The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-07-27 00:00:00

GRAND REGATTA.

Yesterday being the day appointed for the annual centest for a
new wherry, given by the gentlemen of the Funny Club, the River
Thames presented a scene of more than ordinary gaiety. lty Mat--
past two o'clock the respective funnies belonging to the Club were
in motion, accompanied by a very considerable number of four, six,
and eight oared galleys. On the present occasion a very COIISI-
- number of boats. with elegantly dressed ladies, and
bands of music, gently glided up and down until a short time slue
three o'clock, when the starting galley rowed down to the bridge.
The competitors were now summoned alongside, and informed that
every man was expected to row fairly. Their cups were then de-
livered to them as follows :
Henry Tinton and Robert Croker. Vauxhall—Scarlet.
Frederick Hill, Vauxhall, and James Parish, Strand-lane--
Purple.
Charles Brummell, Bankside, and Henry Vincent, Hungerfurd
White.
Thomas Dodd and Thomas Vogkins, Hungerforcl—Light Blue.
James Bryington, Strand-lane, and George Butcher, Hunger-
ford —Pin k.
George Sallaway, Vauxhall, and Lewis Richards, Lambeth—
Pea Green.
__Ambrose Hallam, Vauxhall, and George Maynard, Lambeth—

Yellow.
In a few minutes after, the boats were ordered off to their moor-
ings. Betting now ran very high, purple and yellow being the
favourite.. At length every arrangement having been completed.
the signal was given for the competitors to start, and row the follow-
ing distance, viz.—To start from Westminster Bridge, row round
a boat moored oft' the second windmill beyond Vauxhall, down
again the Surrey shcre, through Westtninster Bridge, round the
beacon off King's Arms Stair., up again through the centre arch
of Westminstee Bridge. The three first boats in to contend
I for the second and grand heat, to be from Westminster Bridge
round a boat moored off Chelsea Cottage, down the Middlesex
shore to the Prize Wherry. Tne first boat in to be declared the
winner.
Shortly before four o'clock the boats started to row the first heat.
Scarlet was the hindmost boat, Purple a short distance ahead of it,
the others on the Middlesex shore were nearly together; but Purple
made play, and going up by Lambeth Palace, Green was along-
side of her. In coming down, however, Light Blue took the lead,
followed by Pea-green, Yellow, Purple, and White.
The three first-names boats came in in succession, and were
declared entitled to contend for the grand hest.
Betting now changed completely, and those who were "out"
endeavoured to make themselves " in," by what on the turf is
called " hedging off." The attempt. however, proved abortive.
Yellow was now the favourite, at considerable odds. In fact 7to 2
were offered, but refused.
A considerable time elapsed before the second heat was rowed,
and being a " Vauxhall night," as it is termed, there was a very
great accession of company to witness the contest. The signal was
at length given, and Blue, Pea Green, and Yellow, took their
stations. The signal-gun was tired, and the boats started. After
a most manly and skilful contest, the boats fora considerable time
keeping close to each other, the prize was awarded amidst the
loudest plaudits, to the Light Blue.