Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-07-25

WORCESTER, MASS, July 20, 1867.
The remark made by one Of the most dis |
tinguislled and learned statemen Of England,
that he felt the completeness of his life mar
red by not having rowcd in University
race, contained probably as much earnest
ness us jest for no matter how much we
appreciate and prize the honors conferred
by our Alma Mater for fair display OF
brains, there are qualities required by the
men who bring their boat first 10 the win
ming post in University race, the prepare
tons Tor which usually take months of pa
thence and hard work, which even those who
take but an indifferent view of mu:cuar en-
ulation, cannot help but admire.
In England, where rowing has become
national pastime, and where the art has
nearest reached perfection, the mar who
pulled the stroke oar in any of the annual
regattas, between the great Universities Of
Oxford and Cambridge, enjoys reputation
scarcely il ut all second to him who wins
eSssp!jo9a eqnqrs in hs Golege Indeed
to be proud Of son who rows in the win
nin5 boat, and because Of the ALMOST uniyer-
sal nteres, with which these annual aquatic
contests are regarded, Regatta Day is fast
becoming the next greatest holiday to the
Derby,
With us the nearest approach to the annual
meeting on the Thames, is that for which
the goodly city of Worcester has for some
days, indeed weeks, been preparing, and
which took place yesterday afternoon al
Lake Quinsigamond.
Unlike the great English Regatta, where
the roweis may be the representative muscle
OF several different colleges which make up
what are GENERALLY known as the Universe
ties OF Oxford and Cambridge, the contests
mere have been between the students of the
cottages only, Yale and Harvard, both ven
cradle anu wealthy institutions. There is in
boating, as in other things, generous rival
ny, which eliminates every summer, in the
meeting ut this place, as about middle
ground between the two, and so much
interest have hey excited within
a few years, that the quiet, staid
little city, goes almost beside itself in
influx of visitors which these regatta cxer
cises bring them. With friends and towns
men in both colleges, the people of Worces-
ter are of course divided III their allegiance,
anti so thoy give hearty welcome to all,
and such II hubbub docs the regatta make,
that as a native said to the writer ''election
day isn't to be mentioned with it,"
In late years since base ball has become
so popular and universal pastime, u match
at tins game is usually played between the
ffeshinel nnl Snpl.omores OF the two col
leges, and ut which the interest being less
generally felt outside of the classes. the
genus American Student can be seen ere he
has become "a grave and reverend Senior''
in his freshest and BEST that is, barring of
course his disposilonto bet his loose change
on his fayoritc color, Magenta for Harvard,
and Blue far Na!e. This betting is becom-
inS quite common feature OF the ball
matches, as IL always hus been to IL consid-
cradle extent At the regattas, and should of
course be condemned by all lovers of good
morals; but il is done with such a flourish
of fun, and good humor and boyisl banter
that il is hoped no very serious harm will
come OF 1t, particularly when it is considered
the boys will spend all the money thoy nave
anyhow with few exceptions indeed. thew
viii leayn OF betting when they leave of
having u class to bet on
The festivities OF the week then, regatta
week as it is called, commenced on Thurs
day, the 18th inst, by ball match In the
morning between the Freshmen, or gradna.
ting class of 1870 of the two colleges, and in
the afternoon another between the Sopho-
mores, fale winning in both In tho latter
mitch the game was elusoly contested, the
fed hrlng lllb thvorite color by great odds.
hui tue Blue winning by II single run. All
Wv VI wv s5tiiit
cheers and enthusiasm among the winners
was tremendous, and to dull, plodding bust
ness folks who We're fortunate enough to
witness il decidedly eXhiaraiing.
In the evening gay party assembled at
Mechanics Hall, when the iar Worcester
ties pledged the success Of their iayorite
boat, In eyes Overlooking with smiles, the
college clubs sang their rollitking college
songs, and the Red and the Blue iuslled each
other in the "gidty mazes of the dance"
or the doings Of the mob of crazy young
sters thai made night hitleous ut tile Bay
State House. il is unnecessary to sneak. ex
cept to say that party of untamed, irrcs
ponsble savages, of double their numbers
could not possibly have succeeded better In
preventing the guests Of The Hotel from
sleeping, had Their scalps even been the for
fuit VI i,ilure,to the number of sometime
less than an handred they poured throupb
the halls and entries Of tlie house, roaring
and liootHs. klck.lg the doors, and beatin9
them with heavy canes, aud creating such
heatlenish uproar, that Pantemonum If.
self seemed to have broken loosc-it is
doubtful II the proprcGrs Of the Hotel
were paid for such racket, aud The conse-
dueht damage 10 property, even though
every room had four To six bctls In 1t. and
those, two dollars apiece pea Eight
,lulet was hnally Restored, about time to
get up on Friday morning, aud Worcester
arose, temporary Worcester al hest. dull.
and sleepy, and IN M very good humor, for
the dispenser OF showers was ahead of them,
ana appearances promised liberal display
OF his stock in trade; raining at short in
telyals during the whole Morning, A base
baii match vas much interfered with, and
finally postponed entirely, betwe, n the
picked mines of Harvard, and Williams Col
leges, disappointing the large crowd which
went to the Horticultural grounds to witness