New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-28

the files a few days back and refresh your memory.
So much for the preliminaries Yesterday the most
of the Team went to Wimbledon and took up
quarters in the camp in spite Of the rain that con-
tinued TO fall But their camp rather figuratIve
than literal az they came back to the city to sup
and sleep and breakfast. 1t is only an hours jour
ncy from the railway station in the heart OF London
to the camp ground at Wimbledon, and any man
who would stay under canvas in this weather when
he was paving for good bed in large hotel would
be a first class ass. They tried few shots yester
day but did nothing Of Importance. The real event
was fixed for 2:3O o'clock this afternoon.
The rain fell when rose this morning, and it pat
tered so hard on the tiled roof n level with my
window that looked ont in hopes of seeing the
shower of pitchforks and cats and dogs that used
to hear of in my boyhood. Though saw no piuvial
hardware or feline and canine animals that had
dropped from the weeping Clouds did see fright
fpl quantity of water that came down as though a
Central Park reservoir had broken loose up aloft.
thought of Wimbledon and of the professional ne
cessity that called nee there, and devoutly wished
that was somebody else. But there was no help
for it, and about went in the still falling rain
and waterproof coat to the railway, and soon
alighted at Wimbledon. Paying a shilling, l en-
tered the grounds and looked around.
There were pools and patches of water, and in adj
dition to these pools and patches, there were mud
puddles without number. All the ground that was
visible was wet and SOFT and you could see men
walking around after the manner Of turkeys prom
cnadng in a mortar bed There was quite an array OF
tents and readily believed the statement that nearly
4. 600 men were in camp at Wimbledon. The ground
was field level or nearly so ard the further side
were the targets in front Of the earthly mounds that
receive the bullets, and must pick up great deal OF
al in fba of he
camp there were several hUts, partly of boards and
partly of canvas and in some instances entirely OIL
boards There is an extensive restaurant III one OF
these huts and there are several shops for the sale OF
articles likely TO find market III shooting camp.
Then there are the headquarters OF the various
officials of the camp, and there is telegraph Office
p0st-0ffice, p windmill for pumping water tout OF
Difference to the weather the machine was not at
work. and there il whole forest of fiagstatS from
which flOated reasonable number OF bann"s'
Diyested of the rain and mud and the general muss
that continued wet weather produces, Wimbledon
might be pretty place.
So bad was the mud and water that heard sew
eral proposals for swimming and wading matches
and ii was reported that orders had been issued for
tieevpulsiOn Of al nOn-swimmcrs out of regard 70
their preservation. Several of the tents that were
on low ground have been drowned out III the past
two DAYS and some Of the occupants suffered serious
damage to their property. From the gate TO
the tents a track has been laid down,
and o traIn-car carries yOu for threeponce over
portion of the watery way. The vehicle IS open ana
like an overgrown auntin gear and it is drawn ny
horse at the end of long towrope that reminds YOU
of lite on the "ragng canawl' as the beast goes on
"A SOFT of towpath at the side IL the rain keeps UP
another week, boat will doubtless take the place
/ ~. ND no lor nd
found in excellent training.
The rain had put Il stop to the shooting, and the
most of the people visible were hudded where they
could find shelter, like flock OF hens under calt
in shower Col. Gildcrseeve Informed me that The
match had been postponed till Wednesday next, be-
cause of the rain, which made it impossible to paint
over the sho-marks the iron targets. He told he
the Team had been most Hospitality received
by the officials Of the camp and were
invited to dine tomorrow with Lord
Wharrcliffc and make a general examination Of TIC
camp and its surroundings. They were camped
close to the Irish Team. and while we we've talking
We were joined by johnson, Foster, Creenhili,
Walker and others of our Dublin friends, 80 that It
began to look like the good old times Of three weeks
ago. 1t was the hour of lunch and the party adj
journed through the mud and along the few pianks
which the authorities have spread in the worst
places, to the restaurant.
The match for the Eloho Shield comes of next
week and then the camp will be closed There is
still tqlk Of something that may match the American
Team against The Others, but dent think it will
amount to anything. The Team (ours VIII oacia'e
between Wimbledon and London tai the end Of the
shooting season, aud few days later will make a
flying trip 10 Paris and some other Continental
cities They sail for home the 10Th of August, 20
that you will doubtless have The pleasure Of greeting
them in iSew-Yor about the DIST, and they deserve
a very hearty greeting-the best that New-YOrk can
give.