accomplish the same results that one hundred and twenty-seven words are now employed to do. Should such a rule be substituted in the regulations of every national association governing amateur sport, the practical results would be quite as beneficial as the endless verbiage that is now employed for the same result. Then, as now, it would still be necessary to refer each case of an amateur suspected of professionalism to some final tribunal to search for the allimportant "visible means of livelihood which invariably distinguishes the professional from the amateur. J. Parmly Paret. International Cricket Next Season. THE The HE recent news that a team of Philadelphia gentlemen cricketers would visit England next season for another campaign against the experts on the other side of the water, was hailed with joy on every hand by cricket enthusiasts. success of the Quaker city gentlemen last fall in the last match against the crack semiprofessional Australians, has lent wonderful confidence to the Philadelphians in their ability to make a favorable showing on English fields. Our young American cricketers have been steadily advancing in skill for the last few seasons, and it now seems reasonable for us to believe that they can safely visit England and meet the leading amateur elevens of that country with fair chances of success. Two years ago, a visiting Philadelphia eleven finished its successful British campaign by defeating the Cambridge University eleven on their own ground; and even more confidence was added when the Pennsylvania University players defeated the picked eleven from Oxford and Cambridge in two matches out of the three played at Philadelphia the following September. These victories at home and "in the enemy's country" gives something substantial on which to base our hopes of victory for the team that will go abroad next spring. Fourteen native American players, selected by the Associated Cricket Clubs of Philadelphia, will compose the expedition that leaves our shores on May 26, and a schedule of games, including most of the strongest county elevens, as well as Cambridge and Oxford, is already nearly completed, The team chosen to represent America in this international series of matches, is undoubtedly as strong as could be selected from home talent. G. S. Patterson, regarded as the best all-around player in America, will officiate as captain. In bowling strength, besides Patterson, the team will have E. W. and P. H. Clark, the latter of whom made his mark against the Australians last October; H. I. Brown, the left-handed bowler; J. B. King, H. P. Bailey and the Haverford College captain, F. A. Lester, who is also a fine all-around player. Then there is Mr. Ralston as the wicket-keeper, with H. H. Brown as assistant. In batting strength, with Patterson, Bohlen, Wood, Noble, Biddle, Coates, Cregar, Adams, et al, we have a corps to pick from, stronger than any other the United States can present. One condition favorable to our team is that they have everything to win and com paratively little to lose, in facing the strong elevens they are engaged to meet. This will be no small advantage. The secretary of the Surrey Cricket Club has made up a very interesting schedule of matches for the Americans, and if they win half of the games on the list they will have made the tour a grand success. The opening game of the series will be played on June 7, against the Oxford University eleven. Then the visitors will go to Manchester, where they are to encounter the strong county eleven of all Lancashire, June 10; while on June 14 they are to play the collegians of Cambridge. Next, they cross over to Brighton, where they will play on that historic cricket field with the Sussex county eleven, June 17. Then back to London, and with the Prince of Wales and suit as lookerson, they will try conclusions with the county eleven of Middlesex. This match opens on June 21. From there they journey to the famous cricketers' town of Sheffield, where they will have another strong team in the famous Yorkshire eleven to oppose them. This is set for June 28, and ends the match series. They are then to begin their July campaign at Bournemouth, where they play the Hampshire County eleven on July 1. The next two weeks are yet unfilled, but on July 15, Champion Grace and his Gloucester team will play them at Bristol. Their next game will be at Bath, where they meet the Somerset eleven on July 19; after which will come their test match with the picked eleven of the Marylebone Club at London, July 22. This will be followed by matches with Kent, at Maidstone, July 26, and with Allcock's Club eleven at Surrey, three days later. This will