The Sun.
London, England, 1849-12-17 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

"UNIVERSITY BOAT RACE.
The great eight oared cutter match between the
gentlemen of the Universities of Oxford and Cam-
bridge was decided on Saturday, under circumstances
whic served to detract from the pleasure which
would otherwise have been experienced, not only by
the vast concourse of spectators, but by the many
thousands who directly or indirectly take an interest
in matters of this description. Not only did the cir;-
eurnstances inflict considerable disappointment, but
it was extremely unpleasant in many respects ; least
of all, perhaps, that of still leaving the question un-
decided as to which is the better crew.
It is unnecessary to expatiate upon the rowing
merits of the University men, of their prowess,
courage, or the degree of science to which they have
brought the art of
,rowing. Every man who has
" embellished" an oar's end, or taken a pair of sculls
in hand, would consider himself lost to a sense of
justice if he could for a moment question their
superiority on these attainments ; from their earliest
days they indulge in this healthful pastime, and the
result, both with oars and sculls in the various
aquatic tournaments, has given the strongest evidence
of their celebrity as rowers.
Triumph has generally crowned the exertions of the
Cantabs in the many and gallant conflicts that have
occurred between the two University crews. Match
has succeeded match, although replete with the most
gallant exertions on either side, which almost invari-
ably ended with (but one exception that we can re-
member) the some result—the success of the Cam-
bridge party. In 1845 the Oxonians achieved a
victory, and it is pronounced questionable by many
whether they would not have repeated it on Saturday
last, without the intervention of the referee, but fur
the " foul," which called upon him in the upright,
although unpleasant discharge of hits onerous duty, to
pronounce the fiat ; but with theie exceptions the
Cantabs have multiplied their victories.
The rival crews—or crews from the two Univer-
sities—contended, on the 29th of last March, with the
usual result—the triumph of the Cambridge men ;
and circumstances to which it is not at all necessary
further to allude induced the Oxonians to hazard
another endeavour to pluck the laurels from the Can-
tabs; the latter, always willing—and willing to be
beaten too, if the challengers could find stuff enough
to do it—accepted the proposal, and the day was
fixed.

GILFILLAN'S GALLERY OF LITERARY
PORTRAITS. Second Series.

Having already commented upon these composi-
tions accordingly as they appeared periodically in
Twit's Magazine, we have scarcely anything ,te re-
mark upon the occasion of their collective publication
beyond the mere fact of that announcement. It is
impossible for us to compliment the author upon, any
improvement in his s'yle, already sufficiently ver-
bose, and most certainly we cannot felicitate ,him
upon the ripening of either his taste or judgment.
Several of his views as to the ability and merits of
some of the most conspicuous among the living
literati are so directly at variance with our own views
that we can feel but little sympathy with one whose
intellect is so monstrously obfuscated by his obdurate
prejudices and unconquerable predilections. A man
who can glorify to the seventh heaven the poetical
powers of Mr. Bally, and treat with a sort of
contemptuous good humour the genius of Tennyson,
has no share whatever in our more exquisite
sympathies. One who can discourse most eloquently
in praise of George Dawson, and can descant almost
in the same breath upon Charles Dickens, with a sort
of sublime comm'seration fur his littleness (I), has no
thought akin with ours, not one chord of bis heart
vibrates in unison with our own. To speak of the
refinement of Mr. Gilfillan's nature as a critic would
he a mere absurdity, after the coarse and vulgar
abuse he has poured over the head of Mr. Macaulay
in the shape of a sneering anecdote unauthenticated
by any names. Charmed at the outset with the
music of Mr. Gilfillan's diction, it is impossible after
a little while not to become painfully alive to his short
comings and other blemishes.

CHEAP

EDITIONS.

