French kennel journal _Le Chenil_ recommends this method of measuring a dog’s height: One of my friends, a veterinary surgeon, tells me of a method as simple and ingenious as it is sure, to take a dog’s exact height at shoulder. Take hold of one of the forelegs of the animal, and the dog, forced to support itself on the other leg, holds it out stiffly and does not bend it, as is usually the case when it sees the preparations for measuring. With this precaution the height of a dog varies scarcely an eighth of an inch, while without it the difference is often considerable.
LAWN TENNIS.
~At~ Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y., November 12, Pope and Wilkinson beat Jackson and Crouch in the finals for the college tennis championship, in doubles, by a score of 6-2, 6-4, 5-7.
* * * * *
~The~ Brooklyn Hill Tennis Club finished its handicap tournament on the grounds, Nostrand Avenue and Herkimer Street, Brooklyn, November 1. In the second round of the mixed doubles Miss Shreve and T. W. T. Maxwell defeated Miss and Mr. Hotchkiss by 6-5, 5-6, 6-1. The final round was won by Miss Brush and J. C. Tatum, who defeated Miss Shreve and her partner, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.
First prize in the ladies’ singles was won by Miss Hanly. She beat Mrs. West in the final round after an exciting contest, 4-6, 6-5, 6-2, 6-3. The final round, gentlemen’s singles, was not finished. Mr. Raymond and Mr. W. Tomes played three sets, the score being in favor of the former, 6-1, 6-1, 5-7. The winner will be decided by lot.
ROD AND GUN.
~The~ Salt Lake (Utah) Sportsman’s Club was incorporated under Utah laws, August 25, 1888. President, M. B. Sowles; vice-president, Thos. J. Almy; secretary and treasurer, H. M. Miller; board of directors, M. B. Sowles, H. M. Miller, Thos. J. Almy, Charles Read, Wm. M. Bradley, I. M. Barratt and Phillip Klipple.
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~A gun~ club has been organized at Lost Nation, Ia., under the name of the Lost Nation Gun Club. The officers are: President, L. Scott; vice-president, M. Stevenson; secretary and treasurer, F. M. Frazier; director, F. B. Nichols.
* * * * *
~The~ officers of the Commercial Rifle Club of New Orleans, La., are: President, Frank Dumas; vice-president, Wm. Monrose; treasurer, Charles Barnes; secretary, Geo. C. Hanser; superintendent, Wm. Marquetz.
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~October 15, 1888~, the Salt Lake (Utah) Gun Club was organized. President, Wm. M. Bradley; vice-president, Thos. J. Stevens; secretary and treasurer, W. J. De Bruhl; board of directors, W. M. Bradley, T. J. Stevens, W. J. De Bruhl, M. R. Evans, and W. F. Beer.
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~In~ shooting for the Founder’s Cup at Harvard, November 1, Messrs. Post and Mackay tied for first place, with a score of 12 out of 15. In shooting off Post won.
* * * * *
~The~ Fly Casters’ Association, of Albany, held a tournament, October 27, which proved very successful. The judges were James H. Manning, Charles B. Andrews and W. W. Byington. There were eleven prizes, which were awarded as follows:
Association class--Thomas W. Olcott, first prize, a Spalding split bamboo rod; W. D. Frothingham, second, a Mills & Son standard split bamboo fly-rod; W. G. Paddock, third, an automatic reel; Howard Paddock, fourth, a Bray fly-book; Dayton Ball, fifth, fifty yards metallic centre-enameled line; B. F. Reese, sixth, two dozen trout flies; Stuart G. Spier, seventh, a trout basket. Amateur Second Class--Chas. A. Gove, first, an L. Levison fly-book; H. A. Goffe, second, a lancewood fly-rod; John M. Quinby, third, a gogebic reel; W. Story, fourth, pocket tackle-case.