end the tour. Amateur cricketers from Boston to San Francisco will watch with great interest for the reports of this series of international contests, and if the Americans should win a majority of them, there will be great exultation throughout the cricketing ranks. Henry Chadwick. Notes from the Game Fields. states where game most abounds, are awake to the importance of better and more effective game laws. Where an effort has been made for the past few years toward improving and enforcing existing laws, an actual increase in game is the result. Particularly is this true of big game in Maine, and deer in the Adirondacks; while North Carolina reports a gratifying increase in quail since the enforcement of its law prohibiting the exporting of that game bird. From Virginia comes the report of an increase in deer and wild turkeys. Among the states most active, are Colorado, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The sportsmen of the former state have prepared a bill for the legislature this winter that will be pushed with vigor, and will. if it becomes a law, do much toward stopping indiscriminate slaughter. In the Legislatures of Wisconsin and Michigan, bills will be introduced permitting the killing of big game from November 1st to the 25th only. An effort will be made to have Minnesota join them with a similar bill; for it is believed that co-operation will greatly aid these states in their work. Reports from Minnesota show that more deer were killed there in the season of 1896, than ever before; and the game warden was very active in his efforts to stop the illegal shipments of game from the state. It is gratifying to learn that he was very successful, seizing one shipment of thirty tons of venison in St. Paul - the largest seizure ever made in this country. The game warden of Minnesota advocates, and says there will be introduced in the Legislature this winter, a bill prohibiting the sale of game altogether for a term of years, believing this to be the only remedy that will prevent its annihilation. Dove shooting is something that Northern sportsmen know little of, for doves are not found in sufficient quantities in the North to make it exciting. In some parts of Georgia, however, the local gunners are inordinately fond of the sport, if the report is true that in one day they bagged nearly ten thousand doves, and that on two other days, more than that number were killed. It would seem to be more sportsmanlike to take a deeper interest in the propagation of game than in its destruction. In this direc tion, the Ohio state fish and game commission is to be commended in its work of distributing Mongolian pheasants in such parts of the state as it is thought they would thrive. This is not only game preservation, but goes it one better. In order to preserve the black bass in Ohio's streams, the commissioners are having the carp destroyed; for it is believed that this fish eats the spawn of bass to such an extent as to threaten its extermination. Wisconsin has nearly completed a state fish hatchery at Bayfield that gives promise to be one of the finest in the world. grounds are six hundred acres in extent, and the reservoir and the ten trout ponds are fed by three natural streams; and besides these there are a number of other The streams, with a total length of nearly ten miles of natural running water within the borders. Eggs of the lake trout are gathered around the islands of Lake Superior, and transferred to the hatching trays for incubation. The Wisconsin state fish commission is deserving of much praise for its progressive spirit. The fish commissioners of Minnesota deem it necessary to urge upon the Legislature the passage of a bill prohibiting the sale of black bass and brook trout, for these fish are disappearing at an alarming rate. Minnesota is fortunate in having very energetic fish commissioners and game wardens. Until this winter, ice fishermen on Lake Minnetonka have had things their own way; but after repeated warnings, the wardens decided to stop illegal fishing in the way that seemed most effectual; so in January the houses on the ice were raided and burned. Unusual zeal in game wardens should be encouraged; but zeal ought to be tempered with judgment. Some states already charge a sportsman from other states a license fee of twenty-five dollars, if they hunt within their borders; and in at least four other states an effort is being made by the game wardens to have such a tax imposed. It is hard to see why an imaginary line, like a state boundary, should debar even the humblest citizen of this free country from sport in an adjoining state. Such a tax is a direct slap at the poor man, is