The Sun.
London, England, 1870-05-12 00:00:00

THE INTERNATIONAL YACHT RACE.

The American yacht Sappho has been victorious in the
first of the matches with the English yacht Cambria. At
twenty minutes past eight on Tuesday morning the yachts
were started off the Wight, the Cambria's hows being
slightly in advance of those of the Sappho at the moment
af departure. The Sappho carried a jib more than her
ipponent, and in a few minutes after the
g'un had been fired she was seen gaining
en the English vessel port tack in a surprising manner.
A. fleet of crack yachts followed, and the Solent was alive
With the white wings_ of all sorts of craft. The early
orning was dull, the sky leaden, and the atmosphere cold.
The
wind blew from E.S.E. rather fresh, and the prospects
of a fine race were favourable. As the squadron dotting the
Solent bowled along eastward the clouds gradually, disap-
peared, and the first race is being contested in "Queen's
Weather." The breeze lulled during the next hour or two, but
as the morning advanced the wind freshened. There was a
west-going tide as the yachts went out, and the chances of
success on either side were, judging from the betting, quite
equal. As long as the two yachts could be seen from the
umpires' steamer (which went a long way ahead), the
Sappho was continuing to gain rapidly ; but eventually,
as the competing ships kept landwards, whilst the
umpires' steamer preserved a straight coursa, they were
for some time lost sight of. Between five and
six o'clock on Tuesday the Cambria was sighted with
the American yacht Dauntless on her quarter, but at 6.55
the former gradually bore up for home several miles short
of the whole course, which the Sappho completed, being
then fifteen miles ahead of the Cambria. The latter was
out of the course of the umpire's steamer, which returned
without her. The Cambria reached Cowes at four
on Wednesday morning, the American representative
coming in two hours later, both in good trim.
Though the decision of the umpires has nett yet been
formally given, it is understood that nO objection
will be raised to the Sappho being declared the winner.
No similar international race has been run on the Cowes
waters since the celebrated dipper America beat every
vessel that raced with her while she was in American
hands ; therefore the interest taken by the yachting
world in these races was great in proportion to the
novelty of the contest. When the Sappho sailed round
the Wight, about two years since, she disappointed her
admirers—not to say that she came to grief. The Cam-
bria, which was built at Cowes in 1888, draws 12ft. bin.
aft, and Bft. Bin. forward, and the greatest draught of the
Sappho is 12ft. 10In., being about two-thirds of her length
from the bow. Her draught forward cannot well be told,
because her keel is cambered. The American is a fins
handsome yacht, and a good representative craft. To
give some idea of the legitimate means adopted
to ensure success, it may be mentioned that the
Sappho was carefully covered with black lead
and polished from keel to gunwale. The Cambria also
had her copper blackleaded most carefully. This was
done that the yachts might slip more freely through the
sea, and to make the water fly off the hull speedily. The
conditions of the races have 13eeaz freely commented on,
and the fact that no "conditions" are attched to the race there is hailed with much approbation. That is no time
allowance, and no conditions, despite the apparent dispa-
rity in measurement, might cause some surprise, but it
has been tritely argued by the American press that " the
feeling is Justly assuming righteous proportions
that matches should not be trammelled by
purely arbitrary and technical conditions, for all
rules of measurement, and theories as to size and conse-
quent speed are faulty. The belief is that in theprelimi-
naries of a race the vessel that gets the better of the ' con-
ditions' manifestly obtains the better of the contest, and
allowances may be so tortured that a fast yacht may be
beaten by _a canvassed snail." Since the American craft
sailed in English southern waters she has been increased
in breadth below her water line eighteen inches on either
side, thus giving her three feet more beam, and con-
sequently a greater degree of stability, a quality she
was deficient in before the alteration. Her deek is
of the normal breadth, and the side now forms a "tumble
home."

A Central Press telegram says :—",There seems to have
been some little difficulty s tb the Sappho passing the
winning boat ; but the umpires have awarded the prizes
to the Sappho. She now lies in the roadstead with all
her bunting flying; but the rain spoils the beauty of the
ships in harbour.
A. telegram to the Shipping Gazette says the owner of
the Sappho claims to have beaten the Cambria by nine
miles. Mr. Ashbury admits that his yacht was fairly
beaten. and abandons the cups,

The police have been informed of the death of Mr
F. Tyrell, formerly of Bow-street Police-court, who over-
heard the conversation between Lord William Russell's
murderer, Courvoisier, and his friend, in the cell of the
former, and thus enabled the prosecution to prove the
murder and where the stolen property had been re-
moved to.
The Imparcial a Madrid Ministerial journal,.says,
on the sth, that the negotiations for a treaty of commerce
with England are being followed up in the Spanish
Foreign Office with the greatest activity ; that the bases
proposed by Spain are not objected to in . principle, and
that the only cause of delay is from the examination of
them on the part of the English Gov eminent for the pur-
pose of ascertaining whether they are in opposition to
any other stipulations in existing treaties with other
countries.

