The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-05
How the American Team Enjoyed Them
selves in the Green lsIe
Festive Doings Previous to
the Great Battle.
Uncongenial Weather Set at
Naught by Irish Hospitality.
FIRST PRACTICE AT THE RANGES.

the American rinemen unhappy as the amiabe
Major Leech and his colleagues manifest In en-
deavoring to amuse them. Yesterday morning
Colonel GIlderseeve and his men, filed with
ambition for good days practice, were just about
starting from the shelbourne Hotel for the target
ground at 'Dollymount" when the downpourlng
foods compelled them to beat a precipitate re-
treat to the hotel. Thus cribbed and confined amid
the gloomy splendor OF a smoking saloon where
the servants steal about as mysterously as II
some one were dying in the next room or con-
demned to the narrow limits OF parlor from
whose windows one sees only msts ana pedes-
TRANS hurrying through them, the team has had
an excellent chance to lose its temper, but has
resolutey relrained from doing so. Not even the
overwhelming zeal Of the local tradesmen, who
have habit OF sending written circulars contain
ing interesting information about shirts, socks,
dress SUITS, &C.. TO every member OF the team,
has resulted in provoking anything more than
good-natured comment, although 1t Is q severe
task to examine the small mountains OF mail
matter heaped around the visitors daily.
THE VISIT TO THE LORD MAYOR.
The visit TO the Lord Mayor on Sunday even
ing, the goth, one OF the pleasantest episodes
Of the sojourn IN Dublin. The worthy Mayor had
extended an invitation to the team and It's friends
to meet mis- family in one OF the parlors OF the
Mansion House, and at nine O'CLOCK in the evening
the Americans were ushered into the hall or the
modest MayoralJy, and, escorted by footman
with powdered hair, were presented TO the Lady
Mayoress, who, in her turn, introduced the fortu-
nate r1emen to bevy CT charming and sprightIy
young ladies'. The occasion was exceedingly
md frOr rs
OF the team learned that they were the observed
Of all observers.
..Tnere never was any visit here before that was
30 much spoken Of" said one.
Except that of the Danes" said some one else.
ayes, but they stayed several centuries, ana we
mad ample time during those long years to find
out All the faults in their character"
MAJOR LEEcH.
Major Leech has just issued his book called
"Irish Rl1emen in America" readable veume,
which contains many interesting particulars con-
corning the history OF rife matches both in
Ireland and England, as well as appreoative and
thoughtful comments on American institutions
and grateful notices OF the kndnesses which the
Irisp team received In the United states. On my
arrival In Dublin 1 sought out the Major among
his books ana papers at his pleasant apartments,
Morrlsons Hotel found him almost submerged
by constantly rising flood OF communications,
Of every possible Character about the match and
its attendant festivities. can hardly better illus
trate the difficulties attendant upon the arrange
ments Tor this international trial OF skill
tnan by stating that Tor one single ex-
curslon down Dublin Bay, Tor which
some thirty Invitations were to be issued, there
were received, either directly or indirectly,
nearly fifteen hundred applications. Major Leech's
tall form was bent over q mass OF correspondence
and his servant was bringing in a fresh bundle OF
letters as l entered. The captain OF the Irish
team was profuse in his expression Of thanks for
the attention which he and his friends had re-
ceived from the HERALD, while they were in New
York. and he had not yet ceased TO wonder at the
ingenuity with whicn.tne diagrams showing TIE
positions OF the shots on the targets were Con-
structed. He has copied these diagrams in his
volume and in the preface gracefully returns
thanks to Mr. Bennett for the privilege OF using
them. He has made the study OF rifle practice
his principal and .all-absorbing pursuit Tor SO
many years that | asked him to outline briefly
for me his connection with the sport This he
willingly did and give the tale much as 1t was
told TO me.
THE MAJORS CONNECTION WITH THE SPORT
The MAJORS hair and beard are white, bat he is
still Young enough to have walked lasG year from
Dublin to Holyhead, a distance OF 2S6 miles, in
eleven days, and could do 1t again. He is as
every one In Ireland and has an extensive ac-
quaintance In ali parts OF the Kingdom. Wher-
ever his tall form is seen towering above the rest
OF mankind in some English or Irish town the
residents know that sport is not far behind.
Major Leecn was intended for the law and stud
ed creditably ana successfully for IT, He spent
number OF years in India and is some what noted
Ms the first man to annul the prohibition long
maintained against Irish lawyers at the Bombay
Bar. Only Westminster men and the Scotch were
allowed TO practise in the Indian presidencies
until Major Leech, by tact and energy managed
TO do away with the invldious distinction estap-
lshed against his countrymen. He return ed TO his
native land more than twenty years ago. intending
TO begin practice at the English Bar; out at the
earnest solicitation OF his old and valued friend,
the late Mr.. Cooper, oil Mackree Castle he became
that gentleman's land agent in 1862, and held the
position for ten years, although IL was hardly con-
genial TO his dispo .itlon, ana he performed It's
duties out OF compliment to his friend. About
the year 1859, wnen the volunteers began to be
Enown in England, Major Leech conceived the
idea OF founding companies OF them in ireland.
This he alterward abandoned and devoted him.
self TO the formation of the Irish volunteer regi.
ment in London. He aided largely In raising IL,
and refused all commissioned rank in IT, and
Joined as private, as many other gentlemen
did at that time. He was, however, shortly adj
vanced 10 the grade of captain IN which capacity
ne raised the company known as the West End.
He was subsequently presented by It's members,
at a banquet IN London, with beautiful silver
tanKard. On the death OF the Major of the regi-
ment the then Captain Leech was induced
10 accept The vacant field oficer's place.
The Elcho Shield was then annually
offered to be competed for by the
English and Scotch volunteer rinemen. The
match was subsequently opened TO other than
volunteers, being what Is known as ''sfna-
bore. long range match" for the purpose OF de-
Gliding as to the respective merits OF long range
riies In general. Major Leech was anxious that
an Irish team should take part in the match, and,
after some years OF pressure on the authorities,
the gallant Major succeeded In 1855. in producing
the first team OF Irsnmen ever assembled at
Wlmbledon. Major Leech had nomlnated the
Marquis OF Donegal as the captain OF the team,