The Sun.
London, England, 1839-06-20 00:00:00

THE REGATTA.

(From the Reading Mercury.)
HENLEY, JUNE 15.—This long-anticipated treat took
place yesterday, and, if the most inauspicious weather had
not darkened the horizon with clouds, and rain, and storm,
we should have had to record one of the most splendisi
aquatic galas, with regard to a fashionable and crowded
throng of visitors, who would have been attracted, that has
ever been asseinb!ed in any town in England : as it was,
with all the drawbacks above mentioned, we must estimate
the number of spectators, from the ground they cccupied,
at between 7,000 and 8,000. At five o'clock a merry peal
aroused the inhabitants, and the busy din of preparation
was he, .rd in finithing the various erections by the water-
side; but about eight a storm came on, which not only
" damped" the hopes and expectations of all engaged in
tLis spirited 'undertaking, but filled them with a'arm
and consternation. At eleven o'clock the " Leander"
London Club arrived? drenched wig rain, and made
their head-quarters at the Wheel Inn • immediately
afterwards the Stewards and Captains Of the different
boats attended at the Town-hall, entered their vessels,
and tossed for stations. The Cups and Medals were then
exposed for public observation, in the Hall : the dead-
frosted silver of the former, gave them a very rich and
chaste appearance. About three o'clock, vehicles of
every description entered the town, and a great number
of stage coaches, from distant parts came in laden with
passengers, and the inns were densely filled, more parti-
cularly the Red Lion, which the " Oxonians" made
their head quarters. The temporary accommodation for
horses and carriages, was very well arranged, but we re-
gret to say, from the unpropitious weather, was debarred
its share of public patronage. About half-past three,
the line of sta, ds bet,a a to fill with numbers of ladies ; three
buildings flanked the river from the Red Lion Inn, to
New-street ; and there were two others, one near Phyllis
Court, and one near the bridge, on the Remenham side,
the latter of which, we fear, was a losing speculation.
On the river, in the front of the stands, were moored a
rant of pleasure-boats and barges, decked with flags,
cor.taidng bands of music, and crowded with visitors.
The Shell steamer was moored nearly opposite Phyllis
Court, bat, from the unfortunate weather, had, we be-
lieve, a very light cargo.

The entrances for the Grand Challenge Cup had
amounted to six, but the Exeter College Boat and the
University Boat Club Boat were withdrawn previous to the
race. The competitors therefore stood thus
Oxford : Brazen-nose College " Child of Hale."
Cambridge: Trinity Boat Club " Black Prince."
Oxford : The Etonian Club

Oxford ; Wadham College
At four o'clock the first signal gun was fired to clear the
ard the two flue eight-oared boats, the Brazen-nose
College, with its crew in blue caps with gold tease's, and
yellow and purple rosettes, and,,the Etonian Club Boat,
with its crew in white Jerseys with light blue scarfs, pro-
ceeded to the starting place at Air. Freeman's Island ; and
a second gun announced the start, which was fairly made ;
the boats appeared nearly equal till near the turn, when
the Etonian shot ahead and woo in capital style, beating
this first-rate winner in the Isis races by three boats'
length. The second race almost immediately followed, it
was between the Cambridge Trinity Boat Club and Ox-
ford Wadham College ; they proceeded to the starting
place, and the Cambridge having won the toss took the
near shore side; the start was made at a great pace, and
Oxford
dthe was C
overcome, and
no material difference appeared in their situat.ons till the
unable ro
uaieed a slight
advantage,
"-The Black Prince" entered the arch a boats's length in
approach
tCI
wthhetel ti ur
then wheno
advance of it; competitor.
By way of filling up an interval, a match bad been made
between three two-oared boats belonging to Henley, who
pulled from the bridge down to the island, passing round it
and returned ; it was a gallant contest between two of the
boats, the third was distanced. The boat that took the
lead at starting came in abcut two lengths before the other.
The Town Challenge Cup race took place at six o'clock.
The following boats proceeded from the bridge to the
,starting point: the Wave, Mr. Z. Allnutt, captain, Mr.
John Cooper, secretary ; the Dreadnought, Mr. James
Forrest, captain, Mr. Edward Johnson, secretary ; the
Albion, Mr. Robeit Webb, captain, Mr. Charles Kinch,
secretary. These were three very fine.four-oared boats,
sad passed down the river amidst universal cheers. We
regr. t to state, that during the preceding race some sbnf_
fl ng parties had entered the Albion boat-house and chalked
the bottom of the boat all over; it was, however, discovered
in time to be remedied. The boats havirt started, they
trade their appearance thus—the Wave in the centre, the
Dreadnought near shore, and the Albion outside. As was
the case before, the struggle took place at the turn, where

