The New York herald., 1869-08-29
The Boat Race.

While the enthusiasm concerning the boat
race on the Thames has partially subsided,
and the afflicted ones have probably paid their
debts incurred by rash or patriotic betting on
the result, there is still good deal of interest
felt as to the reason why the Harvard crew,
having fine lead and choice Of position,
did not win the race. We think, judging from
the full and complete accounts published yes
terday in our columns, that the failure of the
American crew may TO some extent be attri
buted to selecting the outer line of the circle
in the first place, Oh the Middlesex side Of the
river, and next in yielding for time to their
opponents and holding back when the boats
ran close together. The natural and proven
bal courtesy of Americans may have prompted
the action; but the crew most probably lost
few seconds in time by the concession, which
was all-important, considering that the race
was won by six seconds only. But the result
OF the race can, after all, be most reaso nably
credited to the style of Craftsmanship adopted
by the Harvard crew, with great deal Of
allowance for the fact that they were racing in
strange waters; that since their arrival in
England they had not sufficient practice on the
course, with every twist and current of which
their opponents were perfectly familiar, and
moreover that they carried dead weight in
their coxswain, to which they were entirely
unaccustomed in their own method of rowing
on American rivers and lakes. 1t is trne that
they noby accepted the issue knowing that
all these disadvantages existed.
These facts however, operate strongly in
favor of the proposition to have another
trial, aud that it should take place
or Lake Quinsigamond, where our boys will
have an opportunity to make such terms and
| concessions as may be agreeable TO the Oxon-
| ians, and we may be sure that, should such
| an event take place, Harvard will not bo
| found wanting in magnanimity.
We publish to-day very full account of the
various contests which partake of an inter
| national character that have taken place for
| some years past between this country and
England, in the prize ring, on the turf, on the
river and on the ocean. The story will recall
many incidents of the friendly rivalry existing
| DetWecn Inc tWO Ill tht mttttf vi
sports on land and water.
Just at this time there are two events on the
aquatic tapis which will create some excite
ment. The English yacht Cambria and the
American yacht Dauntless are to start on or
about the st of September for an ocean race
between the Isle of Wight and Sandy Hook.
This trial between two boats of known reputa-
ton will doubtless create considerable interest.
Then the rowing match on the Thames be-
tween the American oarsman, Walter Brown
and Renforth, who once beat Kelley, the crack
sculer of England, is soon to come Of 1t
woald seem, therefore, that for the time being
aquatic sports of an international character
are TO form the ingredients Of popular excite
ment on both sides of the Atlantic, instead Of
wars and rumors of wars with their grizzly
fronts So much the better II is part of the
programme in our modern civilization that we
should fight our battles with oars and sails
and issue our protocols Of victory by electric
telegraph.