In our previous notices of this great race we have
laid before our readers every circumstance which we
deemed worthy of remark with reference to the arri
val of the crews in town, their condition, the betting,
&c., a repetition of which would be but unnecessarily
to occupy valuable space, and to inflict upon the reader
a repetition of what, through our columns, he must be
already well acquainted with.
Saturday's muster of gentlemen—and there were
several ladies too—considering the miserable state of
the weather, was more than the greatest admirer or
patron of the sport could have hoped in his strongest
imagination ever to have seen realised. Four
steamers had quite as many persons on board, or
rather forward—for the after-deck was deserted—as
they could conveniently carry, while a fifth was tte
bearer of some of the elite of one of the parties. Of
small boats there were but very few indeed, the sea-
son of the year, the distance to be done by the rival
candidates for aquatic fame, and the pace at which
the result of trials in training proved they could go,
necessarily deterred persons from resorting to that
order of conveyance. Equestrians abounded, and
galloped or trotted up the towing- path on the Surrey
side of the Thames, their horses being occasionally
something like knee-deep in water; and pedestrians,
occupants of cabs, and others, were scattered about,
up to their ancles in mud, in all directions.
There had been considerable speculation upon the
event at even, but the anxiety of persons to get
money on it induced them on Saturday morning to
start 5 to 4 on Cambridge, which found ready takers,
the reason assigned for the odds being that the strong
head wind was considerably against the lofty sweep
of the Oxford oars, and offered leas obstruction to the
Cambridge stroke. It is probable, however, that this
was not the only reason for the favouritism, at any
rate on a general view, that we have reco'ded.
The following gentlemen were those selected to dis-
pute the aquatic honours of the rival Universities :
OXFORD.

1. J. J. Hornby, Brasenose
2. Houghton, Brasenose

st. lb
... 11 0
... 11 2
... 11 7
... 11 9
.. 12 1
... 12 2
... 11 2
... 10 2
... 9 0

3. Woodhouse, Exeter ...
4. J. W. Chitty, I3alliol ...

5. d. Aitkin, fiieter
6. Stewart, Oriel ...
7. Sykes, Worcester

Rich, Christ Church (stroke)
Cotton, Christ Church (stcerer)
CAMBRIDGE.

1. A. T. Baldrey, First Trinity 10 10
2. H. P. Welles, Third Trinity ... 10 0
3. A. R. do Rou,vn, Third Trinity 11 8
4. C. J. Holden, Third Trinity ... 11 11
5. W. L Bigshawe, Third Trinity ... 12 0
6. 11. F. Miller, Third Trinity .. 12 0
7. T. W. Richards, First Trinity .. 11 3
J. C. Wray, Second Trinity (stroke) ... 11 0
C. O. Do Bolds, First Trinity (steerer)
... 10 12
Mr. Fellows, having been " specially retained" to
t,ffichste as umpire, accompanied the match in an
eight-oared cutter, manned by picked London water
men ; it being usual on these occasions to select the
referee from the Leander Club, which, though not in '
the habit of entering of late into aquatic contests,
holds, nevertheless, a high position on the river, not
only from the fact of its numbering among its mem-
bers some of the best judges of the art of rowing, but
also from the circumstance of its having been one of
the chief promoters of the Royal Thames Regatta,
and a stanch supporter of the London watermen. Mr.
E. Searle officiated as starter.

The distance to be rowed was from Putney-bridge
to Barker's rails, Mortlake, and at sixteen minutes to
three the signal was giver, and they started—the
Oxonians, from what some conceived to be the posi-
tion they should not have chosen, that on the Mid-
dlesex side.

