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


pluck and endurance, spite of their deficiency in
what English rowing men regard as science and
skill ID .-. .rf ..r.
/ heartily hope they maya remark | should not
think necessary to add but for some comments on
former letters of mine. expressed an opinion from
the first against the match whereupon one or two
good-nature critics at the pains to say had
grudge against Harvard because rowed IN the Yale
boat which was beaten IN 1852. If cherished
grudge on that score. l may be supposed to have
settled it in 1857 by rowing in the Union" sx-oar
which beat the Harvard eight for the first Beacon
cup over the Boston course. But would have
nothing to do with rowing il thought it bred such
petty enmties nor do believe the writer's who hint
at them either rowing men or speak for Harvard
rowing mon. am ashamed to be defending myself
against such imputations. / gave an honest
opinion. which i am only too sorry to
find confirmed by the almost or quite
universal opinion among rowing men here. now that
that the Harvard crew are come and their merits
have been judged And if were twenty times
Yaensian 1 cannot conceive how American in
England should remember such distinctions, or in q
matter like this at Issue between the two countries
be anything but an American filled with American
sympathies and wishes. Having said which, do not
think any sort of impertinence can induce me to
recur to the topic Nor do mean to say much, if
X,
You may get letters from Harvard man who is with
the crew, and who give you all needful nforma-
ton from their point of view and shall be glad to
leave details till the day of the race when de-
scription may take the place Of speculation on the
result.
On other point let me say emphatic word to
Americans. Rid your minds Of the notion that our
Harvard crew will not have fair play. Be sure they
will have it in full measure. know of nobody who
would deny it to them. cannot imagine for whose
interest it would be to deny it, or who could have
any wish inclination TO bring foul play to bear
this match. Not the Oxford men, certainly. They
gentlemen they have the full English love Of
fair play they have long record Of honorable vic
tories TO be soiled and blotted hopelessly by tri-
umph that should be open even to the suspicion of
unfairness Not the betting men, Of whom some
fears have been expressed in America, with a shade
more reason. Some New-York paper quotes the Hee-
nanSayers fight. if that analogous. 1t isnOt
in the least That was q contest of rufians;
this is q rivalry between gentlemen. Great
sums of money were staked on that. Ii was said
long before the fight came off there was too much
money on Sayers to allow him TO lose True. beyond
doubt and true If you like, that Heenan was
drugged as believe no was, in his fight with King.
But boat-race is not prize fight The betting fra
ternity high and low will have little money to win
OF lose on this event Very little is even staked on
the Oxford OF Cambridge matches. The reason is
plain. There bat two boats and the race is sure
70 be fairly rowed hence there is no chance for
book making, and no chance for cheating. Those
two elements struck out there is nothing left which
can much interest the professional swindlers who
thrive on the Turf They would be perfectly capable
Of playing Harvard tricks if they had any interestn
their defeat, and they would just as readily do the
-t,rp to Oxf ford Eor
men the sentiment Of patriotism is as unknown as
any other honorable feeling 1t is enough for US that
from them the two boats run exactly equal risks
and that neither can be in any danger.
The course IL liable 20 obstruction on the day Of
the race from barges, from steamers still more
from small boats lying near the shore and pulling
out too far in their eagerness TO see the race. But
that again is risk common TO both crews. OF late
years the steamers have been kept astern, and the
river between Putney and Mortlake closed to all
craft except rowboats for hours before the
We are promised this year that the regulations shall
be more stringent than 1t is proposed that the
whole course shall be buoyed, and no boat of any
kind except the two engaged, allowed within the
buoyed lines IL is even urged that no steamers the
umpires alone excepted, shall be permitted TO follow
the race. The Thames Conseryancy have ample power
10 enforce these any other regulations they may
think IL wise TO make. You may be sure there is
every disposition TO do whatever shall be thought
needful by the crews themselves.
But the British public will be against Harvard.
and on the side Of OIfordi OF course it will just
the American public will be against Oxford and on
the side Of Harvard. One public will have just as
much influence as the other on the result of the race
To suppose that tho wish Of the spectators for an
English victory should lead them to interfere is to
suppose that they will make victory for Oxford i'm
possible. Every man who witnesses that race will
know and feel that an English triumph will DO
worse than worthless II gained by outside help,
And know enough OF English crowds to know that
IL Harvard can lead through Hammersmith Bridge.
they will be cheered to the echo by the great mass
that will look down on them as they pass beneath
Nor do / suppose that Harvard would exactly stop
rowing il they were not cheered.
And. finally, If anything could provoke inter-
ference il would be the suspicion of it publicly e1
pressed. What has been said already IL mschievous
enough The English press resent IL justly; and in
resentng il they speak for the whole English people
II is unworthy Of us 10 anticipate unfainess but II
we do let us for the future have tact enough to keep
:. "a orraolves @. VS..
TIM URW DOHINION