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~The~ ducking season began, in Pennsylvania, November 1. The lower Delaware and adjacent bays and inlets are said to be swarming with ducks. Extensive preparations have been made in Philadelphia by a club of well-known men, who call themselves “The Innocent Eight,” for an active ducking season. Among the Innocents are: Messrs. Michael B. Andrews, Clarence B. Kugler, Joseph Wright and Colonel William B. Mann. Members of the club have purchased a “rigging” at a cost of $2,000. It contains over a thousand decoys, many sink-boxes, both double and single, and all the improved paraphernalia used in ducking.
* * * * *
~The~ season for ducking opened, in Maryland, November 1. Back, Middle, Gunpowder and Bush rivers are all first-class waters for duck shooting. The best duck shooting in the country is to be found on the flats near the mouth of the Susquehanna River. On these flats grow the choicest celery, which, combined with the shallowness of the water, makes the spot most attractive to the fowl. The delicacy of the food imparts to the ducks a flavor that has given the Havre de Grace canvas-back a world-wide reputation. The State has passed stringent laws governing the flats, and collects quite a revenue from the boats engaged in shooting. A special police-force is maintained to enforce the laws.
ROWING.
~Harvard~ expects to have a rowing tank, similar to the Yale tank, shortly. The old gymnasium will probably be used for the purpose. An effort is also being made to raise funds for a new steam-launch. Harvard rowing men recognize that they must show by deeds that they deserve the support of the college.
All the crews have left the river and are at work in the gymnasium. The university crew is rowing on the machines and pulling chest-weights. The number of candidates is small, but it will be greatly increased after the vacation. With the exception of the freshmen, the class-crews are not in strict training. Eighty-nine played football during the fall for exercise; ’90 and ’91 are taking walks and pulling chest-weights. The freshmen are rowing in the ’varsity room on the machines. They are obliged to be through by five o’clock, and as they have nearly three crews at work, the lack of room is very apparent, and interferes greatly with their work. Their average weight is at present nearly 156 pounds.
* * * * *
~The~ Cornell oarsmen are very ambitious to send out next June an eight-oared crew, which, it is hoped, will beat Columbia, win the “Child’s Cup” for the third and last time, and, if possible, win against Yale. The whole amount needed for the purpose is estimated at $2000; $500 for a new shell, and $1500 for crew and trainer. The Cornell _Era_ recently began raising a fund for this object, and over half the amount is already pledged, and the collections are coming in at the rate of $200 a week. The young women connected with the university have subscribed $100. There is no doubt but that the full amount will be raised. Courtney will train the crew.
* * * * *
~By~ reason of the expense, the class crews of Bowdoin have been given up.
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~The~ famous old Atalanta Boat Club has now established winter quarters apart from the boat club, and have settled down in an elegant establishment on Fifth Avenue. The building is arranged and furnished so as to provide every facility for indoor amusement while the water is sealed in icy bonds. The billiard-rooms and bowling-alleys are located in the lower part of the house, and the other apartments are so arranged as to conduce to the comfort and enjoyment of the members.
* * * * *
“~Rock~” ~Kent~, one of the most promising scullers on the Harlem River, is, it is said, about to give up rowing altogether. He is one of the prominent members of the Metropolitan Rowing Club, and his withdrawal from that organization, if the report be true, will be a sad loss.
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~The~ Union Boat Club, of Boston, which has a membership list of 200 names, has elected the following officers for 1889: President, Henry Parkman; vice-president, Edward B. Robins; captain, A. Van Courtlandt Van Rensselaer; lieutenant, Warren F. Kellogg; treasurer, Edward D. Blake; secretary, William R. Richards; directors, Arthur B. Ellis, Courtenay Guild, Thornton H. Simmons; election committee, William Appleton, J. F. Bush, Robert Bacon, William S. Eaton, Jr., William S. Hall, James M. Olmstead, Henry T. Spooner, Guy Wilkinson.
SKATING.
