The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-22
L A G r o S S E.
The Band Of Canadian Players
Landed in Ireland.
A Cordial Reception and Satisfactory
Performance.
SCORE OF THE FIRST GAME.

BELFAST, May TO- 1875
The celebrated bana OF lacrosse players from Canada
made their first appearance Irish soil TO day. and
may at once say that their reception most cordial
and their own performance most satisfactory.
rhE DAys.
This Is not, however, the first presentation OF tho
Canadian national game this side OF the Atlantic
About nine or ten years ago troupe OF eighteen
IroqnoIs Indians visited England under tho charge OF
Captain Johnson, with the view OF introducing la
crossc to tho favorable notice OF English young
The gamc itself must DO ancicnt-how ancient,
who dare ssys There Is episode in its his
tory which may we'll claim for It, among Englishmen
At least, than the passing interest OF curiosity
when they by the sight OF its Indian per-
formers, with their feathers and mocassins, their
painted faces and their wrought In beads
and hair.
A CANE
On the 4th OF June 1853 being the anniversary ofthe
birthday Of King George Ill, monster match was
played between braves from tho three tribes Of tho
Dcawarcs, the ottawax and tho Shawnces, under tho
Indian chief Pontiac, the object bong to lu the sus
pcions Of the garrison Of fort Mchlmacknac Do
troit Tho ruso succeeded. Tho English soldiers
watched the game with the curious interest attaching
TO novelty. They quite put OIL their guard The
ball was II by accident tossed several times within
had been laid rest by the seeming harmlessness Of
tho Indians movements. At length, at preconccrcd
signal they rushing tho gate in pursuit Of
tho ball. tho squaws who had gradually congrcgated
about tho gate handed thcm their tomahawks, &c.
Tho Indian Warriors armed, rushed upon tho
defencecss soldiery and massacre cnsuod
such as reader Of Kenmore Cooper can
imagine without difficulty But tho entrance
to tho inner fortiAcation was secured in time
and many OF the Indians paid tho penalty OF their
treacherous astuteness Perhaps II ought to be men,
toned, to the credit Of the Indian gentlemen now
within tho pulo OF British hospitality, that OF their
ancestors involved in this terrible deed, the
Iroquos having refused TO join In the conspiracy.
ANTIQUITY
But long before 1863 the game was a national and
popular among all tho tribes Of tho redskins The
Jesuit Churicvoix Of the most interesting and
Liable OF the early North American travellers tho
| game played by tho Algonquins on tho shores Of
tho ST. Lawrence, somewhere between Quebec and
Three Rivers Still the game Is said to have anguished,
owing, doubt to the rapid disappearance Of tho
aborig,nas, until about 1856 some whito men were
moved to take up In 1850, at tho timeof tho visit
Of the Prince Of Wales TO America It was played before
him. Early in 1867, when the project
OF confederation OF tho British Provinces
/ about becoming fat accompl,' Or. G. w. Beers,
ncously with tho proclamation OF tho Dominion OF
Canada, lacrosse should DO adopted the Canadian
national game. The suggestion adopted. Clubs
formed all the country, and 1t became
securely established the national sport Of the Do
minion But forget that writing not for Irish
men, but to the continent which Is the homo of Ia
crosse su q. tbs risk Of seeming rccoqxere cfambem
| must recall t-
CANE PLAYED.
| The present company 10 composed OF two tenms-one
composed oftwelvc Iroquo the other Of twelve Cana
dian gentlemen. At each end Of the ground which
the game IL played stands goal, consisting Of two
poles about six feet high and tho distance apart
Each pole Is surmountcd by silk banner. The ban
ners Of goal bue OF the other orange. These
four flags belong the Canadans they about $780,
and were ny the team three years succession.
Each Of tho players has for his weapon OF action
scrossen-a name clearly bestowed by the French Ca
nadians by OF Its resemblance to bishops
crozicv called in French 1t Is four feet
long, very light made OF tough ash hickory. 1t Is
curved like croz,er, and from tho point Of tho
or crook to about half way up tho handle there is
spread network Of caigut thongs OF mooseskin.
On this piece Of netting the ball Is caught variety
OF ways and borne thrown by tho player d.
rection Of the goal While player making on with
the ball tho members OF the opposite team at get
into his and do their utmost knock the ball
on his When he finds himself surrounded by
opponents, or in any other way prevented from
tnung his with the ball. he either pitches II 70
OF his own team, who at oncc starts OF with II In
the direction, he throws II forward toward tho
goal Ono standing rule is that the netting must be
tcnsc must DO perfectly Nat when the ball Is It,
not in any way bagScd. This, OF course,
ENHANCES DIFFICULTY CARRYING THE
at racing pace The ball is made OF sponge inda-rub
Der, and weighs about four No player, except
tho goal keepers, touch tho ball with the hand
Players cannot catch hold OF one another strike
trip, but they arc permitted to shoulder when en-
dcavoriug scrimmage to get the ball. Three or
games decide the match aud after each game the
players change sides.
SIMPLICITY.
Ono delightful feature OF the game Is It's sim
The match whether you arrive early or late you can al
once sympathixc with the sport No telegraph has to
be watched and no score scduIously kept To enjoy
the game you have only to watch the players they
pass under your eye.
The following IS the composition Of
THE CANADIAN TEAM
which has come ovcr-Dr W. G. Beers. captain Mr.
". Beckett, goal keeper; Mr. G, 5. HubbeII, point;
Mr.. d. T. Bowie neId; Mr. 4. u. Hodgson, field; Mr.
W. Q. Ross, Held Mr. Angus Grant, ncld; Mr.. J. sum.
merhays. ncid; NJ y. =, kalson, homes Mr. 4 w.
Greene. home; Mr.. II. Mass,ah, secretary
They are all remarkably well formed men, hthc Of
themselves fully the match Of their competitors The
list includes fifteen nancs Only twelve. however,
play; tho remaining three provision against acct
dent Inc following particulars about thcsc gentlemen
may not he without interest
Dir. r. W. Bcckctt--t;oa keeper OF tho Montreal club
first twelve Is FIRST class gylnnast and Of the beat
hurdle In Canada
Mr. d. f. Bowie, N. A. b. G. Is-Barrister. Is ono Of
the best lacrosse players and jumpers IN Canada and
has won many prizes IN foot aud snowshoo races,
Gliding cup. value El0o, given Tor competition Tor
graduates OF the United states ana Canadian UNIVERSE
Mr. W. s. Masscy-A very graceful lacrosse player
aud crack sprint and hurdle runner foot and
shoes.
Mr. T. @. Kalston-Formcrly member OF the Mon
trca first twelve, and scientific player; the
best amateur quarter milo runner In Canada
Mr. G. Struihcrs-A very cool and reliable player,
even IN the most exciting moments OF this most cx-
citing game, capital gyTnnasL
me- I. u. Hodgson-in addition 70 being a nne la
crosse player, won the Montreal Snow shoe Club Cup
last YEAR