The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-03
THE LAST OF THE BOAT RACE.
Banquet 10 the Harvard and Oxford
Clubs-Speeches by Charles Dickens
and others.

Cable telegrams OF the S1st ultimo give an
interesting account OF the banquet to the Ok
ford and Harvard Clubs, which took place on
the previous evening. The dispatches say:
grand fete was given at the Crystal Palace
at Sydenham, last evening, IN honor OF the
Harvard and Oxford boat crews, by the Lon
don Rowing Club. Mr.. Layton, the presloene
OF the club occupied the chair. All the mem.
bers of the Harvard crew we're present, exceps
mir. Ioring. but MIR. william alone represented
the Oxford crew. There we're present one
hundred and twenty invited guest, including
Charles Dickens, Thomas Hughes, Edmund
Yates. Captain Anderson and many oIner nota-
bles. Messrs. Motley and moran were sen-
dered invitations, but were unable to attend.
The rooms were tastefully decorated with the
American and British figs, as we'll as those OF
the different boat clubs. liter the dinner
tosst, were given to the Queen Of England
and the President Of the United States, which
were drunk with enthusiastic and prolonged
cheers.
Charles Dickens was received with repeated
rounds of applause. It was some minutes be-
fore he could speak. He payfully alluded to
the fact of the chairmans de putting him to
propose the toast of the evening: "Ihe Oxford
and Harvard Crews" [Cheers.] Hes sud a re,
markable and affecting volume was published
at the time Of his last visit 10 America. Toat
five of the Harvard students. who at one time
or another bore arms in tho service or tnelr
country. Nothing was more remarkaoie ~
these descendants OF our forefathers than .nS
iuyincible determination with whlch some OF
them fought against odds In the late war, ana
the dauntless spirit with which they sustained
defeat. Who would say, after the contest OF
Friday that Harvard was less true to herself
in peaoe than in WARP Who could fall to re-
cognize IN the boats crew the leaven OF her
soldiers and not feel that che has now
a greater right than ever to be proud
of her sons, and take them to her breast
when they return, with resounded accama-
tion2 The Duke of Wellington said there
was only one thing worse than great victory
o great defeat; but there was another sense n
the use of the term "a great defeat. Sucn
was the defeat Of handful of daring fellows
who made dash Of thousands OF miles ID or
der to meet conquerors in Their own DOMAIN
[cheersl-a defeat such as that which Harvard
had sustained-[cheers.l He regretted the
absence of the Oxford men. BE would not say
much OF theri, good or bad. Ii anything was
to be said to their disparagement It was tnat
thew hsi won 80 often. He thought they could
sff6rd TO lose in the event OF another contest.
Fe was sure be expressed his own feelings. the
feelings Of Oxford, and the feelings OF Eng
Iishmen. when he bade the Harvards cordial
welcome, and wished them God-speed IN their
homeWard journey. TIE victory might be
Raryards next time. Meanwnie ne assurea
them OF an enthusiastic welcome at homo.
which would find an echo in every corner OF
England. He concluded amid great applause,
Coupling The toast with the names OF Simmons
and WIliap.
hIr. Simmons replied briefly. He expressed
h1s warmest thanks for the cordially and hos
pitaiity extended to the Harvard crew. While
Recognizing their defeat. he hoped the next
crew or the same crew, if they came over again.
would find in that defeat their success. Ihey
had been benefited by the experience: Cook-
inc to the crew by which they were defeated.
be had no reason to be ashamed.
Mr.. william, on the part OF the Oxtords' re-
gretted the unavoidable absence OF the remaip'
der OF the crew. With respect to the race, as
an old hand. he said, it had not been won easi-
", II was ehc best race he ever rowcd.
Thomas Hughes then toasted tDe London
Club. He referred to mis- own experienc. and
the elories Of the English universities. He
asserted that Harvard university, IN produc-
ing James Russell Lowell. John Lathrop Mot
ley Halph Waldo Emel son and Louis Agassla,
had reas n to pride itself. Future generations
would regard some of the Harvards with the
vencretion gwen to our Hampdens and others,
MIR. Pisyford proposed the toast, "Our vis-
tors" He regretted that the HaIvards bad not
used a coach. No crew could attain perfection
without q coach. He urged them to use one in
their future training.
After the toast to the London Club. Mr.. Rice
proposed to the Harvards only to give cheers
on account Of the courtesy and kindness shown
by the club. They were given amid great ap-
plauss. ,...,.
At the conclusion there was grand display
of fireworks in honor OF the occasion.
MORE COMMENTS OF TEE BRITISH PRESS.
The STANDARD has the following criticism on
the boat race The rowing of the Harvards
was rather injudicious-it was too fast to last;
want Of good recovery LETT them tucked up over
their oars at the end OF o stroke. They reach
ed out well, and rowed with straight backs and
arms. but there was not work in taeir strokes.
Though the Oxonians were helvier, it does not
follow that weight brought them in first; 1t
was rather their style. 10 the long. run, style
is sure to win when strength is equal.