Year: 1874

The Pleasures Of the Woods.


There is strange charm for the
dweller in town in living awhile hand
in hand with Nature all day long-in
watching her gradual changes, the
birth OF morning, the sunrise newly
dressed each day, the fading twilight,
the growth Of storms, loveliness OF
form and color in wood or wave,-all
delightful, and ever more so when the
camp circle chances to possess an or.
tist or two, and enough of science to
weight the talk little at times. 1t is
well also to have ALWAYS some little
purpose in the woods beside pleasure.
Some men like the gun and the rod; l
prefer the latter, but l have friends
who find unceasing pleasure in their
pursuit of botany. Photography would
be the best Of wood pursuits if only it
involved less cumbrous baggage; but
for those who sketch, that is surpass-
ing gain. A book or two Of geology is
| also desirable, ami l have found it
convenient and agreeable TO carry in o
small case compass and barometer
and a minimum thermometer, and, if
possible, a simple microscope. All
these little aids help to pass away the
hours which nothing can make heavy
or wearisome. may add another
hint: too few of us sketch, and, as l
do not. l have always carried note
book, in which | have found great de-
light, not merely in noting the days
pursuits. but in sketching with the pen
Gil in words the scenes through which
have passed. 1t is capital exercise,
AMI it is curious 10 see how, when you
sit down and try to put in words just
what you see before you, it fixes the
landscape forever in your memory.


While speaking OF mems WAYS in
camp, l should not neglect to say how
much of Its enjoyment comes of the
| contact with the guides, woodmen, and
trappers, and the supplemented, man.
ly folk who live on the outposts Of
| civiiization-"the lords Of the axe and
the rifle" One friend at least who
may read this paper will recall
our guide at the Pictured Rocks-a
gnarled, rugged old fellow, by turns
lumberman on the wild Madawaska, a
beaver-hunter who believed in beavers
more than in men, . sergeant ia Ber-
dams Sharpshooters. and now lake
sailor, guide, and hunter-a keen eye
with the rifle, gallant and cool in
storms on the lake, a capital cook, and
endlessly merry and full Of good talk
over the campfire at night. He will
recall, too, Mr.. S, our guide on
the north shore, with his keen scent Of
the profitable pine tree, his amazing
certainty AS wood-guide, and his
quaint tales OF ''fnds" among pine
woods or the mineral wealth on the
shores of lake and river. The forests
of Maine are full Of the finest speci-
mems Of such men nor do ! know any
better thing than to float down the
lovely Allegash with Dan Kennedy,
guide and woodman, in the stern of
the canoe. and to hear with the plasA
of his paddle his clever chat Of bea&
and moose ard numbering and thl
ways of fish, and scornful talk


"kanucks" and ''Injins." y


AS we'll as to say here that he who
means to live awhile in the woods will
do well to be careful as to whom he
chooses as guide. In Maine espec-
tally the least exercise Of caution or q
little inquiry will ensure successful
choice. AS to companions, cheerful,



pleasant, and unselfish, one can rarely
60 astray in choosing; but since in
many wood;journeys the travellers life
is or may be in peril, or be put to
great Inconvenience and discomfort, if
he has not for guide an experienced
person, too much care cannot be used.
Some of my friends will recall how
narrow an escape we once made on
Lake Superior, owing largely to an in
competent sailor; and on the other
hand l remember with constant pleas
ure the dextrous and gallant fellows
who have been with me again and
again on the quick waters of the Allie
cash and the great St. Johns.


l do not wish or pretend to give
directions as to the needed outfit for
camp-life, which may be better learned
from any Of the many books which de-
scrbed the fishing of North America.
There are, however, one or two things
which, as physician pointing out q
too littie-used means Of health-getting,
cannot afford to pass over, since in
the books alluded to they are scarcely
mentioned. As regards clothing, never
60 into the woods without flannel gar
ments. 1t is we'll, no matter how cool
it be, to artially undress at night. re-
lying upon rubber blanket beneath,
and two good woolen blankets, on ov-
er and one under you, for warmth. A
caoutchou pillow is also great gain,
both as head-rest at night and to sit
on in the daytime, especially in boat
or canoe. 1t Is well also to make it q
rule of the party no matter huw cold
be the water, to bathe daily. In 6sh-
ing-camps generally there is some neg.
lect of cleanliness debris Of meals
left about and lack of care In daily ar.
ing the blankets. II is wise, therefore,
/, to shift the tents every three or four