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N. Y. Rider and Union?
August 16th

THE PROLOGUE TO THE FAIR.

"Buffalo Bill " is a name to conjure with. It is close to the
throne of America-the heart of its people. It has touched the
chords of the hearts of the rulers occupying the thrones of the old
worlds. In metaphor and in reality the poetical name of Buffalo
Bill pervades the air. It is the name oftenest on the lips of Columbian
visitors. It embodies all that is manly in the typical American.
It represents the period and achievement of the only age of
chivalry America can boast of. From " prairie to palace " it has
borne the aroma of the West, its pioneer dangers, its frontier struggles;
these when such dangers and struggles were not merely
financial or climacteric, but when they were sanguinary and deadly.
"Buffalo Bill's" escutcheon is the symbol of bravery, courage, victory.
On the prairie he won his laurels, in the palace he has worn
them. For he has carried the fame of American “ valor "–that
rare glory-from the land where all men are kings to lands where
one is king. Never before, perhaps, in the history of international
courtesies did the sovereign of one nation more honor the flag of
another than did Queen Victoria-empress of lands o'er which the
sun ne'er sets– show the Stars and Stripes, on the occasion of Hon.
W. F. Cody's visit to the old world. There, in London, on the
auspicious visit of her august majesty to the Wild West, as Buffalo
Bill and his braves rode up and wheeled to salute the royal guest
and the Stars and Stripes passed the royal view, Britannia's Victoria
stood up and bowed to the flag amid the spontaneous and tumultuous
cheers of the Americans. Doubtless never before had there
been such an overpowering thrill in the battle-brawny heart of the
ever-sturdy Buffalo Bill!

The story of his Eastern trip was a continuous chapter of successes.
Again we have him in America. His present enterprise
outdoes his former record. Now he introduces it as " The Congress
of Rough Riders of the World," and truly it is named.
Troops of Russian (Cossack), German, French, British, American
military, bands of Indians, Mexican and American (cowboy), and
Arab riders-what grander idea could have been conceived than
this, to have collected together to give exhibitions of not only horsemanship,
but of the native sports peculiar to these horse-loving
peoples! The idea has been splendidly materialized. It is not only
an interesting exposition of horsemanship and manliness, but it also
is thoroughly artistic in conception. The color blending is superb.
The costumes lend splendid aid to that, and also to the picturesque.
This exhibition of the horsemanship, of the sports and pastimes,
fun and frolic of each "nation," are of a highly "healthy" tone.
They are such as to test the physical "get-up," the perfection of
manliness of the actors in their varied physical and functional
development. It is a show to see not once but often.

If anything could have been conceived, of such a character, to give
one-especially the visitor-a glimpse of the days of their grandfathers,
the pioneers of this country, it could not have been better
realized than in Buffalo Bill's Wild West. In every sense of the
word it is-the prologue to the World's Fair. As the prologue to
the Columbian everyone should see it. By its means the magical
progress of this country may be measured.

This article is intended only as a preliminary notice to the Congress
of Rough Riders. To give a detailed description of the component
parts of the congress–the horses and men, manner of
equipment and riding, etc., would fill many issues of THE RIDER
AND DRIVER, Considering the varied lessons this congress can
teach, it is remarkable that the "equestrian " journals have failed
to recognize the national importance of Buffalo Bill's grandest
effort. THE RIDER AND DRIVER has not, indeed, been remiss
in this, for it has noticed it from time to time. But besides it has
been preparing to give proper attention to the enterprise for many
moons. We expect to be able to do so, if not so thoroughly as we
wish, at least approximately. Meantime we may say that we are
glad to learn that one of the great monthlies has shown sagacity
and enterprise enough to make the Wild West a feature for an
early issue. We are, for the present, done.

But there is one personality we can't refrain from giving a "parting
shot to." That is Major John M. Burke, that hearty, loyal
soul. This traveled thane has a fluent gift of glorious-emphasis
which culminates in an irresistible apotheosis of most charming
on homie, which makes it a pleasure to come in contact with him.
May his shadow never grow less!