New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-07
WINTER SPORTS IN CANADA.

PLEASURES md USES OF SNOW-ShOEING
ORIGIN or THE PICTURESQUE UNIFORM OF HE
CLUBs-coNsTRUCTIoS or TIN sNoW-sHoE-IIs
UNIVERSAL UEE-DEsCRIPTIoN or SNOW
SHOE TRAMP "a SCENE FOR PAINTERS MAS
TERPTECE-THE INDEscRiBABLE CHARMS OF HE
CANADIAN NATIONAL SPORT.
vpou Az occAsIoNAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRrBUNE.l
MONTREAL Feb. 2G.-Almost the first thing that
strikes the stranger who happens to Visit MONTREAL
in the Winter-time is figure clad IN white
blanket-coat knickerbOckers with long scarlet or
bIpe mr. purple stockings shod with mocassins. and
WEARING on his head gaY-coiored =" tuque" and
carving pair Of snOwshOes under his arm or slung
over his shoulder. These figures are met at every
turn and at all fines, though most frequently on
Saturday afternoons. and they are as numerous Us
the little red legged soldiers in France or beggars
in italy and vastly more picturesque than either
The blanket.coat and the bright stockings and the
tame form the uniform of the SnOwshoe Clubs,
each club being distinguished by the color of the
tuaue. and in some cases, by the lining of the
hoods of the coats and their wearer II he have his
snowshoes with him. IS probably about to set out on
tramp with his cldb, or il he be without them. is
doubtless bent on tobogganing or some kindred
amusement. for the costume, because OF IFS warmth
and its comfort is in nearly every SOFT OF ont
door winter sport. Like everything else about
snOwshoehg, the costume IS the outcome OF the
prominently adapted to its purpose. The snowshoe
itself is said to be one of the three things which arc
not susceptible Of improvement II don't remember
what ara the other tw0 and the snOwshoer's dress
ia as well fitted to its wearers needs as arc his
shoes The coat is made from a white blanket cut
rather short with the red and blue border running
round the bottom of the coat and round the sleeves
making a bright-colored cuff; 1t has high collar
which may be turned up and hood lined with blue
or scarlet which may be put over the head In crV-
ing and which forms perfect protection against
wind and snow. Around the waist Is worn SASH,
woven sometimes of q single color, sometimes OF
half dozen. Beneath the coat one wears couple
Of warm Jerseys or what is known to rowing men
n n u sweater Knickcrbookcrs are commonly sup
nosed TO be as chilly form Of apparel in cold
weather as Highlanders kilt, but this the Cana
dian snowshoer obviates by wearing two or three
nairs of long worsted stockings one over the other
and outside of them all a short pair, which may be
turned down the mocassins to Keep out tho sou
spow The mocassins are captally suited to their
work for they allow plenty OF play TO the toot
and do not interfere with the circulation, both very
essential conditions. One could not manage snow
shoes at all in an ordinary SHOE and he would In
fallibly have his feet frozen. The tuque is simply
knitted woolen cap, in shape like a Iberty-cap OF
Neapolitau fishers cap, and being long and roomy
can be drawn down so as to protect the ears. The
advantages of the costume arc obvious enough. 1t
IL warm. very light the coat weighs almost moth
iuq and II permits the utmost freedom OF move
ment,
This uniform grew very gradually into its present
form. Originally the clubs had no particular uni
form. Mocassins were always worn, for they were
n necessity but most OF the other articles which
compose the dress OF to-day were unused, though
not unknown. The blanket-coat became known TO
the clubs through one which was brought down
from the Northwest, where they aro worn by the
Trainers and hunter, and lumbcrmen Its light
ess and warmth commended il to the clubs always
ready TO seize on a good idea, aud II was quickly
adopted. The tuque met with more opposition.
In its original shape, 1t was little mor' than blue
wOollen niRhtcap. and formed the invaIiahlc head
dress of the "habitants,' or Frerch-CanadlAn
country people. 1t was perfectly familiar object
and il was neither appreciated nor admired But a
stray tnque happened 10 fall into the hands Oi a
member of the Montreal Club. who was not allow 10
perceive ITS immense advantage over the hot ana
stny fur caps in general ice among he members.
Here WAS a cap that was light and warm. without
being too warm. which kept the head perfectly
comfortable without causing preparation as tine lur
Gang did ana allowed certain amount of ventila-
ton which they did mt. Its adoption was urged
ON the club Oh purely practical grounds; rs
present picturesqncncss was quite matter OF ac-
cident and great surprise to the person VINO
caused it, When the question oil the adoption oi
t,s hlue tnaue WAS voted Oh by the Montreal
Climb il was found that there was very strong oI'-
posloa to it, and 10 the debate one Of the strongest
ornaments OF tho project moved as an amendment
to cast ridicue OH the whole business. that red
cord and tassel be added tn the tuquc' The sup
porters OF the tuque seeing that If the amendment
were rejected the original motion would bc lost TOO,
accepted it, greatly to the surprise and disgust oil
the mover and carried it, and the tuque along with
H. Now it proves to be precisely the scarlet cOId
and tasse1 which gives the tuque its character and
its pcturesuueness. ! do not know how the ret of
the costume came 10 be adopted by the club hut
the blanket.coat and the tuque arc the two most
important articles and after they wero
adopted by the Montreal. the oldest Of the snow
shoe clubs. the others followed suit. and the cos
tune, as we have il now became general.
FORM And USE OF THa sNow-suoE.
The materials OF which snowshocs composed
seem TO be the same e7crywhero-that IL, very
light bat strong wooden frame covered With net
work Of deer-hde--bnt the form varies with the
different localities and with the differing Occupa-
tons OF the weaTe-s. In the Northwest they
six or seven feet long, and only foot or fifteen
inches vide in the Northeast. the other hand.
they are perfectly round. broader than they
are long, and three feet or more across Between
these extremes, which afford choice of evils.
whether one should carry about whole lumber
yard on his feet or be compelled to stand with his
| legs straddling over rather than yard Of
ground, arc to be found snOwshOes OF nearly every
| imaginable SIZE shape and weight and suited TO
every conceivable purpose. There is tie fiat oval
shoe OF the "hsbtaDt," about yard long by
eighteen inches wide, with its heavy frame and
coarse netting fitted for any kind OF rough work and
strong enough to last life time. There is the
hunting shoe as large the "habitants "but turned
up little ut the toe and somewha lighter aud mar
rorrar IN nerlnt of faster travelling INT stiI atrnn