THE OPENING- OE LONDON UNIVERSITY
BY THE QUEEN.
VROIII OUR OWN gEPORTER.)

ANZDNESA&Y.

At last London University has a local habitation at
well as a name. For more than thirty years it haEs pos.
sessed the first only. Settled dwelling it had none, but
was driven about from pillar to post in most undig-
nified fashion. To the public, it was a mere
nominis umbra. Even a Londoner, if he were
asked to mention its locale, would either confess
thut he did not know or 'answer " Gower-street." The
first answer would have been a good deal more accurate
than the second. The building in Gower-street was Uni-
versity College, not the University itself. The University
had apartments only; in Somerset House at first, then in
Burlington House ; and when that building was pulled
down to make way for the Royal Academy, the University
had to descend lower still—to take rooms in a private house .1
in Saville-row. But the Senate and Convocation were
cheered under this humiliation by the knowledge that
close by their last and shabbiest tabernacle a gorgeous
temple was being erected for them. Yesterday that
temple was opened by noless a person -than. 'Queen Vic-
toria.

Before I describe the ceremony, let me say very briefly
what London University is. It is mainly an examining
body. It has a Chancellor, Earl Granville ;it has a
Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Grote, the historian ; it has a
Senate and Convocation. But its chief function is the
examination for and conferring of degrees. The confu-
sion between University College and London University
was not altogether unnatural. When University College was
first formed it was known as London University, although a
mere joint-stock undertaking. In 1836 a charter was
given to that institution, and it was then known asUniver-
sity College. About the same time another charter was given,
and by it London University was established. This
was granted during the Royal will and pleasure, and it
therefore had bo be renewed after the death of William
IV., which was done December 5, 1837. Addi-
tional powers were given in 1850, and on
April 9, 1858, a wholly new charter was
signed, instituting many changes in the func-
tions and arrangements of the University. At
that time there were forty-seven colleges and collegiate
schools in connection with the University. The number
is now considerably over fifty. The degrees conferred are
those of Law, Medicine, Surgery (which is distinct from
Medicine), Science, Literature, and Arts. The degrees
in Surgery, Literature, and Science are of very recent
origin, and at the present time Literature has but one
doctor, Dr. Weymouth, formerly of Plymouth, now of
Mill Hill school. It wi l be seen that Dirinity has no
place. This is intentional. It was expressly excluded at
the foundation of the University, and the exclusion for a
long time was reckoned as a reproach to the institution.
That feeling no longer prevails, and the reault is that
men of all religions and races can and do obtain the benefits
of the University.
The new building is very ornate, but mast unfortu-
nately situated. It lies, at the back of the new Royal
Academy, and its front is in Burlington-gardens, a
street so narrow that it is impossible to obtain a
proper yiew of the elaborate elevation. A street running
at right angles to the gardens gives the only opportunity
of seeing the structure at a convenient distance, and even
then only a portion of it is visible. The architect is Mr.
Pennethorne, the style Palladian, and the building is
remarkable for the large amount of sculpture introduced.
In fact, it may be called a combination of sculpture and
architecture. As regards ground plan, the building
consists of two oblong blocks, the smallest of
which *placed behind or to the south of the principal
one. The front presents a central portion about
120 ft. in length, flanked by two square towers, and ex-
tended farther east and west by wings, apparently two
storeys in height and 64t. in leugth. The towers carry a
clock and a wind dial, and between them is a projeeting
portico with five entrances. The portico, the centre, and
the wings are all surmounted by balustrades, on the
pedestals of which balustrades are placed statues of
eminent men, selected as fitting illustrations of
the various forms of academic culture. The statues
over the portico are seated, those on the roof
line are standing ; and there are also standing
4-iires in the niches on the ground floor of each wing.
The principal figures are on the balustrade of the por-
tico, and are by Mr. Durham. Taking them in order
from east to west, they are statues of Newton, Bentham,
Milton, and Harvey, as representatives of the four Facul-
ties--Science, Law, Arts, and Medicine. The ti • glues on
the central roof line are Galen, Cicero, Aristotle, Plate,
Archimedes, and Justinian, representing ancient culture.
Of these the first three are by Mr. Westmacott, the last
three by Mr. Woodington. The east wing is devoted to
illustrious foreigners. To the roof line Mr. Wyou has
contributed Galileo, Goethe, and Laplace ; whilst for the
niches Mr. M'Dowell has furnished Leibnitz, Curler, and
Linnaeus. The west wing is adorned with linglish wor-
thies—Hunter, Hume, and Davy—by Mr. Noble on the
balustrade ; and Adam Smith, Locke, and Bacon, by Mn.
Theed, in the nichee. Shakspere is conspicuous by his
absence. For him is reserved the place of honour, a
niche inside, out of the cold, and at present a cast of the
Westminetey Abbey statue faces the visitors ascending
the great central stair case. This stair case is exeeedingLy
fine, and is quite the principal feature
the interior. White marble balusters are surmounted
