The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-13 00:00:00

TIIIS DAY.

Ever fresh, ever exciting, the University boat
race once again reigns the queen of the hour. The
English people aro ever found, and doubtless ever
will be, firmly devoted to the pursuit of boating, so
pre-eminently characteristic of the nation, and so
congenial to the habits of their sea-girt isle. It is
the predominant passion of the day, ample evidence
of which is to be found in its vast increase and the
interest it everywhere evokes.
Thirty-eight years have waxed and waned since
the Collegians of Oxford and Cambridge first en-
gaged in aquatic rivalry. Since that time the his-
tory of the race is replete with lively interest.
Since that time there has been vast alteration in the
style of rowing and improvement in the construction
of boats, and in the long course cf training, to say
nothing of the amount of perseverance and self-
denial individually exercised to produce the condi-
tion of body so essential to such an undertaking.
Those who have followed the course of aquatic
events must now feel that the University race has
been steadily rising in public estimation until it
has become the all-absorbing topic of the day,
its high popularity being marked and unequivocal.
The first race was rowed at llenley-on-Thames
in 1829, and won by Oxford. Spread over the
years which have since elapsed there have been 22
other contests. They were irregular until 1856,
since which time it has become an annual affair.
Up to 1860 there was a majority of three races in
favour of Cambridge, but since that date the
Oxonians have won every race, and have deservedly
enjoyed a world-wide reputation. Owing to the
number of successive defe.tts sustained by Cam-
bridge there were great doubts in many quarters
entertained last Christmas whether there would be
a meeting this year at Putney. The public anxiety
was soon after set at rest by the announcement that
the race would, as usual, usher in Easter.
The heads of the boating clubs at both Univer-
sities had, in anticipation of the event, looked
amongst their oarsmen for fitting representatives.
The Cantabs sore defeats only stimulated them to
increased exertion, and induced them to work with
a determination to retrieve, if possible, their lost
laurels. Setting about this in right good earnest,
Mr. Griffiths, the president at Cambridge, had two
eights going at the same time, out of which to
select his crew, and after much circumspection the
gentlemen whose names are given below were
chosen. The Oxonians did not have a double crew,
but Mr. Wiliam, the president, was not without his
troubles, for he had not only the onerous task before
him of selecting a crew, but in the eleventh hour
found to his mortification that Mr. Brown, who had
for two years accepted the important position of
stroke, could not from certain reasons head the crew
in the present contest. After some days' trial Mr.
Marsden was put to No. 8, but the direction of the
crew devolved entirely upon Mr. Willan. Few
undertakings require attention to a greater variety
of circumstances, or involve more complicated
labour than training a crew, and it is but fair to
both presidents to say that they exerted themselves
most zealously. For a time, however, both were
left unaided in their difficult task, but subsequently
" coaches," as those who superintend the racing
" teems" are called, were found willing to devote
much time and attention to the task of
teaching raw hands to row and get their
frames into suitable condition.

For some weeks past the various newpapers have
teemed with accounts of their progress and condi-
tion. It is always pleasant to contemplate the
varying incidents in anticipation of a spirit-stirring
sport like this, and the various changes so fraught
with interest, which strangely manifested itself in
all quarters and amongst all grades, and, at length,
after two months' unwearying exertion through
hail, rain, wintry blasts and cheering sunshine, the
following crews made their appearance a fortnight
ago to finish their training at Putney.