~The~ Lachine Skating Club held its second annual meeting recently and elected the following officers: Mr. T. A. Dawes, re-elected honorary president; C. Thos. Danford, president; Albert Dawes, vice-president, and Wm. A. Shackell re-elected secretary-treasurer. The following were selected for the committee: A. P. Bastable, H. K. Danford, J. MacGowan, A. Noad, E. W. H. Phillip and A. Perry. Several new members were elected.
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~The~ annual meeting of the National Skating Association of England was held at the Bath Hotel, Cambridge, Oct. 27, Mr. Neville Goodman in the chair.
The committee, in their report, congratulated the members on the position of the association. Numerous attempts were made during the past season to bring off the championship race, but when all preparations had been made the changes in the weather upset the arrangements and the meetings had to be abandoned.... The committee were sanguine of being able to pay their way, but this could not be done without gate proceeds. It was pointed out that scarcely any sporting pastime was now participated in without a charge for admission being made, especially when valuable prizes were given. Owing to the paucity of members it was impossible to hold race-meetings without relying upon a “gate” to meet the heavy expenses. Under the present _régime_ this rule would have to be adhered to, but should funds allow, free meetings would be held....
Mr. H. G. Few, R. S. O., Willingham, Cambs, was re-elected treasurer, and Messrs. J. D. Digby and J. Newton Digby were appointed joint honorable secretaries. Baron de Salis, of Holland, was elected an honorary life member.
The chairman, in accordance with notice, brought forward the question of the definition of an amateur; and proposed that in lieu of the present rule the following be adopted: “That an amateur is one who has never competed in a skating contest for a money prize.” This gave rise to discussion, the motion being opposed by the secretary, but it was carried.
SNOW-SHOEING.
~The~ following officers were elected by the Montreal Garrison Artillery Snow-Shoe Club: Hon. presidents, Lieut.-Col. Turnbull and Lieut.-Col. Oswald; Hon. vice-presidents, Major Cole and Capt. Levins; president, Capt. Lewis; vice-presidents, Lieuts. Crathern, Ogilvy and Foy; secretary-treasurer, Staff-Sergeant Cooper; assistant secretary-treasurer, Gunner Wilson. Committee: Lieut. McFarlane, Sergeant-Major Benton, Battery Sergeant-Major Murdock, Sergeant-Major Wilson, Sergeant McDonald, Sergeants Drysdale, Bonet, Pingel, Gunner Cokers, Trumpeter Shaw, Corporal Laurency. Delegates to Council Committee: Captain Lewis, Sergeant-Major Jones, Staff-Sergeant Cooper, Gunner Bremner.
SWIMMING.
~J. Nuttall~, one of the foremost of swimmers in the English amateur ranks, has cast his lot with the professionals, and, in his first race for the 1,000-yard professional championship, which took place at Lambeth Baths, Westminster Bridge Road, London, October 19, he met J. J. Collier, ex-champion; J. Finney, previous holder of the championship, and George Kistler, all first-class swimmers. The men swam in a tank 40 yards long, and Nuttall took the lead directly after the dive, holding it to the finish. Nuttall beat all previous records from the outset, as the following times will show:
*2 lengths 0m. 54s.
*4 lengths 1 55½
*6 lengths 3 00½
*8 lengths 4 08½
*10 lengths 5 17
*12 lengths 6 28½
*14 lengths 7 38¼
*16 lengths 8 48½
*18 lengths 10 00
*20 lengths 11 11
*22 lengths 12 25½
*24 lengths 13 40
*25 (1,000 yards) 14 17¼
* Record beaten from the start.
The previous best on record was by Finney, 14m. 43¾s.
TOBOGGANING.
~The~ Essex County Toboggan Club recently elected the following Board of Governors for the season of 1888-’89: John Firth, F. W. Hall, E. P. Hamilton, Charles T. Minton, Clarence D. Newell, John H. Sprague, Louis E. Chandler, Dr. F. A. Levy, Dr. G. B. Dowling, R. G. Hopper, Frank Lyman, D. H. Carstairs, Charles Hendricks, N. B. Woodworth, and C. F. Whiting.