the Wr.ve rushed forward and maintained the lead upto
the bridge, which it entered three lengths a-head; the
other competitors made almost a dead heat, but the Albion
might have bad a slight advantage. The crew of the
Wave are consequently the possessors of the Town Cup.
The last race was now one which excited universal in-
terest ; it was one which would decide the possession of
the Grand Cup, and also the rivalry between the two Uni-
versities. The competitors were—The Oxford Etonian
Beat Club, S. E. Maberley, captain, W. J. Garnett,
secretary ; and the Cambridge Trinity Boat Club, W.
Massey, captain, C. Penrose, secretary. As far as we
could observe, the crew of the Oxford boat consisted of
younger men than the Cambridge, but apparently of con-
siderable muscular power. They passed down the river
in beautiful style, preceded by the " University boat"
with gold-tipped oars, an elegant blue silk banner with
crimson armorial bearings, an a remarkably fine crew.
The Trinity Club appeared in blue striped Jerseys and
French blue rosettes ; the Etonian Club in white Jerseys
and pale blue facings.
The signal gun on the island announced they were off,
and the boats came up in capital style, neck-and-neck ;
the Cambridge boat had again the near-shore side, and,
at the turn, gained some advantage, about two hundred
yards below the bridge, being a length in advance, but the
Oxford making a desperate pull, came withinhalf a length
of the Cambridge, which was maintained till the gun an-
nounced the race was run, and that the Cambridge had
entered the arch, the v'ctor ; bad the distance been 100
ards further, we are inclined to think the " Etonian"
would have ca vied off the prize. It was as fine a race as
could be witnessed. The termination was hailed with
acclamations by the thousands who crowded the banks and
the bridge. Lord Chesterfield's carriage occupied the
centre of the bridge ; Lord Augustus Fitzelarence and
several other Noblemen were also present. Every possible
care was taken by the Committee to provide against acci-
dents, drags and every necessary apparatus being procured
from the Humane Society, in London, and lodged at
I icbbs's Rowing-house, near the bridge, but we rejoice to
say it was not needed.
At ten o'clock a fine display of fireworks took place, un-
der the directions of Mr. Fenwick, from a large boat
moored off New-street, and which were seen to great ad.
vantage from the bridge. We must close this account
itb one suggestion, that in future some more prominent
situation for the carriage company may be provided ;
standings might be let at great advantage for this purpose.
Every other arrangement was most admirable.

The Committee on the Paris and Havre Railroad
Bill has appointed as its President M. Roger (of the
Loiret), and as Secretary M. Billard. The majority (7
to 2) are of opinion that the work should be undertaken
in its whole length, and not merely the commencement,
as far as Pontoise, as proposed by Government. The
Committee for the loan of 5,000,000 to the Versailles
and Meudon Railroad Company has heard three of the
new
supopoftrhteo
of the Company,pina. who have furnished
of
the Government.
HERRING FISIIING.—It will be satisfactory to
the numerous persona engaged in the herring fisheries on
the coast of Northumberland to know, that Government
have determine& in compliance with the solicitations of
Matthew Bell, Esq., M.P., to place an armed vessel to
soil between Tynemouth, and Berwick-upon-Tweed,
during the season, in order to check the depredations of
Flench and other foreign fishermen, who annually come over
for the sole purpose of preying upon their property.--
Newcastle Journal.