The Sun.
London, England, 1836-10-29 00:00:00

AQUATICS.

THE GREAT MATCH BETWEEN WATTS AND PHELPS.—The
diversity of opinion relative to the prowess of these men is at
length set at rest. There is not one of the gentlemen who
witnessed the match of yesterday who has a single doubt upon
the subject. Watts was admirably beaten, and that too on his
own terms. Phelps deserved the laurel, for never did a man
exhibit such unflinching bottom under the disadvantage of a
stern-chase as did the hero of Fulham. We have on more than
one occasion detailed the victories gained by each of these
men. Watts has long been considered very formidable, and
Phelps, until he won the sovereigns given by the gentlemen
frequenters at Lyons's, was thought but little or nothing of.
He has worked slowly and steadily up-bill, and has on more
than one occasion deceived the cognoscenti. He was even
taken by the hand on this occasion by Mr. Layton, a gentle-
man whose abilities as a sculler, and whose patronage of river
sports, has constituted him a leading star. Still Mr. Layton
was not inclined to back Phelps to row anything. but a clear
right-away contest. He expresses himself dissatisfied with the
system of fouling, now that "boats are not barges," as they
were some years since more allied to than the light shell turned
out in the present day. However just the opinion may be, and
that, too, from a very able waterman, there are many who en-
tertain an idea that it is next to an impossibility for men to row
without some description of fouling. When the match was
broken off a few days since the prevalent opinion was that
Phelps had naturally been consulted, and did not think he
stood so good a chance in the fouling as without, and it was
not until the Fulham man became uncomfortable at the seem-
ing reflection upon his skill that the match was made. Mr.
Layton very handsomely abrogating his own view of wagering,
lest any insinuation should affect Phelps's credit as a sculler.
The whole of the long boats belonging to the respective clubs
had been stowed away for the winter, but the boat-builders
were literally besieged yesterday, as everybody had money on
it, and all were desirous of enjoying that which they considered
would afford a perfect treat. They were not deceived in their
anticipations, nor could they have selected a finer day for their
invigorating exercise. Betting an hour before the start was 5 to
4on Phelps, with plenty of takers to any amount. Although
Phelps has twice defeated Watts, it was never considered that
he had been vaequished. There was always a saviti
clause. It bad occurred that Watts had been unlucky, and
so sanguine were his admirors that many laid their money
even, taking Watts for choice, and in this view some of the
most expert watermen on the river joined. Many of those
who had given 6to 4 edged a little. The Thames boasted
the attendance of nearly the whole of the river gentlemen who
could get to town time enough for the match, and the galleys
were very numerous. The contest was for 20/. aside, to row
a waterman's wager from Westminster to Putney, with tide,
about three quarters of an hour before high water, The men
drew for stations. Watts won the choice, and took the fa-
vourite one on the north shore. They both looked in admi-
rable condition, and surveyed each other from top to toe, It
had been arranged that they should start themselves, and they
laid down to their scull handles in readiness for the go off.
At twelve minutes to four they were off„ but Phelps did not
display his usual quickness. Watt% evidently had the best of
it, and went within Lucas's road at a slashing pace, Phelps
set his boat admirably and did not manifest any ;Annoyance at
the leading place occupied by his adversary, The struggle
was grand. Off the Penitentiary Watts was a good sixteen
yards a •bead, nor did his opponent seem to gain at all on him.
In fact, he appeared to ho reserving his strength for the grand
push. Watts was fifty yards a-head off the first mile beyond
Vauxhall Bridge. He was still holding on admirably, and
in shooting to the Red House rowed with incredible speed,
At the Red House Phelps was nearly two hundred yards astern,
but it was evident that Watts had" shot his race," The labour
was on the left hand all the way up, and he was using both
hands to that scull. He called to Parish for another scull, ia
order to try the benefit a change. There was no time to
check his way, as Phelps, was rowing amazingly fast, ei4' was
gaining en him, Every face was the picture of anxiet, and
the ()beers to each man were long and repeated. The rowing
for about three minutes was desperate, but Phelps was as fresh
as at starting, and still drew on his adversary. He came along-
side, and in five or six more strokes his scull was before the
stern of Watts's boat. Watts was determined on a desperate
manoeuvre, and when within a length of Battersea Bridge went
on his adversary's quarter, in order to throw him athwart the
piles. The head of Phelps's boat struck, and for alt instant he
was partially across the stream. The straits relieved him, and
she scraped within the arch and drifted through. Watts had
to right his boat in order to clear, but Phelps was right away
from him, Still he had his work to do, but was greeted the
winner by fifteen seconds. It was stated by Horne of the gen-
tlemen who timed that it exceeded twenty seconds. Phelps's
lasting powers have never been aeon to such an advantage as in
the match of yesterday, It was asserted by Watts that he bad
no power in the left arm at the time his adversary passed. The
winner rowed in Mr. Layton's boat, built by Springett, at
Putney ; Watts was favoured with the 8:21b. boat Wilt by
Chandler and Hunt for Mr. Hood.

ArrAIR. OF H ONOUR.--mYv,iterday morning a
hostile meeting took place on Wormwood-scrubbs, between
Ralph Ferguson, Esq, et Holloway, and, Martin Simpson,
young gentleman residing in Sloane-street, Chelsea.
At seven o'clock the hostile parties Arrived, attended by their
seconds, each in a pot,t-elinlie. The ground haying been mea-
sured (IQ Hoes), t.loy took up their position. A.V. Ferguson
fired, bet tnissed his antagonist ; and at the same moment Mr.
Simpson discharged his pistol,, and missed also. The seconds
hereupon interfered; and endeavoured to bring about a recon-
ciliation, hut without effect. The hostile parties again placed
themselves at the distanced ground 4 and h,ath fired together.
Mr. Ferguson received a slight tvekind in the thick part of the
pistol-arm ; Mr, Shn,p4en veceived his adversary's ball a short
ciistatlC.P h4.ny the groin, and instantly fell, lit vas litiny•-
diately attended by a professional gentintym, who, on viewing
the extent of the wonnd, assisted in conveying him to the
chaise which was ilt waiting, and he was conve/nd with all
speed to his residence. The wound, it is fearerL is 44 serious
description. Mr. Ferguson quitted the ground in a few
minutes afterwards with his friends,. The cause of tle
ing arose from a gross insult o4er'ed to, Mr• FerpßoWs. sister
at Drig-hine Theatre 1/ the nnfortnnt.o Mr% I,lArcal%