The Sun.
London, England, 1860-03-24 00:00:00

AQUATICS'

OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE GRAND EIGHT.
OAR RACE. " "

The interest attached to this grand event, which is fixed
to take place on Saturday, March 31, from Mortlake to Pat-
ney, increases as the day of the race approaches, and there
is every probability of an tuusually large attendance. The
Oxonians during the past month have been doing hard
work over the :IsTuneham Course, and took their leave of
a • • •

training quarters on Thursday last. With the view of re-
suming practice at Putney, the Oxford boat, which is the
same as used last year, was sent from Oxford yesterday
(Friday), and will be met by its occupiers at Putney this
day (Saturday). The crew will, we understand, row over
the course for the first time at three o'clock.
The Oxford boat will contain four of its laSt-year's vic-
tors, viz., Mr. Risley, the stroke; Mr. Baxter, No. 6; Mr.
Morrison, No. 5; and Mr. RObarts, the coxswain.
The Cantabs have not been behind hand, but are making
every effort to redeem their lost laurels, and despite almost
insurmountable obstacles will havo arranged to be in Lon-
don about the same time as the Oxonians. Tho lovers of
aquatics will, therefore, now bo enabled to judge for them-
selves of the merits of the two crews.

We understand ample accommodation wi'l be afforded to
witness the race, as besides the ordinary run of steamers,
Harvey (Oxford), West (Oxford), Logon (Cambridge), and
other private individuals, have chartered vessels for the
occasion. We are informed from a reliable source that the
steamers will start from London-bridge as early as half-
past eight on theporning of the rice..
Mr. Chitty will again act as umpire.

PUGILISM.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

TOM SAYERS AND THE BENICIA BOY.—The course of
events with respect to the forthcoming battle remains much
the same, and there is no fresh fact of importance to place
before the public. It has been rumoured that Tom Sayers
would show on the Friday night previous to the encounter,
but the report, which imposed on none but flats and green-
horns, is totally without foundation. The idea of a man
in the po4tion of Sayers placing himself in such an im-
prudent situation on almost the very eve of a mill of such
great and absorbing interest is utterly absurd. We are
authorised by Tom's backers to state that the Champion
will certainly not appear in public until he enters the
roped arena face to face with Heenan. A n engage-
ment, and a very remunerative one, was offered to
Sayers to appear fdr one night at some public place in the
metropolis, but Tom wisely foresaw the impolicy, not to
say danger, of such a proceeding, and at once repudiate)
the scheme. The Champion has forwarded his battle boots
to Mr. Dowling, in order that they might be examined as
to their being in accordance with the rules of the P. B. A.
The " trotter cases" were found to be perfectly correct;
and we trust that Heenan will send his in at once, in order
to pass a similar examination.

The betting remains unaltered; Sayers is still the fa-
vourite at 7to 4. At Tattersall's, on Monday, £7OO to
£4OO was offered on Tom Sayers without discovering a
taker. It is stated in well-informed circles that Heenan
recently engaged in a glove bout with a second or third-
rate English boxer, and that the Benicia Boy never pos-
sessed a chance with his man. Indeed it is stated that his
opponents's mawleys were never out of Heenan's face.