unjust and un-American, and should not be tolerated for an instant. What is more, it has been declared unconstitutional in one state. The game of this country is a heritage to our people, to be guarded by the individual states with fatherly care, and it is their duty to do this; but who shall say that a state has the moral right to deny any other citizen of these United States from enjoying the same privileges as its own residents? Good Stories Told by Sportsmen. A CERTAIN old country squire disliked very much to allow any one to ride his horses. It happened that on one occasion his eldest son, who was at home on a visit, was very anxious to attend a meet of the foxhounds, but his horses had not arrived. Knowing the old gentleman's dislike to lending a horse, the young man determined to help himself. Early on the morning of the meet, he went to the stables and told one of the grooms to saddle his father's private hunter. The squire, hearing the clatter of the horse's hoofs, called out of the window, asking him where he was going at such an hour. "Going to the meet, sir," was the reply. "This is no morning for hunting; there's a frost. If you find a fox, I'll eat the The He was a brilliant young man, one who always did the right thing at exactly the right time-so he thought, at least. scene of his downfall was on a ranch in Colorado, where he was staying prior to hunting big game in the adjacent mountains. He had a new rifle, a world-beater, and he was impatiently awaiting the time when he could turn it loose on some unfortunate elk, to test its killing powers. Now, his host was the owner of several valuable horses, and one of them stepped into a badger-hole and broke a leg. It was found necessary to shoot the animal, for it I could not be saved. The brilliant young man begged to be allowed to perform the deed of mercy with his new rifle. The rancher consented, and told him where the horse was lying. The brilliant young man shouldered his rifle and started out. few minutes a rifle-shot was heard, and the brilliant young man came proudly back, saying that the killing power of his rifle was simply terrific. In a The rancher fully agreed with him, too, some hours later, when he went to the field and found that the brilliant young man had killed a perfectly sound eight-hundred-dollar stallion, instead of the cripple. Uncle Thad was a great sportsman. Give him his old muzzle-loading shotgun and a few of the boys to hunt with, and he was happy. He was hunting with a party one day, and after meeting with indifferent success, they were plodding sadly homeward. Coming to a farm-house, a brilliant scheme struck Uncle Thad. Calling the boys up close, he said: Bob Martin lives here, and he's the stingiest man in this part of the state. Now, I have an idea. I'll ram an extra charge of shot into my gun; and I'll make a proposition to Martin for a shot at his turkeys. He'll refuse, of course. Then I'll lean my gun against the house and go off a piece; and you fellows are to take him around where the gun is and pull out the extra charge of shot, which he'll think is all there is in it. I'll come back and strike him again for a shot. He'll consent, and I'll just knock over more turkeys than we can pack." Arriving at the house, Mr. Martin came out, and Uncle Thad approached him with: Nice lot of turkeys you've got here. Gosh! I'd like to have that one over there. Say, Martin, darn my skin. I can't resist shooting at those turkeys. Tell you what I'll do. I'll give you a dollar and a half for just one whack at 'em." "Nope," replied Martin, "them turkeys are going to market and they're going to bring more than one-fifty." This was just as Uncle Thad had calculated, so with a wink at the boys, he leaned his gun against the house, and retired to the stables. When he had disappeared, the boys took Martin behind the house and soon had him ready for a dicker with Uncle Thad, who, when he came back, said: "Martin, I just can't help it. I've got to have a shot at them turkeys if it costs me three dollars." "Oh, well, if you must, I suppose you must," said Martin. "Just hand over the three and turn her loose. One shot ain't going to kill the whole flock." The money changed hands, and with many a knowing wink, Uncle Thad got into position, braced himself and pulled the trigger. The turkeys were nicely punched, and he gleefully calculated that about ten would keel over. When the smoke cleared away, not a turkey could be seen; he had not touched one of them. He was speechless. After a silence more or less momentous, Martin drawled out: "Pears to me you ain't shooting as good as you uster." "No," said Uncle Thad, "but if ary a son-of-a-gun