Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-11-10

Of income and wealth is absolutely throw
away. We have abandoned a field Of pro
duction and income that could only bercprc
sented by millions of dollars.
And the second result Of such laws woulC
be TO the advantage of the sportsman. Now
sport is rapidly vanishing thing. gun
is Of no use any more, except TO shoot at q
target. Our fshing-rods are being placed
over the chimney-piece as memorials OF an
ancient enjoyment A few ghosts Of dimin-
utiye trout haunt our streams and are annu-
ally chased by thousands Of sportsmcn, who
only get what the man got who took the
bull by the horns-a little exercise and expc-
renee. Sportsmen invest large sums each
year in fishing aud hunting, and get nothing
but disappointment. The bright sports of
the fields are a thing Of memory. The
pleasure Of the electric thrill Of a handsome
trout striking the hook, is pleasure of
hope that springs eternal in the breast, 4"
to be as cternaly deluded If Simon Peter,
in the desperation of his heart, should now
say, 81 go a fishing" there could not be
found ten wise men who would say, I'VE
will also go with thee Such leadership
could only be born Of despair and accepted
of folly.
Craftsmanship is beautiful and noble
thing. 1t belongs to mans dominion over
the sea aud the land 1t is fruitful of fine
and generous qualities. It develops the
body, and does not harm the soul. 1t is not
a hot dissipation, but an innocent and useful
recreation. God did not make trout for sin
ners, but for the saints and the good Of the
earth. But nowadays it is about as diff
cult to find a trout as It is 10 find a saint.
craftsmanship is dying out because Of our
universal sefshness, because of grasp all
that you can policy" and saintliness is dying
out for the same reason. Selfshness kills
out all of Gods gifts. The innocent and
helpful joys of life are destroyed by the
same graspng, illimitable selhshuess that is
rapidly eviscerating our manhood Of its
duties, its charities and its religion. To
save the pure and celebrating pleasures
recreations, sports and enjoyments Of life, We
must save the fish and game. To save them
we must make them the rightful property OF
legitimate owners. Then our pleasures will
be increased, our riches will be augmented
our duties and charities will be helped and
stimulated. In Gods world all good thing,
hang together, and for that matter, all baC
things also.
We have been led to these reflections 10y
reading paper read before the Vermont
Association for the protection of fish ant
game, at its late meeting, from which moth
ing but imperious engagements kept us, by
| Dr. Middleton Goldsmith, of Rutland 4
is a paper OF so much wit and wisdom, o.
such common sense and sagacity, so replet'
with charms of sentiment ideas and style
that one could wish that it might be pu
into the hands and into the head anC
heart of every man in the state. Tn,
subject, also, is beginning to enlist thu
sympathies, as well as command the atten
ton of the best men in the state. 1t de
serves the earnest thought of our economist
and Of our intelligent men Of all profession
We most heartily commend the matter t.
public consideration. We shall give, occa
sionally, extracts from DIR. Goldsmith,
paper, and only wish it could be put entire
into the houses of all our people.