YACHTING.
~The~ schooner-yacht _Brunhilde_, Captain John J. Phelps, owner, started on her second voyage round the globe November 1. Captain Phelps is accompanied by his wife. The crew consists of ten men before the mast. The _Brunhilde_ sailed direct for Bermuda. Captain Phelps has not yet determined how long he proposes to remain away.
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~From~ England comes the news that steps have been taken by yachtsmen there as well as on this side of the Atlantic to have a grand international race next May of sloop and cutter yachts in the forty, fifty, and sixty foot classes. It is understood that the Seawanhaka-Corinthian, Eastern and other clubs are arranging with the English clubs for the race, which is to be settled in American waters for prizes independent of the _America’s_ cup.
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~As~ we go to press it seems probable that James Coates, Jr., the Scotchman who owns the _Thistle_, will challenge for the _America’s_ cup within thirty days.
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~The~ report that another challenge for the _America’s_ cup will shortly be issued from the other side of the Atlantic is again on the rounds. A correspondent of the London _Times_ in Queenstown, Ireland, has heard that the Jamiesons, of Irish whiskey and _Irex_ fame, have been quietly building a large steel sloop, with the end in view of challenging for the _America’s_ cup. Richardson, the designer of the _Irex_, is said to be the designer of the new production. The author of the story has even learned the fact that the intended challenger is to be named the _Shamrock_. Mr. Jamieson has more than once been reported to have designs on the cup, and it is barely possible that a challenge may at some future day emanate from the Royal Irish Yacht Club, of which he is a member.
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~The~ winter quarters of the Newark, N. J., Yacht Club are at 740 Broad Street, Newark. The new rooms are cosily fitted up, and members of the club and their friends love to linger in the parlors and spin yarns of the water and about the men who go down to the sea in yachts.
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~The~ Harlem Yacht Club a short time ago moved into its new quarters, the old Randall mansion on East 121st Street. It was previously occupied by the Eastern Boulevard Club. The present officers of the club are: Commodore, James T. Lalor; vice-commodore, McEvoy; secretary, T. J. Dempsey; corresponding secretary, W. J. Parker; treasurer, H. M. Jones; measurer, T. P. Bates.
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.
[_This department of_ ~Outing~ _is devoted to answers to
correspondents seeking information on subjects appertaining to all
sports._]
_Scot, Boston._--For the game of lawn bowls you must have turf in the finest possible condition. The dimensions of the ground should be about forty-two yards long, and, if possible, the same breadth. There should be ditches at both ends, about twelve inches wide and three inches deep, with a bank about eighteen inches above the level of the lawn, to stop the bowls. The reason why it is advisable to have the ground square, is that one can then change the direction of play and so save the grass.
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_Chas. T., Baltimore._--Your horse is probably suffering from irregular teeth. What you describe is called “quidding.” You should have a veterinary surgeon to see to his teeth, and if necessary rasp them down. If it does not come from the teeth, he is probably suffering from catarrh, with sore throat, and when he is swallowing water you will be able to notice a peculiar gulping effort. This, of course, would need treatment.
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_Breeder, Buffalo, N. Y._--The New Forest ponies are no good. They have much of the blood of Marsk, the sire of the famous English horse Eclipse, in their veins, but in spite of it they are about as ill-looking animals as one can imagine, with most hideous heads and necks. They are, however, hardy and useful. The best all-round specimens of the Shetland that we have ever seen, certainly in America, are the family of them exhibited by Mr. Pierre Lorillard at the New York Horse-Show. They are of exactly the right stamp for that class of pony, and the stallion, Montreal, was well described as having “the build of a cart-horse and the carriage of a thoroughbred.”
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_Matador._--The sword is passed between the skull and the first cervical vertebra, in a perpendicular direction only.
