Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1867-04-26
From the London Society. for April.
BOATING LIFE AT OXFORD.

~
From the London Society. for April
BOATING LIFE AT OXFORD.
AS few people, IN all probability, know
what is meant by Torpid" 1t may be as
well to begin with a brief explanation of
that rather unattractive tenn. There are
two periods of the year at which races reg
ularly take place between ne eight-oared
boats of the various colles IS in Oxford,
namely, March and May. In May, crews
formed of the best eight men that
can be got together out of each college,
and called par erceNencs the Flights"
race against each other for the headship of
the river, or strive to come as near it as
they may. In March the racing of the
second best boats takes place: these boats
are the "Torpids" Why so called none
can tell the origin of the name is yelled
in mystery, which it would seem to the
present writer sacrlege to attempt to pene-
trate. No one who has rowed in his col
lege eight of the previous year is allowed
to row in Torpid, so that the Torpid crews
are formed chiefly of the fresh blood of the
year, and. as showing what is the new ma
terial in each college, the Torpid races pos
sess peculiar interest for the rowing COM
munity of Oxford So much for explana-
ton, which, however necessary, is likely to
be dull. shall now proceed with the his
tory of the st. Anthony's Torpid for the
year IS.
We adalways been proud of our Torpid;
l say "we, for, though at the time | speak
of / was but freshman, felt myself heir
to al the traditions Of the college, and
good Torpid was one Of the oldest. What
ever our pick of men might be, whatever
10 inbf IN md ha1 ftrr
share-we had always worked hard and
made the best of it; and we could, and
often did say with pride, that never since
we put on Torpid had we fallen so low as
to take it off. The year before came up
to st. Anthony's our boat had moved up
from ninth to fifth CD the river, and the
proves OF the crew was well remembered
at every festive gathering of the college.
This year, however. our prospects were
not OF the brightest; our best man had
been drafted into the eight, and the fresh
men OF the year were not of promising
lot; or, according to Baxter, who. like
most big men. inclined to a Responding
view of things, :" no good at all"
Why. look here, young 'un," heard
him say to the more sanguine Tip, 81
coached that big lubber Wilkinson every
day last term to try and make something
of him. and all he does now is To put his
oar in deep, and pull it out with a ierk.'
"Well but, my dear fellow" returned
Tip, all that bone and muscle must be
got to work somehow, and I'm sure the
mans willing enough besides, Just
think what an awful duffer You were
yourself when you began to row; by
JOve, | shall never forget your plaintive
old face when Thornhill was pitching into
you for not keeping your arms straight -
No more OF that, Tip. or III scrag you"
replied Baxter, as Tip began an imitation
of his first essay. in rowing; "Tll have an
other turn at the big duffer, but it 5 my be-
lief the boat will be bumped three times
with the crew we've got at present Come
along it is time we were down at the
barge
From the time when Thornhill resigned,
and SAID goodbye, the boating spirit had
entered deeply into my soul, and / made a
strong resolve that, if perseverance and
hard work could do it, / would some day
be good oar. | had learned something
about the handling of an oar on the river
near my own home, and By dint of hard
practice and plenty of coaching achieved
at last what was then the dearest wish of
my heart, place in the St Anshony's tor
pid. Wingfeld, being by far the lightest
man III the college, and possessing that
quickness and self-confidence which is in
dlspensabie In eoxswain, was learning the
art of steering, aud was pretty sure to keep
his position in the stern of the boat.
1t wanted now three weeks to the first
day Of the races, and | was seated in the
window Of my rooms, which were on the
ground floor, pegging away at Euripides
tCr the smalls' that doomed in the dis
lance, when 4 was aware of Hallett and
Baxter, talking at short distance from
me.
Have you considered, old man." began
Baxter, 4" that it only wants three weeks to
the races, and the Torpid is not made I'D
YETI"
Yes, | know, replied Hallett, ats an
awkward state of things the men ought to
go into training tomorrow, but it's no use
without having the crew settled, and es-
pecially stroke"
Just SC" said Baxter, rather indistinct-
~, for he had cigar in his mouth.
Well, what's to be done? We must try
somebody; there's Wilkinson will do well
enough for five; must say he's turned out
better than ever expected, and We're is
pretE good at six, and Hilton makes q fair
two put none OF them would do for stroke"
wei there's young Maynard, OBJ
80 w. AA@ACsts IclftNllteH Al III Il
tpricke4 up my ears, and Euripide5 and
NuaHs vanished into thin air. Hes not
the best oar in the boat" continued Hal
lett, but he has the most pluck and go
about him Of any; suppose we try him to-
day. Whereabouts does he hang out
Halo y he went on, in lower tone. isn't
that his name over the sdoorss If hes in.
he must have heard all we have been
saying With that he knocked, and both
entered. =, = =.
Good morning, Maynard / expect YOU
heard what Baxter and I were talking
about outside" l turned rather red, and
confessed had. well" said Hallett
...you see we want you to row stroke to.
day, and if you get on all right well begin
training tomorrow"
You mustn't be surprised, you know"
said Baxter, " if you're sent back to your
old place
"Oh, of course not" replied /. meekIy.
: but Ill do the best / can to keep my place
at stroke"
All right returned Hallett "mind
you re down In time-three o'clock sharp.
you KNOW and he and Baxter left the
ROOM 80 ~
Irenember-as if il were yestervia1 The
feeling of mingled pride and nnksivino
with whichf Stepped into the bosf thai
afternoon to row stroke. felt a ii an the
river would be watching every turn Of nv
oar, and, as the boat went swimmineI3o xyJ,
the stream, lfancied could hear fke ,aen
on the bargeesaying to each other, aHere