Year: 1877

SuVL buC vvVEsus


The last presentation was that of the
Wimbledon Cup to Mr.. Dudley Selph,
by Sir Henry Halford. President Stan
ton, in introducing Sir Henry, sketched
the history of the cup, which was placed
1875 at Wimbledon as an Offering from
the National Rifle Association OF Great
Britain to the National Rifle Association
of America. Sir Henry said;


"Genlemen and Officers Of the National Rifle


Associations


"You have done me the honor Of
making me the medium Of presentation
of this cup. lam glad, as it gives me
the opportunity Of recalling to our
minds the circumstances which called
it into existence and explains it's ap-
pearance ON your list of annual prizes
at Creedmoor. But, first, I would cor
rect what seems to me an error into
which Gen. Woodward has fallen when
he undertakes the Importance Of long
range, as compared with what Is done
and should be done in military arms.
Now, it will not do to kick down the
ladder which has led US to the present
pitch of excellence in military shoot
ing. You must not forget that the
skill shown and interest in scientific
rifle shooting has been of incalcula-
BILE value in the work Of raising the
standard in all classes of arms. Had it
mot been for the progress in this special
line we might have still been working
away with the old Brown Bess.' I
trust, therefore, that no jealousy will be
before taken in scientific shooting and
all honor given the men who at present
win prizes through their own diligence
with arms called the finest, but really
the pioneer weapons on which all future
changes and improvements are mod
eled. But Of the cup. You will remem-
Der that when the American team OF
1875 went to Ireland to gain one Of
it's uniform victories-[laughter]-af
Dollymount they came to VIM
bledon. Some Of our people
proposed that they should shoot
aI,ongsidaes US in our contest for our old
this were manifest, and the council
could not consent. Some said we were
afraid, but to show that we were not we
offered to get up a scratch team and
shoot match. I was on the council at
that time, and was one Of the strongest
opponents Of the proposed match with
the Elcho Shield teams, and hold
to that opinion still-that when more
than one team comes from the same
country q foreigner and ! am not
using the word in an offensive sense.
because I look upon you as cousins
cannot form a proper competitor. But
the council, while holding this view,
were anxious to have a match, and
| when this could not come about, to
show their wish to do everything that
was hospitable and kindly, they pro-
vided this cup. It was taken away from
England on q most excellent score by
Major Fulton, and now I have the
pleasure Of presenting it to a gentle
man who has been termed the best
rifie-shot in the world. have 80 called
him myself, and he has proven himself
such, not In team shooting, but In a
resources, and was obliged to follow
his own judgment. I consider a man
a better mark5man who makes a
high score when shooting by himself
than when, with able coaching, he runs
up to great totals. It is quite possible
that he may be mere trigger puller.
The act of letting off the rifle is Of no
great moment, compared with the eXer-
else of judgment In fixing the sight, and
the coach, of whom 30 little is said, is
still the man who makes or breaks a
match. AS to the first rifeman Of the
world, present to you this cup"


Sir Henry handed Mr.. Selph the great
tankard. Mr.. Selph responded briefly


''Sir, as representative Of the South
and as rifieman, [ accept this cup. Al
the end Of the year must give it up


but L shall come with it-(Sir Henry
Hear Hear Hear !')-and strive agaiI
for its possession. II I win it then
shall be happy, as am now. Ii I lose
it hope to bear the loss as my English
cousins do, like man"


With cheers and applause the assem-


blage broke up, not before a rousine
round of cheers with tiger had beer
given for the British team.


STEAM LINES TO SOUTH AMERICA.