Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-08-21

The Pleasures oil the W0OcS.
There is strange charm for the jewellers
in town living awhile hand-in- hand with
Nature all day long-in watching her grad
ual changes, the birth of morning, the sun
rise newly dressed each day, the fading twl-
light, the growth of storms. the loneliness OF
form and color in wood and waye-all de-
lightful, and even more 50 when the camp
circle chanes to possess an artist or two, and
enough of science to weight the talk little
at time. 1t is well also to have always some
little purpose in the wood beside mere pleas
ure. Some men like the gun and the rod;
prefer the latter, but have friends who IND
uneeasing pleasure in the pursuit of botany.
Photography would be the best of wood-pur-
suits if only it involved less cumbrous bag
gage; but for those who sketch, that is IA
surprising gain. A book or two of geology
is also desirable, and have found it conven-
lent and agreeable to carry in small case Il
compass and barometer and minimum Their
mometer, and, if possible, a simple micro
scope. All these little aids help 10 pass away
the hours which nuthing can make heavy or
wearisome. | may add another hint; too few
sketch, and, have always carried a note
book, in which have found great delight,
not merely in noting the days pursuits, but
in sketching with the pencil in words the
scenes through which have passed. 1t is a
capital exercise, and it is curious to see how,
when You sit down and try to put in words
Just what You see before you, 1t fixes the
landscape forever in your memory.
While speaking of mems ways in camp, |
should not neglect to say how much fits en-
joyment comes Of the contact with the
guides, woodmen and trappers and the sim
/ ple-minded, manly folk who live on the out
posts Of ciyilizati0n-''t the lords Of the AK and
the rifle One friend at least who may read
this paper will recall our guide at the Pct
ured Rocks-a gnarled. rugged old fellow,
by turns lumberman on the wild Nladaw-
ska. beayer-hunter who believed in beavers
more than in men, a sergeant in Berdan'S
sharpSho0terS, and now a lake-sailor, guide
and hunter-a keen eye with the rifle, gal
liant and cool in storms on the lake, a capt.
tai cook and endles-ly merry and full of good
talk over the campfire at night lie will
recall, too, Mr.. 8, our guide on the
north shore, with his keen scent of the
profitable pine tree, his amazing certainty as
a wood-guide, and his quaint tales of finds
among the pine woods or Of mineral wealth
on the shores of lake and river. The forests
of Maine are full Of the finest specimens of
such men nor do | know any better thing
than to float down the lovely Alegash with
Dan Kennedy, guide and woolman, in the
stern Of the canoe. and to hear with the
plash OF his paddle his clever chat Of moose
and bear and numbering and the ways of fish,
and Scornful talk Of .'kanucks' and I'm
juns.'
1t is well To- say here that he who means
to live awhile in the woods will do well to
be careful as to whom he chooses As a guide
In Maine especially the least exercise Of
caution or Il little inquiry will ensure a sue
ces~ful choice. ~ to companions, cheerful,
pleasant, and unSeli>h, one can rarely 20 a.
tray IN choosing; but since in many wood
journeys the traveller life Is or may be in
peril. or put to great inconvenience and dis
comfort. if he has not for guide an expert
cnced person. too much care cannot be used.
some Of my friends will recall how narrow
an escape we once made on Lake Superior.
owing largely to an incompetent sailor, and
on the other hand remember with constant
pleasure the dextcrogS and gallant fellows
who have been with me again and again on
the quick waters Of the Allcsa>h and the
great =. Johns.
30 not wish or pretend % give directions
as to the needed OUTFIT for camp-lile. which
may be better learned from any of the many
books which describe the fishing in North
America. There are. however. one or twp
things which. as physician pointing out
;1l-.ittlc used means Of health-get;ing, |
cannot afford 10 pass over, since in the books
alluiel To- they are scarcely mentioned. As
regards clothing, never - into the woods
without flannel garments. II Is well, no
matter how cool 1t be. u partially unire~s
AT night. relying upon a rubber blanket Dee
ncath and TWO good wo0llen blankets. one
over and one under YOU. fir warmth. \
caoutchouc pillow i, also a great gain. both
Us q heairc~t at night and To sit on in the
DAYTIME especially in boat or canoe. Il j.
We. a.-l 10 make il a rule 81 the party. 10
matter how cold be the water, to battle dai-
ly. h-hiuC-camTs generally there i some
neglect %. c.eanlineSs-the debris of meals /
leit about and lack of care in daily airing
the blankets. Il j, wise. therefore. to shift
tie tcIt~ every three or four days 10 thew .
Er0uni-a precaution which is rarely used .
and should never Doe neglectei-N u. +
Nri'4. az L'ypwoau's Mqga-inD
Oue of the lea-; Aatterin- tribute, ever
paid % rising young artist has been paid .
% % Cincinnati dauher bv Western critic
I'd He possesses some merits as an artist, but .
/, is hard to ~av whether j, lies in land>cape
lr marine painting YOU never can tell his
COWS from his ships except when they have
their tails exalted. when the absence of spar-