The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-27
THE BOAT RACE TO-DAY.

The race between the Harvard and Oxford
crews will come off to-day if no untoward
accident should cause delay, and thanks to
the Atlantic cable, which annihilates the old
fashioned notions of time and space, we will
probably receive the news of the result about
9 or half-past 2 o'clock this afternoon, al
though the race itself will not take place until
3 O'Clock, London time. But we are accus-
toned to these things nowadays, and have
ceased to wonder at them. This friendly
contest of strength and skill between two
little bands of college students has
awakened an interest on both sides of
the Atlantic out of all proportion to
its real merits and importance, and yet as the
race is looked upon, not unnaturaly, as a
contest between America and England, the
excitement on the subject is scarcely to be
wondered at The Americans, since they have
been in England, have steadily grown in the
appreciation of their entertainers, and the
confidence which was at one time felt in an
easy victory for Oxford has been materially
diminished, and it is now anticipated that the
race will be close one whichever party wins.
On this side of the Atlantic there does not
exist the most thorough regard for the much
vaunted British fair play, and grave fears are
entertained that the Americans will not be
permitted to win under any circumstances. One
great point has been gained, however, by the
selection of Mr. Thomas Hughes, NJ P, for
referee, for his decisions will readily be
acduiesced in on both sides of the Atlantic
with hearty goodwill, no matter which side
he awards the victory to. The FdH Hd1 Gd-
zette, in commenting on the prospects of the
race, is specially indignant at the want of con-
fidence displayed by the American press and
it demonstrates to it's own satisfaction at least
that there is vast difference between con-
test like this between gentlemen, and prize
fight between such men as Heenan and
Savers. Sad to say, our opinion of some of the
English gentry particularly those who are in
terested in sporting matters, is not so high,
and the reports that reach us from time to
time through exclusively English
channels is not likely to increase our
regard for them. Thus far, however,
it appears that every reasonable effort has
been made to give the Harvard crew a clear
course, and to allow the race to be decided
upon its merits. If there is any suspicion of
unfairness, or any attempt whatever made to
impede the American boat, we believe that
Mr.. Hughes will promptly interfere and see
that exact and impartial justice is done. In
his letter accepting the unthankful post of
referee he says:-'I should lie if 1 said hope
you will win but do hope that at the finish
the bow of Harvard's boat will be at the
stroke oar of Oxford -
On our first page we give full description
of the preliminaries of the race, and also a
map of the course on the river Thames, which
will enable our readers to understand the
whole affair. The Harvard crew. it should
be remembered, labor under number of
disadvantages; and if they should win, as
there appears to be fair chance of their
doing, the victory wiN be 50 much the more
to their credit.