The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-06-16

HnonM WATER SAuoRsHP-YA AS
Porv1xxlS UNDERSTOOD. achtiDg Ia delight
full amusemNrt II properly understood and en-
joyed. Like a. hing and hunting, however, 1t
must not be pursu. d In mere pOco-curanss spirit
The true disciple Of LEAK Walton is ready to
brave death, In the form OF fever or consump-
tion, to secure the prizes OF the lake or stream.
The ardent huntsman is equally willing to
hazard his life In conflict with the savage deni-
sens of the prairie or jungle. 1t is the sense of
personal risk which lends the greater part Of
their attraction to the sports Of the field. There
Is nothing which men love more to dilate upon
than the perils reoklessly incurred in the pur.
suit Of favorite sport.
1t IL singular that with sea-loving people
like ours the only exception to this contempt of
danger should be found amongst our yachts
men. With beautifully constructed vessels and
efficient crews, they rarely or ever venture out
Of smooth water. Unlike the English amateurs,
who fearlessly navigate the ocean, enlist
their services in scientific expeditions. or
roam about from port to port our
American yachtsmen hug the shores Of
our rivers and harbors with the same degree Of
timidity with which young birds cling to
their nests. Some do this, it is true, not
so much from an indispoitien to face danger as
from the belief that the capacities of their ves-
sells will not admit of their taking to the open
sea. Whatever be the motive, it is unworthy
of the spirit which carries our people onward
in most other pursuits. 1t Is not the habit Of
the American mind, whatever it engages in
whether it be business or amusement evince
jects.
Our yachtsmen are unfortunately exceptions
to the emulation which usually distinguishes
our people Content to compete with each
other in smooth water, they do not seem to re-
gard what is being done by the craft abroad.
If they can gain prize without the risk of .
wet jacket or a sick stomach, they think that
they have reached the eliminating glory of
amateur sailorship. Such featherbed efforts,
however, neither rebound to their credit nor
contribute anything to the general benefit.
When we find them lending their aid to the ad.
vancement of science, or diffuSng taste for
aquatic sports, like foreign yachtsmen, then we
may be disposed to acknowledge that their
amusements are productive of some public ad-
vantage.
1t will give us pleasure to see something of
this spirit of venture displaying itself amongst
our amateur sailors We believe that It requires
but the influence of example to excite amongst
them the spirit Of competition necessary to place
them upon level with their foreign rivals
That example has been recently afforded them
by two vessels of their own body, each Of which
has proved that the pleasures and enjoyments
ofyacht life have . much wider range than that
to which the ambition of our yachtsmen has
hitherto confined It.
In order, however, that more general encou-
ragement may be given to the timid, and prac-
teal experience to those who are in need of 1t,
1t should be the aim of our yacht clubs to de-
velope by every means possible the qualities of
their vessels. This cannot be done within the
limited field to which they confne their efforts
A race in smooth water and under cover of the
shore can never possess half the interest or
lead to half the practical benefits that con-
test on the open sea Is attended with. 1t should
therefore be the object of these clubs to give
their sanction as frequently as possible to devil
atoms from their old sailing points
We are glad to find that movement of this
sort is to be inaugurated on the Gath inst, ORR
ginating in the disappointment caused by the
late regatta Owing to a variety of crcum-
stances, that race was not looked upon % o fair
test of the capabilities of the vessels entered.
Ii was resolved at q meeting held on Monday
last that sort of scrub race around Long
Island, at fifty dollars entry, should take
place. This will put fairly to the proof the
qualities Of the different yachts, whilst at the
same time II will give their owners an equal
ly fair chance Of displaying their seamanship.
With plenty Of sea room and q good stiff
breeze, there will be no difficulty In deciding
with which vessels the palm of superiority lies
The MONEY QUEsnoS.-we have no doubt
but that the money question, as connected with
the general government, will be the great ques-
ton Of the day. All other issues seem to be
settled, with the exception Of this important
one. The fact that the government of the
United States Is under the necessity Of con-
tracing loans of from twenty TO thirty millions
syesr when we are at peace with all the world,
Is q state of things which ought not to exist.
The taxes of the country should be adjusted 90
as TO meet the annual expenditure within the
compass Of each year. This Is the only system
which should be allowed to prevail In time Of
peace.
AxrNrDAB SLEEK IN AN ExcTExENT.-Mr.
Aminidab Sleek, Of the Journal Of Commerce, who
writes occasional paragraphs for the newspapers,
finds out that the HERALD committed blunder
In oloftor A, tha ro-s Of roc~oI M 10 A. Ioot