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_Fred, H. L., Brooklyn, N. Y._--The best method to render shoes impervious to snow is to apply castor-oil. It must be applied twice, after the boots have been warmed at the fire. Of course, the oil must be used again at intervals, when the leather shows signs of needing it. The best plan is to wash off all blacking first, and apply the oil to the sole as well as the other portions of the shoe.
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_R. S. B., Broadway._--The length of the Cambridgeshire course, at Newmarket, England, is 1 mile and 240 yards.
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_Gunner, Washington, D. C._--Strictly speaking, the correct plural is with the s; but that letter is very commonly omitted. Indeed, among sportsmen, it may be said that “snipe” is invariably used in the plural as well as the singular sense; but naturalists use the plural “snipes” as meaning the different species of snipe. With woodcocks it is more usual to add the s, but many sportsmen omit it.
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_Canine, Hartford, Conn._--(1) Your best plan is to wash the ears out and brush in some green iodide of mercury twice a week. (2) Puppies at the age of three months or so, often show crooked legs with enlarged joints, but these generally come right later.
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_Athlete, Cambridge._--You can obtain just the kind of jewelry you require from Shreve, Crump & Low Co., Washington Street, Boston. They also give special attention to designing and making prizes for clubs.
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_C. A. S., New Haven, Conn._--Excellent shooting can be obtained at Barnegat, Delaware and Chesapeake bays; for the last place Havre de Grace is the usual starting-point. At Crisfield, Md., near the swamps of the Pocomoke, geese and different kinds of ducks are abundant. The trip, however, if you procured boat, sink-box, etc., at the more popular places, would prove expensive. Good Ground, Long Island, on the Great South Bay, is highly recommended, and, being off the usual line of travel, should afford satisfactory shooting. We should hardly advise you to go farther north at this time of year; and on the Maine coast the birds are fishy to the taste. You could, however, get some sport with the seals--with a rifle, for they are too shy for a shotgun. At this time of year we would suggest Camden as a starting-point, where you can obtain outfit and guides at a reasonable figure, while in the back country you could get some woodcock and partridges. On the whole, our advice would be to try Long Island or Barnegat Bay.
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_John R. S., Indianapolis._--Although trotting as a sport has not assumed any large dimensions in England, some English stock is still imported to gain fresh blood. Mr. Fairfax, of Virginia, recently purchased the stallion Matchless for 1,000 guineas from Mr. Brough, of Londesborough Wold, Yorkshire. Trotting is, however, making some headway on the other side, and a gentleman is at present laying out a half-mile track at Aintree, near Liverpool, where it is proposed to hold a meeting this year.
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_H. B. P., Quebec._--(1) The Northwestern Amateur Rowing Association has its headquarters at Detroit, Michigan. It was organized in October, 1868, and is composed of some 47 clubs. (2) The laws in regard to “water” read as follows:
(_a_) A boat’s own water is its straight course, parallel with those of the other competing boats, from the station assigned to it at the start to the finish.
(_b_) Each boat shall keep its own water throughout the race, and any boat departing from its own water will do so at its peril.
(_c_) The umpire shall be sole judge of a boat’s own water and proper course during the race.
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_1158 Springfield, Mass._--(1) Road-books are issued by Connecticut and Massachusetts. For former, write to Weed Sewing Machine Company, Hartford, Conn.; for latter, to H. W. Hayes, 103 State Street, Boston, Mass. (2) The States that publish road-books can make their own regulations as regards selling them to persons not members of the League. All the information and statistics are furnished by members to the compilers free, and the idea of not selling the book to outsiders is to retain the benefits afforded by the organization for members only. It is thought by some that this will increase the membership. New York State sells the road-book to outsiders for $1.50, and to League members for $1.00.
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_Whist-Player, Yonkers._--The best thing we have seen in the line of card-tables, are those made by Keeler & Co., Washington Street, Boston. The folding pattern is especially commendable.
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_Paterfamilias, Springfield, Mass._--You will find that the repeating air-gun made by H. H. Kiffe, 318 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, is the very thing for your boy.
