The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-04 00:00:00

OXONIANS.

1. W. D. Benson, Balliol st lb
... ..• ... 11 2
2. A. C. Yarborough, Lincoln ... ••• 11 8
3. R. Ross, of Bladensbury, Exeter ... 11 10
4. R. G. Marsden, Merton ... ••• ... 11 12
5. J. C. Tinne, University ... —. ... 13 7
6. F. Willan, Exeter
7. E. S. Carter, Worcester ... ... ... 11 7
8. D. Darbishire, Balliol ... ... .. 11 5
C. R. W. Tottenham, Ch. Church (cox.) 8 7
CAMBRIDGE.

st. lb.
1. W. H. Anderson, Trinity 11 2
2. J. P. Nichols, Trinity •
11 2
3. J. G. Wood, Emmanuel ... 12 5
4. W. H. Lowe, Christ's 12 4
5. H. T. Nadin, Pembroke . ... 12 10
6. W. F. M'Michael, Downing 12 O.
7. J. Still, Caius •
12 0
8. W. J. Pinckney, Trinity 10 10
T. D. Warner, Trinity Hall (cox.) 8 2
The distance to be contested was as usual from Putney
to Mortlake.

The Thames Conservancy Board and the police, with a
very laudable object in view, had laid down a code of re-
gulations, founded upon the statute law, to prevent impe-
diments to the contest. By these no craft was to be under
way in front of the crews during the contest, but was to
be anchored under the directions of the harbour master.
The steamers hired to accompany the race were to be
moored in a line above the Putney Aqueduct, an•i astern
of the rowers, and were not to be cast off until after the
start, and then were prohibited from going ahead of the
crews, so that every precaution was taken to prevent a
repetition of tho complaints which have hitherto been so
loudly made by the public, the gentlemen engaged in the
contest, and their friends.

This morning broke beautifully. In the country the
sun shone resplendently at an early hour, with a delight-
ful sky, but at noon became overcast in and near the me-
tropolis, and at 9 o'clock the west of London was com-
pletely enveloped in a heavy fog, the effect of which was to
cause vast disappointment to hundreds who had proposed
to see the race. Some of the steamers were fortunate
enough to reach Putney. Towards 11 o'clock the fog for-
tunately cleared away, and on our arrival at Putney was
seen as brilliant a bevy of rank and fashion as there were
assembled last year.
.A little after 11 o'clock the Prince of Wales and suite
arrived at the scene of action on board of a private
gentleman's boat, The London Pride, and all the steamers
took up thoir moorings. As far as the eye could reach
it was dilated upon the animated group around, not
breath of air scarcely disturbing the surface of the water.
As the two crows got into their boats both were vocifer-
ously cheered. Oxford came away to their moorings
first ; they had lost the chance of station which
they have so often of late years had, and Cambridge
consequently took the Middlesex side. There was
very little time lost. Mr. E. Searle, the starter, said,
"Are you ready ?" and the reply was "The start at 11.46."
It was watched with much eagerness, and the Prince was
evidently one of the most anxious of the spectators. The
oars of the Cambridge boat first "clipped" the water at the
pace of 40 per minute, but it was rather irregular. It was,
however, surprising how soon they both got into their
regular form of rowing. Cambridge unmistakably had the
lead, and were in three minutes after the start three
parts of their length clear. Cambridge were pulling very
long, but Oxford just above the Crook laid down to their
work, and then inch by inch they got strictly level when
half a mile or a little more had been accomplished. Then
Oxford burst ahead a quarter of a length, and then a few
spurts from Cambridge, and they were again almost level.
Above the Dung Wharf Cambridge again laid down
to the work, but in the spurt from the Crab-
tree Oxford, despite bad steering, went half
a length ahead, Cambridge keeping the Surrey
shore, closely took the arches off Hammersmith bridge, 7
min. and 4 sec. from the start, and 7 seconds ahead of
Cambridge. In the next half minute Oxford went
right away from them. This was clearly through the
shortness of the course taken by Oxford, Cambridge being
right outside the pier. A most determined effort was
made by Cambridge to turn the fortunes of the
day, but without any chance [of success, for
a'l that Cambridge might do the Oxonians held the race in
their own hands all the way. Any money was offered
upon them, but there were no takers. The Cambridge
men were weak, and weak on their own day, as it was
termed. No. 5 remarkably showed weakness. Ile had
done so for days past, and yet was continued at distress-
ing labour. Barnes railway was reached in 16min. 47sec.
by Oxford, who were then three lengths ahead. Oxford
won by six or seven lengths. The others did not go the
distance. _

;hills by Benson's chronograph :
Started 1111, 1614. 495. finished 12h. 7ul, 265.

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