New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-18
g1RVARD AND OXFORD.

HARVARD And OAFOED.
Rowing, once tame and vulgar pastime,
has of late become classical and almost epiCal.
What time the Roman T0wers made at their
galcys, what races have come OFF between
Indian canoe-meu, how London wherrymen
pulled together in days bygone, history
does not observe; but we are likely to
have no end of celebration to the match
between Harvard and Oxford When
scholars become athletes the muse is always
convenient TO lmmortaize their exploits and
when such students as those OF Oxford ana
Harvard challenge each other to contest OF
arms with oars at the end of them, they have
all the classics looking on, and the world be-
side. To read that one Of the Harvard men is
of such herculean thew and suew that statue
should he made out of him at the Hub, in the
event of victory, is TO make MS forget BOs-
ton and think of Greece. Scarcely less is
our~.sensation at hearing of that strong
and hearty pull, that bold and mighty
sweep, which belong to the 0xOnians. Our
interest rs bOok-readers and lovers of the
eudite muscular school is only increased upon
reflection that the crew of oxford are sons of
the Alma Mater of all England's heroes, whether
contemplative or practical. and that about the
consanguinity of transcendentalists and aboli-
tionists, of Emerson and Sumner, and we know
not what other giants attached to Boston.
Hence we hope that, for the honor of the
American classics ut large as we'll as for the
fame of Harvard, our University men will not
be beaten. But we may as well prepare
ourselves for defeat, as something which may
happen in possibility with all honor to the
braves who have been sent over to row
for ms. In first contest on new
water, with long, steady and tradi-
tional practice matched against them, with
some difficulty of adapting themselves TO the
peculiar, but, rs it seems. sensible system of
the English the course of our eXperimenters
may be somewhat against stream. Certain it
is that the tide of British opinion is running
counter to their craft. The most sanguine can
not avoid the apprehension that our Harvard
ians may be Outrun. after reading the various,
and sometimes plausible, and sometimes sens-
BILE comments of tho English press. We are
willing to hear and ponder in the frendliest
spirit all that they have to say-wiling to take
our defeat if it must cOmeAbut heartily
anxious to beat our British brethren
if thews, sinews, pluck, and self possession
such as we send, with what accomplish
ment has been attainable in our University
practice, can do the business. Still, we confess
our concern at the small omens of fault
finding which darken opinion against our
cheerful and venturesome rowers. One critic
says that late stroke of theirs was too short,
and their dip too deep; another says that one
of their oars scooped the water, and that 9TH
ers were short and chOppy. Then, too, their
catch of the water is supposed to he slow, and
their recovery sluggish; Anot cordial friend of
theirs reports that throughout the whole Of a
late course their rowing was marked by irrcgu-
larity-strOkes short, with good deal of
splashing; steering, too, little wild; but then
they were impeded by the swell of steamers.
Yet more recently we are told that the Har-
wards have been rowing with their bodies as
well rs their hands, and with less of that milf
tary stiffness which previously marked their
style. From more than one English authority
we have acknowledgment that the Harvards
are fine and well trained men, who seem lusty
and sit up well, have straight backs and a
fair reach forward 1t is The NepS, we think.
which says for our crew that the lstless man
ner with which they have padded on the
Thames must not be taken as evidence of
their strength, and will, and skill.
On the other hand, the 0XOnians stand in no
want of admirers and partisans. The uninitia-
ted may stake alarm from the assurance that
they are in fine fcttle and are being coached"
One of them is "wel built sturdy young
"Englshman, apparently full of health, strength,
"vgOr and confidence - another has verve
and concentrated power; and we doubt not all
have what our old book reviewers would call
grasp and vim, and take a puissant hold upon
the water. Cable reports that good judges say
the Oxonians are faultess and past comment,
Harvard, it also says, is much improved,
working into the English style. and with an
English boat of lighter make than the one our
crew brought with them. lIarvards last pull
was at the rate Of " to 81 strokes per minute.