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_J. E. M., Lynchburg, Va._--Chapped heels arise from exposure to wet and cold, or from imperfect drying of the legs after washing. You will find white lead or zinc ointment beneficial.
A MOONLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH RUSSIAN WOLVES.]
~Outing.~
~Vol.~ XIII. FEBRUARY, 1889. ~No.~ 5.
BY WILL H. WHYTE.
Hark to the sleigh-bells--how they charm the ear
With crystal music exquisitely clear!
Watch the light sleighs, how merrily they go
O’er firm new roads macadamized with snow!
The skies are blue, the sunbeams, as they play,
Eclipse the splendors of a summer day,
And rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds blaze,
Beneath each horse’s footfall, with prismatic rays.
--_G. Murray._
When old Winter, the king of the Arctic Circle, issues from his polar domain for his annual visit to southern latitudes, accompanied by his stalwart henchman Jack Frost, he binds tight with icy chains the great rivers and lakes, and even the mighty St. Lawrence bows to and acknowledges his power. Then the country and roads lie deep beneath the snow-king’s mantle, and man, who cannot hibernate like the bears, adopts a mode of locomotion different from those he uses in the long days of summer. The noisy wheel he replaces with the silent runner.
In all northern countries, where the snow covers the ground to any depth, the inhabitants use some kind of sleigh or sled to enable them to travel during the winter. In the Arctic zone the Laplanders and Esquimaux traverse their ice-bound land in low but comfortable sledges drawn by reindeer or dogs. Around the shores of Hudson’s Bay, and in sections north of Lake Superior, where the iron horse has not yet made his appearance, the winter vehicle in use is the “traineau,” drawn by a team of dogs. In Manitoba and the Canadian Northwest, until its annexation and settlement some years ago by the Dominion, this was the sole means of communication in winter between many of the scattered settlements; and even now, in the far north, the mails are so conveyed. In these days of high pressure, time is an object, and few would care to spend fourteen days in a sleigh when fourteen hours by rail would bring one to his destination. There are, however, yet living, old travelers who could many a tale unfold of tragic adventure over frozen field and flood--some even thrilling enough to stir the blood of the reader of sensational novels.
In those early days, when for four months in the year the sleigh afforded the only means of transportation, it was not regarded as a sport or pastime. The highways followed the windings and indentations of the lakes and rivers, and were frequently blocked with heavy snowdrifts. The ice made a shorter and more level path, and was consequently preferred as soon as it was strong enough to bear the weight of a horse and sleigh, so affording, during the colder months, a pleasant road. But toward the spring of the year, when the returning power of the sun honey-combed the ice, it made a dangerous track, and many a sleigh with its living freight has disappeared beneath the treacherous ice. Even without such tragic incidents, excitement would often be afforded by the loss of horses and sleigh, and a weary, perilsome walk to the nearest village or settlement. In those days no one thought of leaving home without his rifle, for in wood and bush lurked the ravenous wolf, and, still more to be dreaded, the Indian of those days. Happily this has all passed away, and the present generation travels by steam in comfortable cars, and the traveler has no fear of being brained by a tomahawk or losing his scalp. His sleigh-riding is limited to perhaps the next town or village, and usually combines pleasure with business.
In Dakota, Minnesota, and other northwestern States, and in Manitoba, during the months of February and March, when that American product, the “blizzard,” is on the trail, sleighing at any distance from civilization is somewhat perilous. We have a vivid recollection of a sleigh drive in the province of Manitoba, when for twenty miles we never saw the horse that was drawing our sleigh. With fearful velocity the blizzard overtook us, and in an instant the air was filled with a whirlwind of snow. Covering our faces, we left our “shaginappi” pony to follow the trail as best he could, trusting that somehow the sagacious animal would find his way to some house or settlement. After many weary hours, when hope was almost expiring, benumbed and nearly exhausted, just as the shadows of night were closing in around us, our steed suddenly drew up in front of a house, and the most gladsome sight we ever beheld was the light in the window of that little shanty. A warm, comfortable room and something to eat soon thawed us out, and after seeing that our four-footed friend was well housed, we were soon sound asleep, fagged out with our tussle. Never since have we yearned for a similar experience.