tells that you fellows pulled both loads on me, he'll think I'm hitting the bull's eye every pop." "Honest" John Davidson is acknowledged to be one of the best judges of pointers and setters in America. Those who know him intimately agree that some of his sayings are full of quaint and dry humor. He is particularly apt at repartee, as the following anecdote will show: Three or four years ago, while judging a class of red Irish setters, in Boston, his eye fell on a yellow half-bred dog that had been entered by a woman of position. Intent on weeding the entries down to a workable number before beginning critical judging, "Honest John" ordered the mongrel out of "To See Ourselves as Others See Us." "THE CHRISTMAS SPORTSMAN'S MAGAZINE is by all odds the finest publication in the line of sports that has ever reached my table, and I have taken all the periodicals for sportsmen for many years. With such good print, good illustrations, good articles, and such a variety of matter interesting to all sorts and conditions' of sportsmen, your magazine should be admitted by all to be the foremost of its class in the world." ALFRED S. LLEWELLYN, Memphis, Tenn. "THE SPORTSMAN'S MAGAZINE is certainly a most superb publication and one of which all sportsmen should be proud." - MILTON E. BEEBE, Buffalo, N. Y. "I cannot say too much in favor of your magazine, as it is filling a place which has long been vacant. I take many other sportsmen's magazines, but must have this also. Wishing you success." E. K. STEDMAN, Mt. Carroll, Ill. "A very old sportsman handed me the two recent issues of your magazine and I must say that I am very much pleased with it from every standpoint. It is bright and newsy, and covers all sport. I have been quite a devotee of the rod, gun and bicycle for some years. Have therefore, read most every sportsman's paper, but yours beats them all. I wish to compliment you on your editorial mention of that disgraceful episode which happened in this county.a short while ago. We feel pleased to see a paper like yours that will come out and give such brutes like these were, what they deserve."- CHAS. W. LEVERING, Jersey City, N. J. "I have received THE SPORTSMAN'S MAGAZINE. It is fine. I predict for it a lucky future."-C. H. ENGLE, Hartford, Mich. "Christmas Number of SPORTSMAN'S MAGAZINE just at hand. You have certainly produced a number of which you may well feel proud. We have our doubts if there is anything to approach it among the old-time magazines. Illustrations are truly works of art. It is not only interesting to the sportsman himself, but to his whole family; it is not only for the table of the club-room, but it is an ornament that is interesting and instructive for all members of the family. If this number is a sample of what is to follow, you have reached the top at a single bound."-J. H. BARLOW, of the Ideal Mfg. Co., New Haven, Conn. Permit me to congratulate you upon your success so far attained in getting out a very excellent periodical. I sincerely hope that the high standard which you have commenced will be maintained, and if it is, I can predict that you will make of your publication a great success. I have been a practical sportsman for a great many years, and consequently feel myself somewhat qualified to judge of these matters.". H. M. JORALMON, Denver, Col. ་ "I have carefully examined the Christmas Number of THE SPORTSMAN'S MAGAZINE and think it is an admirable publication. The department on Photography for Amateurs' alone is well worth the price of subscription."-JOSEPH ANDERSON, M.D., Washington, D. C. "The Christmas Number of THE SPORTSMAN'S MAGAZINE wears a most artistic cover printed in red, green and gold, and its contents are such as will provide most entertaining reading for those whose tastes run to hunting, fishing and outdoor pastimes of that character. It promises to be a valuable edition to every library collection of sport and adventure."-THE EXPRESS, Buffalo, N. Y. "THE SPORTSMAN'S MAGAZINE is very fine and has many admirers here in this paradise for sportsmen in northern California.". LUTHER MICHAEL, M.D., Ferndale, Cal. "The Christmas Number of THE SPORTSMAN'S MAGAZINE is a gem that makes glad the heart of every true sportsman who receives it. It is nicely illustrated throughout." THE "NEWS," Grayling, Mich. "I am very much pleased with the January Number of your excellent magazine. It is fully up to the standard of the former fine issues, and it cannot fail to be appreciated by all sportsmen. It is certainly a relief to see pictures and read articles which are drawn and written by practical sportsmen. We see too much matter in print from pens and pencils of men who know little or nothing of sport. But your pages bear the evidences of authority in every issue. The variety in the contents adds also to the attractiveness of THE SPORTSMAN'S MAGAZINE."