The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-01-26
Delmeulce and the sportmen's Cius-A Great

Fuss About a Little Trout.
Delmonico, the traditional caterer, OF more
Importance to dinner Of state than the guests
themselves, has fallen into middle with the
New York Sportsmen's Club, through the reve-
lations of an editor Of the Citizen, who most
likely Is not accustomed 10 trout either In
season or out of it The facts are curious
Some time since breakfast to General Sherl-
dan was given at Delmonico's. 1t being no
season for trout, and the guests wanting trout
regardless of times and seasons, Delmonico's
s.subs"-for the king of caterers was not in
the country-were at some pains to procure
trout, thus exhibiting an enterprise which can
not be too highly commended to restaurant
managers. Sheridan partook Of trout out OF
season so did the guests in general; 80 did,
no doubt, the editor Of the Citizen, who, dis
corning no difference in fish, ate thereof, and
was not aware OF the quality Of the fish until
after he had partaken. We are not informed
as to which editor Of the paper was present.
II might have been the dramatic j. 1t might
have been the psalm singer Of the immortal
weekly it might have been the sporting edi-
tor it might have been him of The Sportsmens
Club who was betrayed into gulping trout out
Of season-though certainly member of the
Club should have known his trout at sight 1t
might have been either Of these or some
other, for weekly journals are sometimes re-
markable for the number and industry OF their
editors. II matters not. The deed was done,
and 1t was enough. Remorse of conscience
followed, demonstrating the editorial inca
pacity tor swallowing even so small matter
as trout without conjunction of conscience
and due apology to the animal swallowed.
The trout was defunct when il came into tho
hands Of the cook, therefore there could be
no complaining to Mr.. Bergh, except on
the ground Of cruelty to those that ate
It; the trout had been eaten and was half
digestcd, therefore there could be no amend
ing Of tho misdeed except with tartar emetic-
an antidote not good to take after breakfast.
The next best thing was done. The editor
lodged formal complaint with the New York
Sportsmen's Club; made affidavit that he had
unwitsingly eaten trout out OF season, and that,
too, at Delmonico's; swOre that the military
digestion Of the gallant Sheridan had been
compelled to digest trout out Of season; averred
that the guests in general had breakfasted
on trout out OF season. and prayed that legal
proceedings might be instituted against Del
monlco, not to compel him to take back the
trout aud refund, but TO compel him TO furnish
gratis breakfast OF trout in season by way Of
apology for what could not be mended.
In this matter Delmonico has slyly outwitled
his prosecutors, who are likely to be done out
of tho longcd-for trout breakfast as well as out
Of the suit for dsgrsnt violation of the game
laws The smooth gentleman has, in express
i've phrase, proved "too many for them, and
IN recent letter Of apology declare. that he
was out OF the country at the time, that the
poor trout eaten out Of season has his warmest
sympaihies, that he himself belongs to the
Southside Club, at Islip, and that the sub "
who did the trout to death and after il was dead
has been duly reprimanded. The New York
Sportsmen's Club has been, therefore, adroitly
fianked, and the breakfast of trout in season is
lost
Meantime, we must advise Delmonico that
the whole matter is wrong. II is American to
have trout at all seasons, aad Americans are
free people and will have their own way The
Gar Of Russia used to import foreign fish in
tubs Of water and alive at all seasons and
there is no reason why Delmoaico should not
be the Gar OF catercrs-an autocrat in trout
trade, serving hem at what season he likes.
Let Delmonico stand bis ground, therefore, and
decline TO be done either legally or illegally
ont Of the coveted brs akfast.