The New York herald., 1869-09-03

The Intsrnatlonal Boat Raoo-A 6peck On
tho Sun Of vlctsry.
By special telegram from London, dated
yesterday and forwarded through the Atlantic
cable, we are informed that Mr.. william, one
of the Oxford boats crew during the late in
ternatlopsl race, has published in the London
journals letter over his signature on the sub
ject of the actual distance between his COM
parions and the Harvard men at the moment
of victory, including very ingeniously pointed
selfish reference to the respective prowess as
well as the physical condition of the con-
testants just previous to and at the
close. Mr.. william sets out by objecting
to the decision Of Sir Aubrey Paul which re-
cords the winning of the race by the Oxiords
by half boats length in the clear. He does
not, as it appears, decidedly deny the accuracy
of Sir Aubrey, but claims that the Oxfords
could have accomplished much more than they
really did, asserting ''the Oxford men were
merely making chlld's play towards the con-
clusion Of the race" and ''they could have
increased the final distance between themselves
and the Harvard boat had they wished to do
So" Mr.. Williams communication is not only
untimely and in very bad taste, but-as incon-
siderats or splenetic expressions for the most
part dots utterance renders him inconsis
tent and at variance not only with the decision
and the popular verdict, but with himself.
A couple of evenings subsequent to the day
on which the race took place the members of
the London Rowing Club, as our readers re-
member, entertained the men OF the Oxford
and Harvard crews at grand banquet given
in the Crystal Palace. It was ''feast Of
reason" Friends abounded on all sides, and
q really international commingling both Of
heart and hand ensued Oxford did not
appear very much elated; the Harvards expe-
rienced no feeling Of depression. Mr.. william
represented the Oxfords on the occasion. In
his after-dinner address he first apologized
for the absence Of his colleagues at the oar,
and, proceeding to speak Of the actual struggle,
said :-s'With respect to the race, as
an old hand, it had not been won easily.
1t was the best race he ever rowed." And
again, as specially reported by the cable,
Mr.. william asserted, ''That of all
the races in which he had rowed he
had never been so hard pressed as in the
race with the Harvards." Such were the
words of Mr.. william, refreshed by exertion,
recuperated from any physical exhaustion he
may have experienced, gratifed by triumph,
and on his own soil They evidently came
from his heart. What feeling has Influenced
his penp Has he felt the effect of the out
burst of genuine British feeling which his
countrymen displayed towards the Harvards ?
Is it distasteful to him personality Is he not
'.n tone" and exactly in physique9 Had he
to do over much to winP We cannot indeed
account for his present exhibition of such
attempt at this sort of what may be called
post 06H detraction, and are consequently
compelled to class his letter, as it has been
already rated in London, as q piece Of
"Cockney bounce" the writing Of which
attests the very fact which its author at
tempts, but in vain, to disprove, VIZ, that
the Oxfords enjoy q victory barely won over
gallant men. Mr.. william stands a shade in
the sun1iOht