The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-03 00:00:00

OXFORD.

1. R. T. Raikes, Merton.
2. F. Crowder, Brasenose.
3. W. L. Freeman, Merton.
4. F. Willan; Exeter.
5. E. F. Henley, Oriel.
6. W. W. Wood, University.
7. H. P. Senhouse, Christ Church.
8. M. Brown, Trinity.
Cox. R. Tottenham, Christ Church
CAMBRIDGE,
1. C. E. Underhill, Caius.
2. J. B. Selwyn, Third Trinity.
3. J. Still, Caius.
4. H. J. Fortescuo, Slagdalen.
5. J. V. Bourke, First Trinity.
6. D. F. Steavenson, Trinity Hall.
7. H. Watney, St. John's.
8. W. B. Griffiths, Third Trinity.
Cox. T. Forbes, St. John's.
It will be seen when the weights of each appear which
is the heaviest. At present the advantage of weight
seems to lie with Oxford, who have in their number
for the last year's winning eight, and the cox., who so
much contributed to their success by his judicious steer-
ing, while the stroke oar is again manned by the same
gentleman as last year, the long sweep and neat recoverybein
g still as noticeable a feature in his rowing as ever.
The bow is again in his old place, while No. 2 of 1865 has
been promoted to No. 7, and No. 3 now rows at No. 5.
Both men seem to be in good form, the bow side suiting
Mr. Senhouso better than stroke side. The rowing of the
crew taken collectively is long and powerful, the four
middle oarsmen being particularly so : there is hardly any
catch on at present, but we may rely on their two valuable
mentors, Messrs. Morrison and Woodgate, not forgetting
such an essential part of a crow's rowing. The swing and
recovery is very good ; and with the exception of one or
two in the boat deferring the introduction of powder into
their work until under public observation, there seems little
for the most captious critic to quarrel with. With regard
to the Cambridge crew the case is quite different ; they
seem under the influence of some evil genius, who either
frightens away the candidates for Putney by visions
of daily rows to the fens in fogs and miasma, broken
blood-vessels and premature old age, or else takes a
more tangible form by placing paternal vetoes on 'Varsity
physical renown. It is a matter of much surprise that
after all the epistles indited by old oarsmen of the Cam
to the papers, or to the president himself, couched in
terms not only unpatriotic, but ungenerous, there should
be no one who will come forward and practically remedy
those defects which they are only too ready to point out.
They wont allow the river as an excuse, they discard the
idea of light boats necessitating an alteration of style, they
even go so far as to impute favouritism and partiality; yet
these very men would be the very first, if the crew should
win, to take the credit of it from their useless suggestions.
Notwithstanding every adverse point that has been raised
against the C.U.8.C., they certainly deserve great credit
for the persevering way in which they have sot themselves
to their most arduous task. Since training began Mr. Cad-
man Peterhouse took the place of Mr. Selwyn at No. 2 for
one day only. It is expected that Mr. Kinglake will soon
take his place in the boat in place of No. 1 or No. 2. There
are at present three of last ;ear's crew—Griffiths, Steaven-
son, and Watney; and Selwyn, who rowed stroke in 1864.
If Mr. Kinglake rows there will be three of the Stewards'
winners at last Henley regitta. Without entering into the
faults of each man, we cannot but think that the four bow
oars are not nearly up to par; and if they do not improve
greatly the chance of success will be much in favour of
Oxford.