Punch: Punch (81.1881)

December 17, 1881.] PUNCH, OR

THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

281

MORE IRISH MELODIES.
The Payin' of the Rent.

Oh, have you heard the shameful news that comes from
Ireland's shore ?

The noble sun of Erin's set—and set to rise no more.

The land is filled with skulking curs, on sneaking mis-
chief bent,

Who maim the harmless cattle if their owners pay their

rent.

If honesty dares show itself, and struggles to do right,
These cowards shoot behind stone walls at feeble girls at
night j

'Tis the most disgraceful country that e er to rum went,
For there's a cursed law against the payin' of the rent.

{More to follow—" The Harp that Once.v)

The harp that once through Tara's halls,

The soul of music sent,
Is buried 'neath the rotten walls,

Of farms that pay no rent.

WHO KILLED COCK PIGEON ?

Those who journeyed to Little Chickenden yesterday,
in anticipation of witnessing the long-expected match
between Dr. Cutter and Mr. Dooit Hurtlet, did so in
miserable weather. This was much to be regretted, as the
match between these magnificent pigeon-shots was looked
forward to with immense interest by a number of
pigeons. Those, however, who braved the elements were
rewarded by one of the finest and manliest contests on
record. "We noticed among those present at this almost
historic tournament, Cabinet Ministers, Bishops, Diplo-
matists, all the leading members of the Society for
Suppressing Cruelty, and most of our eminent philanthro-
pists, who had been attracted by the placards promising
" A Happy Day at Little Chickenden." Unfortunately,
the damp atmosphere had the effect of making the birds
fly sluggishly, so that they did not seem to leave the
trap with that amount of " dash" which might reason-
ably have been expected from them.

The " sport"—for a contest involving such an amount
of fatigue and actual danger amply justifies that title
being applied to it—was happily free from all mercenary
considerations. It was pure, manly, legitimate "sport,"
and "nothing but it," as Mr. Samuel Wetter once
remarked on a different occasion. The mere fact that
£500 a-side was thrown in, does not in any way alter the
real character of the proceedings, or assimilate them
in the slightest degree to a trial of skill for a wager.
All, we are glad to say, went merry as a Passing Bell,
and gave universal satisfaction, especially to the pigeons.
Mr. C-l-m and the Archbishop of C-nt-eb-kt kindly
consented to act as referees in case of any dispute arising,
but, fortunately, their services were not required.

Exactly at 12'45 a commencement was made to an
accompaniment of a flourish of trumpets and a salvo
of artillery. Mr. Dooit Hurtlet led off with a very
satisfactory kill from the left-hand corner trap. Dr.
Cutter at his first missed a good bird with a bad shot.
At the 15th shot Mr. Dooit Hurtled was five birds to
the good, but, unfortunately, he failed to score his next
bird, though hard hit with both barrels. Dr. Cutter
grassed his 16th. Then the great American marksman
made nine splendid kills amid immense enthusiasm.
He was unfortunate with his 27th bird; he brought
it down apparently settled, but recovering itself, it got
over the hoarding. What happened to it there is, of
course, of no interest whatever. Poor Mr. Dooit Hurt-
let then had a bit of bad luck with his 33rd pigeon.
It was hit very hard, but managed to get over the fence.
" Who saw it die "I," said the Fly, " with my little
eye." All then adjourned to luncheon, which was im-
mensely enjoyed.

After the interval, both marksmen, though naturally
much fatigued by the terrible exertions of the morning,
continued to exhibit the heroic endurance which makes
English sport so deservedly famous. At his 60th shot
Dr. Cutter was fairly beat by a low-flying rock, and
Mr. Dooit Hurtlet missed his 65th, a straight-away
clinker. The latter sportsman only just touched his 89th
bird, while Dr. Cutter considerably touched up his 93rd,
which, however, had the bad taste to fall, in a dying

PUNCH'S PRIZE MEDALS.

Medal struck in honour of the Noble Sport of Pigeon Match Shooting generally.

Medal struck in commemoration of niod«rn Murderous Lunacy Theories. Dedicated to>|
Humane Hanwillian Protection Society.

Medal to commemorate the Smoke Abatement Exhibition. Dedicated to the Grate
Coles (without smoke), of Kensington.

condition, just outside the enclosure. Ninety-three each was now the score, and
the excitement became intense. We noticed one Eminent Philanthropist stand-
ing on the shoulders of a Still More Eminent Diplomatist, to catch a sight of
the shooting. Dr. Cutter's 99th bird fell outside the boundary, amid much
hooting : and as both killed their 100th bird, this memorable contest ended in a
tie. All concerned may be congratulated on so splendid a vindication of the
noble and chivalrous nature of English Sport.

Explanation of Phenomenon.

" 4 Late Birds !' All my eye and Betty Marten!" exclaimed our Young
Man about Town when somebody read to him the recent newspaper article
on the subject. "But," he added, after a moment's unusual reflection, "if
two late birds were seen at Windsor on the 7th of December, they must have
been a couple of ' Windsor Strollers' who didn't leave after the performance."

The Material op Materialism.—Dynamite.