Sensible Virginians

THERE were a good many sportsmen here this week. As I write, a large sloop has just lifted anchor, and has headed for the Virginia capes with some twenty-five of the Baltimore Sporting Club on board. She is bound for a month's cruise. Another sloop from Suffolk, Virginia, with some twenty lovers of the gun and rod, has put in an appearance, and will leave to-morrow for Hog and Moncarn islands. The Richmond, Va., Club will commence their annual cruise the first of next week, as also will the Norfolk Sporting Club. It is no wonder that the ladies wander disconsolately alone at the watering places, for this custom of the Virginians of leasing a vessel and spending their midsummer holiday in a stag party afloat, has grown steadily into favor, and in consequence the men are represented at the springs by beardless boys, or by those effeminate young men who avoid the sun and wind, as if it bore on its beams and breeze the pestilence itself.

Besides, the Virginians find it not only more enjoyable but cheaper. Twenty-five young men clubbing together can, upon paying a sum of twenty-five dollars apiece, rent a sloop, provision it, and enjoy a delightful, free Bohemian life for a month, when it would cost them four times that amount to go to the springs, and they would not have half the enjoyment either. This place is the rendezvous of all of the clubs, and they stop going and returning. The rough-looking sailor grub of the day is changed into a gorgeous butterfly at night, with full dress suit, who circles in the "mazy," as Mr. Dick Swiveller expresses it.

The fishing is unusually fine this summer, and trout, sheepshead and hogfish are caught in great quantities close to the hotel. I saw a party of five return from a fishing excursion over across the Rip Raps, who had averaged eight fish to the line, all of good size, too.

Sportsmen just from Cobb's Island and vicinity, report the robin snipe as having disappeared, but that the curlew, willet ad yellow-leg snipe are arriving in good quantities, and the sport is fair.

CHASSEUR.

OLD POINT COMFORT, Va., June 22.