The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-24
YACHTING IN ENGLAND.
Tho Royal Yacht Squadron Resatta.-Ihe
Muster, tho Weather and Scenes ~

The Royal Yacht Squadron Resatta.-The
Muster, tho Weather and Scenes a.
Cowes.
Cows, August L. 1858.
pearl gray SKY. dappled here and there with
skImming clouds whispering Of wind and delight
fully suggestive Of reef points and lee gunwaes buried
In white water-ushered In the opening day Of the
grand gala week which the members OF the Royal
Yacht Squadron annually celebrate on the silver
SOlent Long before the boom Of the morning gun
family borne across by the breeze from distant Spit
head heraded the first CLEAN Of sunrise the pic
turesque little roadstead of COwes was ail stir and
animation. The feet Of pleasure craft that dotted
the harbor seemed suddenly, and q II
under common impulse, to wake to
sense OF the magnitude Of the occasion !;
gay burgess bearing the escutcheon OF almost every
yacht club Of note in the English waters, and con-
spicuous among the mass Of bunting the red cross
and golden crown Of the royal squadron, nuttered
gallanty In the morning air from countless mast
heads; the note Of preparation clamorQue Ufrun,
str'ido'Que Notwithstanding merrily through the
festive little pleasure port OF active hands
were busily engaged In Overhauling canvas and
gears, upon the soundness OF which so much might
turn before sunset; while as the morning advanced
a little notiila Of tiny pinnaces and iputan long
boats, ''all glorious within" with polished oak and
FURNISHED fittings, might be seen dancing over
the "tender curving lines OF creamy spray" that
fringe the SOlent's green belt In the direction
OF the black tier Of long, low, snakeheaded craft
that are ranged in one unbrOken line abreast the
'Caste," now lying mOtionless 'Iike painted ships
upon a painted ocean," but which an hour hence
will be tearing along through foam and spray like
greyhounds loosed from the slip in eager rivalry
mat coveted trophy 80 dear to the heart OF every
ENGLISH yachtman-the Queens Cup"
On shore the same display OF excitement
and animation prevails-n anything, perhaps
thought more intense and magnifed. From the
''Castle"- tradtionally supposed TO have been
erected by the august but somewhat uxorous
monarch Henry WILL. but which, to judge
siderable alteration since 1t became the
headquarters OF the squadron-a harmless
peaceful line of BATTLE and every stay spar. block
and halyard Is narrowly scrutinized by score OF
selfconsttuted critics, as though the result of the
inspection were to decide the issue OF the days
race while below the ''lawnn is dotted with little
knots of idlers OF both sexes and all conditions
guardsmen, budding millionnalres OF 'no famiy,h
who take to Yachting because 1t means good society;
who find their way to Cowes by instinct at regatta
times via GOodwOod; hardup younger sons, brieness
barrisers wei,conneced government clerks Jerks, ION ION
not least, groups Of brighteyed. golden-hared Eng
lish girls
Fresh the foam bahed in Psphian wells
''go up" in irrepr0achable blue serge jackets and
In the nattiest of little yachting hatstalking laugh
ing flirting, whispering-for all the world as though
the PARK ana the ZOO" nad been HIteu DOuly
out OF the heart OF the London season and trans
planted by the side Of the SOent. But Is 1t not the
Old story OF cCpunl, non dntiaen,, ndn, Qut trdns
mare cU,T7tnt?
Turning to the Espanade we meet with an equally
characteristic scene. There are yachtmen and
specimen OF the true type-in all likelihood an old
hafpay navy veteran who, after life time of knock
ing about, has settled quietly down to his moor
ings at Cowes, where he can always get o
sniff Of the sea. that brings back pleasant
"reminiscences OF his younger days and blue
water. He can't afford to keep yacht OF his own
but there Is lack Of hOspitabe souls 'at or about
the station who are only too happy to give the
ply requited by the salt flavor Of his gunr0om jokes
and Old World "reminiscences. OF course ne IL
staunch conservative on the score OF seamanShip.
He does not believe In your new tangled yachting
notions; no scouts your iron and steel built vessels
stout, honest oak was good enough In his time. lie
laughs to scOrn your spnnikers and baooners, and
holds article OF nautical faith that ir0n-cads
monitors and similar monstrosities are neither more
nor less than seductive devices or the Evil One. Next
to him Is typical young gentleman of the ne0-nau-
teal school, who abominates yachting and all Its
belongings, but comes regularly to COwes-"because
| II ~ the thing to do, you knOwN-and there IL no
where else to 20 TO between the Goocwood and 1.-THE
| twelfth - though II ~ perhaps All open question
| whether in his heart OF hearts he entertans any
stronger love for the turf the mO0rs than for the
sea. Still, II IL 1.-THE thing" to come 10 Cowes al
regatta time, and he submits TO the annual boredom
like man ana martyr, and, as "a matter OF course,
steps out OF his hotel every mOrning-as rule hall
an hour late for the start-attired In the most
elaborate nautical costume, and from the crown OF
his rreprOachabe straw hat to the sole OF his bran
Yachting shoes IL painfully salt" or course
| he yacht, which is very convenient for his
friends has notion Of sailing her than he
has OF sqnartng the circles. But why lnger over
these improbable details II II not Cowes on re-
gatta day, and does IL not tell MS own story