— FRANK L. ELWAGNER, Forest City, Mich. "Both of my sons, my wife and my daughter, as well as myself, all read your SPORTSMAN'S MAGAZINE every month. We find no other so interesting."-FRANK L. JOHNSON, Elmira, N. Y. This is what some of our friends think of THE SPORTSMAN'S MAGAZINE. How do you like it? We should be glad to hear from all our readers. See our special offer on page CII. SPO PORTSMEN who "love sport for sport's sake" will welcome the news that the "hunters" whose efforts to produce "sport" for themselves led them to release a caged bear in order that they might slaughter it in cold blood, have been prosecuted by the authorities in New Jersey, where the offense was committed. Such unsportsmanlike conduct met with condemnation on every hand, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Hudson County, N. J., through whose efforts the "hunt" was stopped, has prosecuted both the owner of Schuetzen Park and the offenders. That the efforts of THE SPORTSMAN'S MAGAZINE in the interest of true sport have been appreciated, is shown by a letter recently received from Charles W. Levering, the assistant secretary of this society, from which we quote: "We feel pleased to see a paper like yours that will come out and give such brutes as these what they deserve." It seems unnecessary for us to add anything further to what appeared in these columns last month, except to repeat that we have no words strong enough to express our contempt for such "sportsmen" as those who conducted this "hunt." WHA * WHAT constitutes the ethics of true sportsmanship? This is the question that has puzzled many a devotee of sport and it is as much disputed to-day as ever before. Some man with little time and less money to devote to gunning, finds an afternoon when he can go out with his ancient muzzle-loader and bring to bag a bird or two. His love of woods and streams is as a holy passion, and he revels in his brief holiday; but alas, poor man, the art of wing shooting is as far beyond him as a classical education. Cautiously he stalks the ducks on the water or the grouse on a tree, and kills his game as the hunter with hammerless gun and dogs of lengthy pedigree comes up just in time to make a pretty double from the flying birds. The new arrival glances contemptuously at the first shooter and mutters "pot-hunter." An ignorant, foreign day-laborer from the crowded district of a great city, who has a drop of sportsman's blood in his veins borrows a gun and goes afield some Sunday. He carries a bottle in his pocket, and a longing for slaughter in his heart. He brings destruction to the sparrows and robins, while a stray cotton-tail is a magnificent prize; and as he unloads his gamepockets before his admiring family at night, he proudly feels that he is a mighty hunter. Anything that flies or runs is game to him, and should you talk of a distinction he would look at you in blank amazement, for he knows of none. In the ponds along the Massachusetts coast, wild geese are lured by live decoys within range of heavy guns, and slaughtered on the water by gunners who claim that it is legitimate sport. Yet sportsmen in other parts of the country denounce these men in vigorous terms. A party of wealthy men, whose disgust knew no bounds when they heard of the Massachusetts method of killing geese, charter a special car, go where game is plentiful, and, with the best trained dogs and finest guns, kill hundreds of birds,-on the wing, of course,-hang them on the outside of their car and have it photographed. The mere sight of this picture arouses the indignation of the New England goose hunter whose methods were so freely condemned, and he roundly scores his critics as "game hogs." Hunting clubs liberate a fox or a stag, loose their hounds on the trail a few minutes later, and run the animal to its death; trapshooters liberate pigeons from traps and shoot them as they start to fly. No one questions that both of these are legitimate sport, and yet the men who caged a bear and loosed it into the woods that they might shoot it, are denounced on every hand as butchers; and no one questions the indict ment. It is a difficult question. We all know that the one is true sport and that the other is but a mockery. We know, too, that it is the instinct which prompts the hunter that defines the difference between legitimate sport and pot-hunting. We all condemn the too-prevalent slaughter of game, no matter whether it be to the agency of modern weapons and modern skill, or through de |