The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-09-20 00:00:00

CHESTER REGATTA.

(From Me Chester Gazette)
On Friday last the long talked of Chester Regatta "came
off," Many fears were entertained on the evening previous
as to the probable state' of the weather for the following day,
and wise heads shook portentiously, repeating the old
distich of -

" Evening gray and morning red,
Sends the traveller wet to bed."
And prophecies were abundant with all the complaisance of
Job's friends, that like mercy " the gentle rain would fall
on all alike." Friday, however, broke, and Sol with his
glorious face shone resplendent, throwing his golden beams
on every thing; sending the birds merrily on the wing, and
glancing on the river, which
" Sung its quiet tune."
Flowers opened on their beds, and the Chester Victoria
Rowing Club got out of theirs, to " hail the rising morn,"
and feel thankful to the sun for his most.gracious presence.
Our city, with one voice, seemed to exclaim with the ancient
schoolboy—

•
" Venit hora, i,!: 1, .3,11 ,i3iz
Absque mora, • . „:- .• •
Tempus est ludendi."
" All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy," and so a
holyday seemed to be voted by common consent, that the
regatta might be duly honoured with the presence of all
classes. About noon crowds of well-dressed persons were
seen hurrying down to the river, to take their standings, or
embark in the numerous boats which awaited their presence.
In the Groves tents were pitched for the dispensation of
creature comforts, while " the Rock" displayed a miniature
encampment ; the canvass walls of the tents shone in'the
sun, while standards waved from the summits, and as if to
heighten the effect, a piece of artillery was stationed amid
the encampment, and from the rude throat of this immortal
engine occasionally roared a salute. The " Rock" was eon-
verted into a complete promenade, and presented a most
lively and animated picture. The gentlemen who followed
the dignified occupation of " winipegging" offered their in-
tellectual game to those who wished to become shy customers,
while a voice struck frequently on the ear of a person shout-
ing—" A list of the running—horses—boats I mean."—
Near Dee-lane a booth was erected, and also a greased pole,
at the top of which a leg of lamb hung suspended like the
coffin of Mahornet, " 'tween heaven and earth ;" or, to pa-
rody Byron—

" Between two worlds,
LAMB hover'd like a star."
This prize was carried off by a young sweep, who found that
if he sooted the mutton, the mutton suited him—
" He SWEPT off the prize like a victor of old."
The fishermen acted as Charons, and ferried over their
cargoes at so much per head. if they can boast of carrying
over some of the beauty and fashion of Chester, they cannot
but at the same time declare, that they had plenty of freights.
The tune that seemed to ring in everybody's mind, was
" Over the water ;"—while " On yonder rock reclining"
might not have been sung mal-apropos. The encampments
on both sides of the Dee when the storm came on, which
" blighted all our hopes," proved extremely convenient ;
that on the Rock, as as we can testity, giving no small
contentment to many during the pittiless pelting of the
storm. In this tent flowed fluids " Rechabites abhor ;" and
if any teetotaller of any " tent" had been present he would
have been glad to partake of the good things, provided by
the indefatigable Mr. Turner. Had it not been for the rain,
the day would have passed' over without alloy; but as we
read on the walls of our city—" Each pleasure hath its
pain." The excellent band of Mr. Gould was in attendance,
and played some pleasant tunes ; but it struck us that the
musicians were somewhat short of wind, and did not " play
up" so frequently as usual. A band of foreigners were also
in attendance, playing and singing to boot,—and such a
a band !—Jenny Jones and Rory O'More, were sung in
choice German, to the delight of all musical ears, admirers
of precision, melody, and execution.
In the evening the Victoria Rowing Club met at the Hop
Pole, where a very excellent dinner was provided, and where
the utmost harmony prevailed; and where " the toils of the
day with the goblet were crowned."
We believe that not a single accident took place, and the
only contre temps that occurred was the falling in the
" flood" of a soldier, who we suppose wished to give his
ducks a swim, or perhaps qualify for the marines. if the
day passed off without any great excitement, or the exhibi-
tion of any match of sterling interest, it at any rate was en-
joyed, and hundreds participated in the pleasure.
The races came off as follows :
The VICTORIA CUP, value 30 guineas, for six-oared cut-
trs, to be rowed and steered by gentlemen amateurs.
Cestria
No race according to the conditions
A PRIZE, value £lO, the gift of the Chester Victoria Row-
ing Club, four-oared Gigs ; to be rowed and steered by
amateurs or persons used to manual labour. Distance
about two miles and a half.
Fairy Queen.—Crew—J. Reece, S. Jones, G. Ball, T.
Ball, and W. Sumpter, cockswain 1
Naiad.—Crew—T. Jones, R. Reece, T. Bennett, T. Fair-
brother, and J. Jones, cockswain
Grace Darling.—Crew—D. Brown, H. Ball, T. Bellis, J.
Gellion, and J. Ball, cockswain
About two o'clock the boats came to the Commodore's (E.
W. Lloyd, Esq.) vessel moored opposite St. John's Church.
The Fairy took the inside, the Naiad outside, and the Grace
Darling in the middle. In these situations they were started,
in beautiful style, by Capt. Evans. The Fairy immediately
sprang a-head about a boat's length, the other two continu-
ing abreast ; the Grace Darling then fell several lengths
astern, and came in nearly 40 boats' lengths behind. The
Fairy improved her position, and Mr. Ralph Green, the um-
pire, declared her the victorious boat by about two lengths.
The race was well-contested between the first two.
The DEE Cup, value £25, (in specie), for four-oared Gigs,
to be rowed and steered by gentlemen amateurs. To be
decided in two races and a tie. About two miles and a
half.