The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-04-23

wind as they tore along at regular fox hound
speed. And on Shore too, vast numbers of persons
on root ran a bootess race, soon distanced by the
various rapid travellers propelled by steam, horse
aesh and elbow grease. On went the rOwers, on
hew the steamers, and on rushed the horsemen and
hoIseWomen, all at the top of their speed.
| !, AT the Hammersmith bridge the rowers shot
through and the steamers followed, each choosing
an arch and some halting a moment to allow a
sWlitcr bdteGH de rdper the preference Oxford is
about two lengths behind, and the effect is visible
on the crowd OF spectators One steamer is full of
excited gentlemen and ladies, all wearing rosettes
andrlbbons and bonnets of pale blue. These are the
friends OF the Cantabs, and full of merriment and
loud cheers they are. Another steamer is loaded
with pcrsonages in dark blue ornaments and EN-
blems. These are rather mum, as the chances seem
to be going against their favorites.
''Still they rowed amidst the ro,ong
OF T1cdtS fast prevailing: -
though can't say that in this case as in the escape
OF the chieftains daughter, the '"wrath was
changed to walng." Every steamer was loaded
down to the gunwae, and often when the crowd
swayed, rather than rushed, to one side one paddle
would be high and dry futtering in the air" among
the kites and crows OF course this retarded the
speed Accidents were anticipated but none took
place.
The newspaper reports stated that Hammer
smith bridge was loaded down with spectators;
but neither myself nor my friend with me noticed
them at all, or had the slightest recollection of
them, proof that we were quite absorbed in the
contest 1t was like white bait dinner the ''white
bait being the ostensibe feast, but a verv small
proportion of the eatables.
1t looked like grand contest for speed Joined by
everything and everybody. We did pass one 'party''
IN which the individuals seemed quite uncOncerned
spectators. There were several of white
swans, padding along the surface of the Thames
with curved necks and stately carriage. They were
quite too dgnted to be interested in the achieve
ments of their aquatic brethren in white; per
maps because they We're conscious of the fact, that
by all law and custom they are always considered
the property of the king. The ares, with their pink
oars and white mainmaSts, padded out of the way
and let light blue and dark blue glide by. At each
bend or point Of the river where a road came down
or the river road gave good post of observation,
were numerous carriages; the gentry of Richmond
Mortlake, Twckenham, Barns, and other places
having driven down to see the river procession pass
And very quickly did they pass. At these places
too, the equestrians swept along, with an ava
anche, crowd of people on foot, who tried in vain
to keep up with the boats.
The fun and interest were by means centered
on the rowers. In fact, a race, it was seen dur
ing the first half mile that it was all over with Ok
ford. | could notice that Cambridge made about
five strokes to OXtOrd's four But they were all
plucky and persevering. Getting near Mortlake
we noticed on the north (Mddlesex) bank of the ri
yer immense osier fields, and in some places enor-
nous stacks of the withes tied up in bundles pre-
paratory to being sent to market to the basket ma
kers. They are cut in winter before the sap starts,
for all coarse work, fish baskets, &c, and after
spring opens for fine work, where the bark requires
to be removed. But am forgetting our literary
athcte. The course was about four miles and a
quarter, and Cambridge came out at the hag-boat
in Il minutes and % seconds, and Oxford % seconds
behind
A week before starting Oxford was the favorite
and betting was six to four against Cambridge. Af-
ter trials of skill, each before their own select par
ties of watermen, and the with which Cam
bridge distanced their party, they the general
favortes.
The was unquestonaby decided at the first un-
fortunate stroke, which broke the Oxford row-lock
That greatly diminished the interest of the race
considered merely contest of skill, training and
strength. Now, some Of these very youths. who
showed such muscle, will some day arrive at emf
nence as barrsters pulpit orators, military men, or
statesmen. And the attention to the physique will
doubly invigOrate their intellect After the race
over, Cambridge rOwed directly back down to
the point of starting, against the tide keeping
ahead of the returning steamers, and without show
ing the slightest tagging fatigue There was Il
report on the day of this race Saturday, March
27th,D that the Emperor Of France had been killed
Very likely that rumor might have travelled to
America by telegraph and the Cunard steamer of
that day The story came in this wise: The result
of this race at telegraphed to various
bridge men was named ''rhe Emperor" At one
place -Cheltenham, beeve-as the telegram ar
rived, it read aloud "Thr Emperor shot ahead
and bv-stander heard it ndistinctlv, and at once
reported it as telegraphc news that "Hhe Empe-
ror' (of France ''shot dcad!" So much for
this caHdrd
have given YOU n very faint impression of this
aquatic scene, but you may believe it was an occa-
sion of great excitement, and when 'mirth and fun
grew fast and furious
Yours truly, DANpoLo.