The New York herald., 1876-09-04


PREPARING TO DEPART FOR AMERICA.
DUBLIN. August % 1875
The members OF tho Irish Centennial team are busy
making preparations tor tho voyage on which they
start next Friday per City of Berlin from Queens
town Since | wrote to you fortnight ago two
changes have been made--drst Mr. Cooper has de-
cared that he arrange to go to America (vou
will remember mentioned HIM as more than doubt
full; second. Lieutenant Ward his place Mr.
Ward is officer IN the Chester Volunteer Corps He
is also manager of coal mine, and his employers
most UNIV ing TO dispense with his services But Ma
lor Leech honestly deserves the credit OF persuad
Mr. Frank Crossey the chairman OF the mining COM
pany, allow him to 60 Mr.. Ward shot well at Wick
low, a the other members OF the team have great
lance on HIM.
The eight who will actually form the firing party will
not be selected until after practice at Creedmoor.
AS you already aware, Major Leech acts as cap
tain, Lieutenant Fenton as adiutant and Mr. f. John
son as honorary secr tary The Lord Mayor and some
other gentlemen OF influence will see them of" upon
their leaving Dublin on Friday morning
Yesterday meeting of the team was held for making
some final arrangements A most courteous letter was
read from Major General Shaer hoping the team would
during the intervals OF practice accept the hospabe
attentions OF the American rifemen. The Irish rife
men felt deeply the Kindness of the letter and hos
duty 10 devote all their attention preparation
for the contest They going to America to honor
'he centennial OF American independence They will
DO this in the bchtting manner by acquitting
themselves OF their task rhcmen the best their
ability Major Leech requested write General
shalcr N TINS
Up they have not all shot together since they
at Wicklow Some o! them have been practising
twice a week at Dollymount Last Saturday johnson,
Miner, Pollock. Greenhill and Dyas there. The
sveragc total number OF points, all round with
shots at each of the three distances, 132, SIS
per cent. Not bad, and regarded by them pledge
sl better things when they get TO America.
Er j. ~ Miner is taking three Irish red setter
dogs which he purposes exhibiting at the Philadelphia
log show
THE DEPARTURE VOYAGE ACROSS
Nino O'Clock on Friday morning the 25th OF August,
was the time and Kngsbridge terminus, Dublin, tho
ccnc OF the departure for New York of the Irish rife
cam From O'Clock all was bustle and conu.
non and the platform OF tho railway depot was
hronged with men their baggage and their
many friends who had to the voyagers
Cod speed" Besides large circle OF private friends,
there were some distinguished ritemen on hand /;
anu the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, who was
present in state, paid the marksmen grace
iul compliment bv being in attendance.
As the nnal check OF the tickets about being
made The Lord Mayor stepped forward and with un-
head addressed MAYOR Leech and his
the following language
MAJOR LEEcH ASD GENTLEMEN or THE IRISH RIFLE
TEAM-lt has afforded me considerable pleasure thus
morEing TO come here In order to WISH you, aud
all, farewell pleasant time and sale return.
CheerS) You are going TO the lar OF West IN order
JON friendly competition with your brethren in
arms aud am sare that ia common effort will all
OF you, your best tCheersl To you. Major Lcech,
my and valued TREND, entirely due the pleasant
iuterchauacs that have already taken place between
tic rincmen OF America and those Ireland and can
assure you sincerely that IT affords especial
pleasure to SET You Tor the second time in the proud
lIAl lffn nf car MIN 81 "A
understand that the treasured trophy you The
A,anuc gam takes the form OF banner and
trust, distant date, to be enabled 10 welcome you
home with great prize waving above your heads
lChccrsl again wish you pleasant time and safe
aud speedy return. tGenewed cheering)
Major Leech. in response, said
My LORD MAyoR-Alow me TO return you our most
paid us IN coming mere at ths early hoGr o. the morn
ing to wsh us God speed Your Lordship not only
represents the feelings OF the ctzens OF Dublin but
10 very large extent those OF the country generally.
We going out as representatives. oi the country
selected from "a band OF irish unemen not numbering
much over twcnty--to Lana whose freedom aud ndo-
penuc1ce We all 30 much honor. (Cheersl Whether
We wiD defeated certain 10 bring back
with treasured recolections OF the kinuncss and
hospitality which TO meet the lar
oil WesL lCnecrsl We 30 TO America not strang-
ers, but rather pay friendly visit brethren
beyond TIE Atlantic (Cheers In gong forward at
this particular period Ireland will be pay ing what am
sure will Ue considered grace ui oomp pimenl to the
great nation WHO this year roJoces TIE Of
lne hundredth celebration OF her independence.
lChccrs) ! again thank you most heartily, My Lord
sheers.l
Tue train then drew out of the terminus amid the
hearty cheers OF the assembled company.
There feature vi interest IA the down TO
Queenstown except that at several tue along
lhe route large crowds assembled and oheered
passed by The lnman leader lost time stcaming
across Corks beautiful harbor and by half past iour
O'Clock louuQ ourselves board the Cy ol Berlin,
the largest OF tue lnman eet OF ocean steamers Tho
trst evening at sea was one ot the most unpleasant
aurby the voyage as there was SO much confusion
all sidea However before supper time matters some
mendod, and when the fastnct Light lost the
members OF the team and their friends enabled
10 indicate nth passabe accuracy the Whereabouts OF
Their traps ana sleeping Apartments The shooting
men were allotted the uow aeCknousc which
dinary occasions IS the Cliy OF Bcrns hospital Tue
shin much crUwusG and IL was found ncccs-
eary to have sets OF each OF the .hree meals per
diem Breakfasts served eight and uine
O'Clock. urcbcon at midday, dinncr at Two and ave
O'Clock tea eight O'Clock and supper at ten The
time spent upon the water desert passed pleasantly
enough though for some days he weather was 80 bad
as 10 nsIdcrab.y the many amuscmcrts
which were started during the voyage to Mi time
The team men ana party amused themselves IN the day
time principally at shuttle board, quos, 'notte" ana
shooting Nth Popc's ar riue, "he ia the evening
cards reading draGghts backgammon sud chess occu
ptod their attention. A ''tug OF waT was productive
OF considerable lun, and Messrs Dyas and Warn per-
formed yeomcns service for Ac irish end oi the rope
On FRIDAY evening last there was grand concert
sfyen ths AID o tho iunds OF the Liverpool
Sailors orphans Home. Tue affair proved success
ma brought IL Tor the iaiherless aod mOheress
MAJOR Lccch presided. and made capissi chairman
Ia his introuuctory remarks ne made AT IN the rect
alton OF Dean Swilts famous charity sermon Tue
Dean once called on 10 preach IN dublin IN ara
He WHO giveth tho poor endcth 10 the Lord, and
simply asked his congregation, u they lkcl tue sccur
lty TO put down the dust Dr. Mclaughlin ana Dr.
Allsoni added consdcrably TO the enjoyment OF The