The Cambridge men jumped away with a good
lead, and just before their arrival off Messrs. Searle's
had drawn their length clear, and in the next two
or three minutes triflingly improved this advantage.
From this point up to that a little below the
Crab-tree the distance continued between them
much about the same, the Cantabs having taken their
opponents' line. here the Oxford men, however,
materially improved their position at every stroke.
Opposite the Crab-tree the Cantabs began to cross
towards the Surrey shore to make for Hammersmith-
bridge, but in consequence of the Oxford men over-
hauling them so much at each stroke, the Cambridge
stecrer could not continue to cross, and bring himself
clear, consequently he pressed his antagonist, who
would not yield to the bearing, but held his course,
and the consequence was that he ran into the Cam-
bridge boat and struck them just before the rudder,
running his nose up the side of the boat to the stroke
outrigger. The Oxford men left off rowing, and
the Cambridge men went away with almost three
lengths in advance of the Oxonians before the latter
began to row again, but as soon as they did they
followed the Cantabs up sill near Hammersmith-
bridge, when the Oxonians swerved a little to the
Middlesex shore, and went through the middle arch,
further from the Surrey shore by some distance
than their opponents, who hugged it pretty closely.
From this point to the railway bridge at Barnes, the
steering on both sides was wild, and after they had
got through the bridge the Oxford men began to
overhaul their opponents, and continued to do so until
the finish, when it was so near a thing that the Oxford
men were beginning to overtake their adversaries'
boat, which had contrived to continue the lead. Mr.
Fellows, under the above circumstances, immediately
pronounced his decision that the Oxford men were
the winners—a decision which was concurred in, not
only by the best judges who had witnessed the race,
but by the Cambridge gentlemen who had themselves
been engaged in the contest, the rule in the code of
rowing laws being, "that a boat's own water is the
straight or true course from the station assigned to it
at starting, but if two boats are racing, and one fairly
takes the other's water by a clear lead, it shall be en-
titled to keep that water to the end of the course; and
if the two boats afterwards come into contact
while the leading boat continues in the water so
taken, the boat whose water has been so taken shall
be deemed to have committed a foul,' but if they
come into contact by the leading boat's departing
from the water so taken, the leading boat shall be
deemed to have committed a foul ;" the Cambridge
having wanted to take their opponents' water again
at a time they had not lead enough to do so, and
should have continued their then course. The rival
crews rowed throughout a smart and gallant match,
and the deepest regret was expressed, we under-
stand, by the Cambridge party that a foul should
have occurred. The distance was performed in about
twenty-five minutes, but many who timed it, from
the difficulties surrounding them, differ in a few
seconds, both over and under. Both boats were built
by the Messrs. Searle, and were first•rate specimens
of the art. The Oxford measured 64f feet in length;
their opponents' was an inch less. Their breadth
was 2 feet 3f inches the midship‘, and they were
ovided with washboards shortly before the start.
We understand the crews and their friends dined
together after the match and spent a must agreeable
evening.

LIVERPOOL, SATURDAY.—The North American
mail steamer Cambria, Captain Shannon, dcparttd from
the ARrsey this forenoon, for Halifax and Boston, with
the semi monthly mails, ninety passengers, and a full
cargo The steamer Commodore, Captain Little, the
first of the new line to Havre, also sailed to. day for that
port. The royal mail steamer Caledonia, Captain Leitch,
with the North American mails, kc., from Boston and
llalifax, of the sth and 7th inst., respectively, will 13,+
due here on Tuesday. She will bring reports of Presi-
dent Taylor's message on the opening of Congress at
Washington on the 3d inst.

MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 17, 1849

TYPOGRAPIIICAL WIDO W,
ORPHAN, AND NOMINEE FUND.
On Saturday evening last a general meeting of
compositors favourable to the establishment of a
widow, orphan, or nominee fund, was held in the
British School-room, Neville's-court, Fetter-lane, for
the purpose of taking into consideration the regula-
tions and rules prepared for the government of the
proposed institution by the provisional committee
which had been appointed on a previous occasion,
and whose labours had been brought to a close.
The meeting was very numerously attended, and
Mr. Hartwell was unanimously called upon to
preside.
The CHAIRMAN said he had often had occasion to
take part in the proceedings of meetings which had
in view objects similar to that on which they were
now assembled, and he thought that every reflecting
mind must fi el the necessity of some scheme or plan
like that now in confetti' lotion king acted upon.—
(Hear, ar.) The honorary secretary would read
the rules, which, after much discussion and considera-
tien, had been prepared by the provisional committee.
After that, he (as chairman) should submit each rule
seriatim to the meeting for its adoption or le jection.
Mr. 'JAMES LONGMAN (the honorary secretary) then
read at length the rules as prepared by the provisional
commit tee.
The CHAIRMAN then put to the meeting the first
rule, which w, s, " That the society shall be entitled
the Metropolitan 'Typographical Widow, Orphan,
and Nomineci Fund, and that its object shall be to
afford pecuniary assistance to the widows, orphans, or
nominees ce. deceased members." This rule, it is al-
most needless to state, met with the unanimous ap-
proval of the meeting.
The CHAIRMAN having submitted the second rule,
" That the society be composed of compositors of fair
character, who have served seven years to the busi-
ness, or who are otherwise entitled by patrimony,
including also those gentlemen who are holding si-
tuations either as printers or overseers ; also readers
who have nut served an apprenticeship to the busi-
ness : always provided that they meet with the appro-
bation of the committee in attendance for the admission
of members,"
Mr. SIMMONS begged to ask what was the definition
of the words " fair character," which were embodied
in the rule proposed.
The CHAIRMAN replied that this was a question
which had been much discussed in the provisional
committee; and there it had been resolved that it
should be left to the meeting to determine and decide
who were men of "fair character." He (the Chair-
man) understood the words to mean men paying to
the trade societies ; and it was for the present meeting
to decide whether or not men working in houses not
recognised by the trade should or should not be
admitted.
Several amendments and suggestions, having for
their object the alteration, restriction, or extension of
the application of the rule were proposed and dis-
cussed, but eventually the original resolution, as pro-
posed by the committee, was agreed to.
The remaining rules were adopted, with a few
verbal amendments, the principal of which were
fixing the amount of subscription at 3d. per week,
with Is. entrance, and giving the sum of 201. at a
member's death.
The CHAIRMAN said the next business would be to
elect three trustees, and he was happy to say that
Luke Hansard, Esq., lied consented to become one,
expressing at the same time the greatest interest in
the society. The committee therefore suggested the
appointment of Luke Hansard, Esq., Mr. John Chap-
man, and Mr. Jackson.
The names of these gentlemen having been put to
the meeting, were carried by acclamation.
Mr. C. Cooke was elected treasurer, and Mr. J.
Longman secretary.
The provisional committee were re-appointed as
the committee for the ensuing year, with power to
fill up any vacancies in their number from gentle-
men connected with the book department—Mr. Hall
and Mr. Mitchell being added to the committee.
Votes of thanks were then given to_the provisional
committee and the chairman.
The CHAIRMAN, in acknowledging the above, an-
nounced that the secretary would attend at the White
Hart, Catherine-street, Strand, every Saturday even-
ing, until further notice, to, enrol members.
The meeting then separated with three hearty
cheers for the proposed society.

METROPOLITAN SEWERS COMMISSION.
On Saturday a goneral court of commissioners
assembled at the offices, Greek-street, Soho. Present :
Lord Ebrington, M.P. (presiding), Sir John Bur-
goyne, Captain Vetch, and Messrs. Hawes, Lawes,
ar,d Hard wicke.

UNAUTHORISED PUBLICATION OP AN OFFICIAL DOCU-

MENT-SUSPENSION OF THE SURVEYOR.

Lord EBRINGTON said it would be in the recollec-

tion of the Court what he had yesterday stated in
reference to Mr. Hale. A paper had been addressed
by that gentleman, bearing his own signature and
dated from 1, Greek street, Soho, Dec. 4, to the
Editor of the Mechanics' Magazine, and published in
that journal. The commissioners had Mr. hale be-
fore V,em, and he had acknowledged the authorship
of this sta'ement, which was headed "Experiments
on the discharge of sewage water in pipes, made
under the sanction of the Metropolitan Commis
sloners of Sewers," and he had given no
explanations whatever that could be con-
sidered satisfactory to the commissioners. The
Court were of opinion that it was desirable
that this breach of discipline and decided irregularity
and impropriety of col:duct should he punished. Ile
(the Chairman) w ou!d therefore move the Court that
Mr. lisle he suspended till the end of the time for
which he was originally engaged. It would be in
the remembrance of the Court, that upon the occa-
6on of their first meeting, they had agreed to re•
engage the services of the corresponding clerks, secre-
tary,
and others, without mentioning any particular
term for their re.engagement, but they had re-ap
pointed the whole of the surveyors' department, with
the distinct announcement that this was for three
months only, as it was the intention of the commis-
sioners to revise that department. Without making
any further observations, he would propose, " That,
as Mr. Hale caused to be published in the Mechanics'
Magazine a letter, giving an account of experiments
performed at the expense of the commissioners of
sewers, whilst an official in their service, not only
without the permission of the court, but before an
account of their experiments had been presented to it,
he be suspended till the 17th of January.
Mr. IlAanwicKE seconded the motion.

