The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-03-04

"inutiiS up WIN udtiCo ny uioOhitSu'
and lanternlight. Mr.. Langley is the
owner of magnificent yacht, which
during the festivities, lay off shore with
companion craft, both lighted from
stem to stern with strings of Chinese
lanterns.
The marksmen all 60 to Creedmoor
the National Guard Rife Range which
| described in my recent letter on the
militia. 1t is wonderful what furOre
has developed over this sport, and on q
pleasant day in the summer and autumn
it is strange if in walk of half a mile
one does not encounter one or more
young men, over rsmiddle-aged men for
that matter, carrying formidable rife
boxes and en- route for Creedmoor.
Long Island, upon the western ex-
tremity of which Brooklyn is situated,
presents exceptional advantages for gum
ming; its miles of scrub oak woods, long
sandy expanses, numerous land-locked
lakes and innumerable bays affording
fine coves for game of the smaller kind,
for though some deer are still to be
found at the eastern end they are about
extinct, having yielded to the encroach-
ments of man.
But foxes are plenty in some sections,
aud where they are not the want can
easily be supplied by importation if a
hunt is wanted for excitement sake; and
hence we find two "hunts" established on
the Island, though one the Queens
County Hunt, has for some reason or
other, probably a desire to be within
easy accessof fashionable city, decided
to move to WestchesSer County, Just
above New York City. Ihave called the
other Club "bunt," though its purpose
is wider and is .embraced in the title
of the Southampton Sportsmen's Club.
Southampton is trihe over ninety miles
from the city, and there the Club has a
preserve of five hundred acres, with the
use in, addition of five hundred acres,
owned by Capt. J. R. Rose.
Until within few days the members
have directed their attention to ducks,
quail and rabbits, but the accession to
their number of Mr.. Henry M. Leve-
rich, who is also a member of the
Queens County Hunt, turned their at
tention to fox hunting, and the result
has been "hunt' which was so much
enjoyed that, as foxes are abundant in
that locality, fox hunting will doubtless
become prominent feature of the
Clubs sports. The Club assemblies at
Mr.. G. w. Whittaker's beautiful place,
which the Club makes place of general
rendezvous, and where, on this occasion,
the members found seventeen hounds,
English and American, and, by the way,
the latter destroyed the most bottom, and
thirteen English settlers awaiting them
But the 'meet" took place at Towd's, on
Pecouic Bay, and there the start was
made at o'clock in the morning after a
night Of storm.
The trail of a fox was finally discov-
cred by the dogs, whose baying became
an incentive to the horsemen, swho,
through woods and laurel bushes, over
hills and through dells, and over plains
follows the pack until, at last, after a
run of eight miles in a straight line rey-
lluIu Was Tuu uOWll duu LIS Uiuou OU-
tanned on Jessup's Neck.
From one standpoint this is cruel
sport alike for horses and fox.
and may be- characterized as anything
but manly. But despite the influences
of civilization man has savage instincts
that crave satisfaction, and will have it.
Now I know ought to have ieft more
space to dwell upon politics, but you are
likely to have SO much of it within the
next seven months from all sides that my
conscience approves my course. l may
say in word that three-fourths of the
Republican leaders of the State are
pleased with the action of the Utica Con-
vention in favor ofGrant. The body of
the people will vote eagerly for Grant,
and he is generally looked upon asa thor
oughly available candidate. Indeed, if
he is nominated he will be enthusiastic
ally supported by every Republican and
not few Democrats. At the same time
should Blaine be nominated he will, as
no one else so far mentioned except
Grant, develop the full Republican
strength Of the State. CRAs.