by a grey marble handrail. Before mounting the
staircase a fine corridor is passed, running at right
angles. On the right or western side the corridor
leads to the torture chamber, otherwise the great library
or examination hall, a room 72ft. by 53ft., which occu-
pies the whole of the corresponding wing. On the left,
or eastern side, it leads to the theatre or lecture hall,
which occupies the whole of the eastern wing, and is
capable of seating nearly Buo persons. At each end
of the corridor is a transverse passage, and these
passages give access to the smaller examination halls
which are situated behind the main building, at the
extremities of the southern or secondary block, and are
separated by private rooms for the use of examiners. The
eastern smaller hall will serve as a place of assembly for
official persons on public occasions. Ascending the main
staircase we reach a landing of polished marble, inlaid in
various colours. This landing gives access in the
centre to a very handsome Senate room, forty-three
feet by 27ft. and 56ft. sin. high. On either side of it are
smaller rooms for committees and for the Registrar and
Assistant-Registrar of the University. At the extremities
are entrances to the respectivegalleries of the great hall and
of the theatre, and transverse passages, corresponding to
those below, give access to the first floor of the southern
block. ' This first floor is occupied by two examination
halls, placed over the smaller ' halls of the ground
floor, and fitted up especially for the conduct of
practical examinations in chymistry and in anatomy.
At present the tone of the building is too white. But
this will be remedied if Parliament consents ; if, that is,
the House of Commons will find the needful funds. The
Theatre is not yet quite finished, the lights having to be
introduced. But it is a fine room, and the eleven tiers of
benches rising one above the other in a semicircle render
the place admirably adapted for hearing.
To-day Bond-street and Burlington-gardens presented
a gay appearance. Flags innumerable were suspended
across the former street, and the balconies in the second
were hung with crimson cloth and filled with well-dressed
visitors. As the Queen had arranged to go through the
building, every one of the principal rooms in
the university was tenanted with a goodly and
distinguished company. For once the ladies were
eclipsed in costume by the gentlemen. It is impossible
for tongue or pen to describe the gorgeous and many-
coloured robes in which the members of the university
arrayed themselves. The older members were themselves
astonished. They had on plain simple gowns, or if they
indulged in hoods these were of the quietest colours.
But at London University there are many faculties and
grades, and there was thus room for invention. The
result is that though the University is distinctly non-reli-
gious, to-day's beautifulgarments excelled anything seen in
the most advanced Ritualist church. It would be an ex-
aggeration to say that every man wore that which was
right in his own eyes, for there were certain broad
principles laid down : brown for arts, yellow for science,
blue and white (a sweet dress) for Bachelor of Laws, blue
and purple for Doctors • and so forth. But the amount
of colour in each seemed to the decision of the wearer.
The effect was grand, and must have astonished even an
Oxford Mus. D. if any were present.
The most favoured place was the theatre. So favoured
was it, and so select was the company, that the building
was not filled. The tiers of seats were occupied by mem-
bers of the Senate (robes were de rigueur) and distin-
guished visitors, but no ladies were admitted except five,
to be named presently. The gallery was filled with Indies
and members of theUniversitynot belonging to the Senate.
The five ladies were seated in the front row. There
was the Countess of Granville (wife of the Chancellor) who
occupied the post of honour. On herright were Mrs.Grote
(wife of the Vice-Chancellor) and Mrs. Lowe, wife of the
representative of the University in Parliament. On her
Dft were Lady Louisa Cavendish, daughter of the late
uke of Devonshire, formerly Chancellor of the UniVer-
sity, and Mrs. Storrar, wife of the chairman of Convo-
cation. On the same bench were seated Mr.
Gladstone, Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Forster, Mr. Cowper-
Temple, Lord John Manners, Mr. Ayrton,
Canon Leighton (Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University),
the Lord Mayor and Sheriff Paterson. Those behind them
were General Sabine, President of the Royal Seciety in
general's uniform, Sir John Bowring, olive-skinned Bebop
Keshub Chunder Sen. I noticed, also, Mr. Leathern,
M.P., Mr. Winterbotham, M.P., Mr. Shaw-Lefevie,
M.P., Sir William Jenner, and a whole crowd cf
igedicals—Quain, Russell Reynolds, Professors Bentley,
Gordon, Reynolds, Angus, and a crowd of other magnates
political, literary, scientific, and the rest. Of the most
distinguished persons, Mr. Disraeli was the first to
arrive. He was dressed in Windsor uniform, and
was greeted with round upon round of applause,
chewing that even in so Liberal a body as the
-London University there are some Conservatives, or else
that the Liberals are liberal enough to cheer great men of
every sort. Mr. Gladstone arrived later, and he alone of
all the Ministers present was in plain morning dress. For
him there was an even more distinguished recep-
tion than for his rival, the whole company
ris4 to greet him with cheering and waving of
h and academic caps. At 12.20 the sound of the
playing_" God Save the Queen " told us that the
.Ce Md the Prinoeee of Wales has], arrived. It was