Mr. HALE requested to be allowed time to put
certain explantions upo❑ paper, and that he might be
permitted to hold his appointment in the meanwhile.
Lord EBRINGTON thought the Court would have
no objection to receive any explanations Mr. Hale
might deem it right to put forward, but as to the
latter part of his application he did not think it could
be complied with, because by such a step the official
could prolong his term of service indefinitely.
After some discussion Lord EBRINQTON put the
motion, which was unanimously agreed to, remarking
at the same time that it would afford him great p!ea-
sure to see Mr. Hale completely justified.
The Court then formed itself into a committee (at
which the majority of the city representatives were
present), "to consider the course to be adopted
respecting the plans sent in to the commission for the
drainage of the metropolis."

TIIR LATE EXTRAORDINARY AFFAIR AT KENSALL•
GREEN: CEMETERY.-0,1 Saturday afternoon a commu-
nication was made to Mr. M. H. Wakley, respecting the
late exhumation of the body of a gentleman, named
James Hendry, husband of the Countess de Tourville,
of No. 13, Cambridge-terrace, Hyde Park-square,
in Kensalll-green Cemetery, on Tuesday, the 4th inst.,
for the put pose of ascertaining whether ho intended to
hold a coroner's inquest on the remains of that gentle-
man, which were exhumed in order to make a search
for a will, which was supposed to have been placed in
the coffin previous to interment. The scrutiny was
made, but the will was not discovered, and the deputy-
coruner determined on ordering a post motion examina-
tion, and analysis of the contents of the stomach, which
was entrusted to Dr. Garrod, one of the physicians of
University College Hospital. Dr. Garrod sent in his
report two or three days since, in which he stated, that
in his opinion the deceased had died from natural causes.
Mr. Wakley, on the receipt of the report, communicated
with the friends of the deceased, and on Saturday Mr.
Wakley decided that an inquest was unnecessary. The
or ffin, containing the remains of the deceased gentleman,
which had been kept above ground, in case a jury should
have to view the body, was on Saturday again lowered
into the grave,'iwhere it is to be hoped it will be allowed
to remain in peace for the future.
DOCKYARD REDUCTIONS. -•-• Twenty-five of the
workmen in the steam engine factory of Woolwich
Dockyard having received notice that their services
would not be required after last Saturday, and it being
understood that a similar number of men would be dis-
charged every week until the total reduction exceeded
300, meetings of the workmen, and also of the inhabi-
tants of Woolwich, have been held, and it has been
determined to memorialize the Admiralty, representing
the great dearth of employment in the engine trade at
present, and the prospect of many families becoming
dt,etitute it the reduction should be made now, and at
this irelement season of the year, and accordingly soli-
citing some delay. Mr. Ballard, an operative, who was
in the eha:.r at the meeting of workmen. put the matter
as a question of humanity. The Her. Dr. Carlisle took
the chair at the meeting of the inhabitants, and a depu-
tation was appointed to wait upon the Lords of the
Admiralty. A number of the operatives attended this
I.tter meeting, and empowered the deputation to state
that the workmen were willing to work at reduced wages,
or a less number of days in the week, rather than their
fellow-workmen should be thrown out of employment as
proposed.
SEVENTU DRAGOON GUARDS.—A young man, now
serritig as a private soldier in this regiment, has lately
come into possession of landed property in Ireland to the
value of 12,0001. per annum, in addition to a large
amount of cash. He becomes of age in a few months,
when he will quit the profession of arms tor tho quietude
of civil lifo.-13ritillt Army Despatch,