The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-04-15 00:00:00

GOING TO THE BOAT RACE.

The Correspondent of the Standard thus describes the
scene en route to the Boat-Race :
London has once more enjoyed its great aquatic
holiday, and if ever the banks of the Thames offered a
grander spectacle, we should be glad to know when,
where, and under what conditions. The boat-
race day of this year of grace 1876 will stand ottt as
one long to be remembered, for we venture to assert; in
the name of the niTriads who " assisted," that it has
been one of the most enjoyable that has ever been
associated with this great metropolitan outing. . . .
it is impossible to say when the concentration of these
masses commenced, for when at a tolerably early hour
prudent people going by rail and desiring to be in time
made their way stationwanis, they found the invasion
of those strongholds in " full blast," and monster train
after monster train, all packed to repletion, moving
off with commendable frequency from platforms so
crowded that " specials " backing in were appro.:-
priated and filled almost before they hak-cotnetal
rest. On the river, to say nothing of the cdn-1
tinuous flotilla of sinall craft, often dangerously
filled by thoughtless folk, who did not allow the
probability of a capsize to interfere with their
enjoyment, every available steamer seemed to be
making its way up stream, and though the numbers
on board made the chance of witnessing much of the
race rather problematical for many of the passengers,
there was still plenty to see and to enjoy in the magni-
ficent scene on the river and its banks. Those who,
scorning alike speedy railway and slow steamer, deter-
mined to trust to horseflesh, were rewarded by the de-
lights of a drive under the most genial conditions. Not
for years past have the roads shown to better advan-
tage. Cheery, warm sunshine, which an American
cousin, forming one of a jovial party outside a
drag, said made one feel quite "shaky," with the
pleasurable anticipations of the race, had a visible effect
in softening the temper and elevating the spirits, bring-
ing the feelings into harmony with the indications of
holiday everywhere visible. Carriage after carriage
rolled in continuous ktreams along the two great roads
leading westward, north and south of the river. Now
swell" four-in-hand, splendidly horsed, shaved the
wheels of a costar's donkey barrow; then a barouche
filled with charming gisla ostentatiously displaying in
their toilettes the colours of the University they
favoured, and next a greengrocer's pleai.ure van, filled
with young working-people in couples, who have some-
how contrived to an tlcipate by houre t he ordinary Satur-
day half-holiday. There is no difficulty in "spotting" the
sportingpublicanandhis showy helpmeet, in smart dog-
cart or showy gig, with staring rugs and wrappers, that on
this occasion are more for show than use, and in strik-
ing contrast comes the grim family coach; and then
with his fair women-kind in a n..tat basket chaiss an
unmistakably orthodox clergyr an, whose physique
justifies the inference that he, in ma Oxford days, was
a rowing man, and that he is about to renew his ac-
quaintance with a contest as to which he could speak
with considerable authority. Tradesmen's carts powder
along by the hundred, in which are solid-looking
men and women of the true British type, who
are obviously stealing two or three hours from the
busiest day in the week rather than miss the
show; and all sorts of nondescript traps, filled to
their utmost capacity, and all bedecked with light
and dark blue ribbons and favours, press steadily
onward through two lines of pedestrians, bound in
the same direction, and past gay flags that decorate
no small proportion of the houses on either side.
When at last, hurrying and scum ing through the
first dust of the season, the river-side is reached,
what a marvellous sight is seen. The broad surface
of the Thames is covered with small craft, and barges
have already been moored in the positions they are
to occupy, and already are hidden by their human
freight. Sailing, rowing, or paddling are gaily
decorated steamers, yachts, canoes, gigs, pleasure
boats, and even a coracle, all filled with people bent on
seeing as much as possible of the animated, ever-
changing scene, before the fiat of the l hames Police
obliges them to clear the course for the race.
In the meadows and market gardens on the Middlesex
bank, between Hammersmith and the starting point,
is a thick fringe of spectators, who have taken up
positions they intend to occupy until the contending
outriggers fly past them. On the opposite towing-path
all is life and animation; mingling streams, flow in
oppoi.ite directions behind a fixed border of eight-seers,
who have already made up their minds, and sturdily
taken a position which they clearly mean to maintain
against all corners. Here and there along the bank
are congregated little knots of people, evidently deeply
interested in something or somebody, and the carious
spectator who elbows his way up to the outside of the
ring and peers through the circle of heads will recognise
the usual race-course attractions. . .