In lumbering, that great industry of Maine, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Canada, the sleigh and sled plays a very important part. When frost makes the swamps firm and snow levels the ground, the lumber-camp is in all its activity. The vast forest trees are cut and then easily drawn on sleds to the nearest lake or river, whence in spring they are floated to market.
Ever since the days when the “lily flag” of the Bourbons floated over “La Nouvelle France,” ice-trotting has been a Canadian winter pastime on the great St. Lawrence River, either at Quebec, Three Rivers or Montreal. In fact, in any of the inland villages, wherever a stretch of ice can be found, may be seen the French Canadian, seated on a sleigh after the style of a skeleton-sulky, no matter how cold or stormy it may be. He is happy if he can show the good points of his trotter in a race with a neighbor before an admiring audience of countrymen, and when not racing he will spend hours speeding his horse over the glassy track. The Canadian horse is hardy for his size and weight, unsurpassed for pluck and endurance, and usually possesses good action and temper. Many are descendants of Norman stock. Ice-trotting has always been a favorite sport at Montreal, and many of the trotters of the present day are descended from horses that have been used in this sport. Among those that made a name for themselves on the ice forty years ago was the well-known St. Lawrence.
In Canada sleighing has attained the greatest pre-eminence as a pastime, and perhaps in the whole Dominion it is nowhere so popular as in the ancient province of Quebec. Here the climate is absolutely unsurpassed for the thorough enjoyment of outdoor sports. When winter once sets in a thaw rarely occurs, with the exception of one in January, which seldom lasts longer than two or three days. Jack Frost is the ruler of the weather. Consequently, though the air may be cold, it is clear and dry and enjoyable, the roads hard and smooth, the runners glide easily and quietly, while the bells jingle merrily. All who can afford it keep some kind of a sleigh and horse, while the livery-stables in the larger towns do a thriving and profitable business. The country and city roads present a gay appearance. Every variety of turn-out is there, from the home-made “cariole” and French-Canadian pony of the _habitant_, to the handsome sleigh and team of the millionaire. What a revelation would a procession of all the styles of sleigh that have been in vogue since the settlement of the province afford! Or even those of the present century. There would be the little market-box, or “Berlin;” the ancient but still fashionable “cariole,” on runners so low that a chance upset does not present much danger; the trotting-sulky; the light but dashing cutter, a style more in vogue over the border than in Quebec, and dozens of fashionable equipages mounted on single or double runners and furnished with a wealth of furs that would make a Russian prince envious.
Montreal stands unsurpassed for winter vehicles. St. Petersburg, the Russian capital, can perhaps compete in furs, but the Canadian metropolis is unsurpassed in the beauty and variety of its sleighs. Nor can the pleasure of sleighing be enjoyed to greater perfection than in the “Royal City.” The clear, bracing atmosphere gives color to the faces of the fair occupants of the sleighs; the merry music of the bells, and the sound of the runners over the crisp and frozen snow, all lend a charm to the sport, and furnish a tonic finer and far more exhilarating than anything physicians can prescribe. Even the horses seem to trot with a full instinct of enjoyment.
What is more glorious or inspiring than a drive on a beautiful clear Canadian winter’s evening? The night is glorious; possibly there is not even a breath of wind to stir the mass of snow that covers the fields. The stars twinkle and sparkle in the blue sky; the moon transforms the snowy piles into heaps of sparkling diamonds and sketches in exquisite tracery the outlines of trees and leafless branches upon the virgin carpet beneath. The solemn stillness is only broken by the melodious chimes of the sleigh-bells and the patter of the horses’ hoofs upon the frozen crystals.
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Outing; Vol. XIII.; October, 1888 to March, 1889Chapter XXXI: Part II (6)
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