The New York herald., 1872-05-13
THE ANGLO-AMERICAN BOAT RACE.
The Atalantas Meet Hearty English Welcome
to the Shores Of England-A Contrast Between
the Way that Oxford Treated Harvard and
How the London Rowing Club Re
ceived the Alalantas-Particular
Regarding the Two Crews

HOW the London Rowing Club he-
ceived the ADMINISTRATION
Regarding the Two Crews
r LONDON, April 20, 1872.
1t seems doubtful whether the f0ur-oared race
between the Atalanta and the London clubs, which
ia fixed for the 10th Of June, will excite quite as
much interest on this side Of the water as was
evinced In the memorable contest between the
Oxford and Harvard Universities. This much, how
ever, Ia certain THE prelimnaries OF the present
match have been better arranged than were those
OF Harvard. When, In February last, telegram
was received by the London Rowing Club contain
Ing o challenge from the Atalanta, In New York,
there was but little time spent in deliberation be-
fore the cartel was taken up and the match made.
The members of the London are not such
sticklers as the Oxford men were about
the credentials Of those against whom they
are to row, and 1t must also be
admitted that in another respect their conduct con-
trasts favorably with that Of the University set.
Given respectable rowing club In New York, con-
sisting Of mercantile or professional men, who
wished to meet London club Of corresponding
caibre in o friendly way, and there was nothing
more to be done but TO conclude the bargain. Nor
is 1t likely that anything will occur to disturb the
friendly feeling which established the arrival
OF the Americans at Liverpool on Wednesday last.
The Inman C0mpanys steamer City Of Montreal
arrived or the Mersey the evening Of that day,
and was met by tender, having on board
MFR. F. s. Gulston, Captain of the London Rowing
Club; Mr.. Herbert H. Playford, one of It's leading
mem bers and Mr. Weston besides several represen-
tatives Of Liverpool rowing clubs. The five gentle
men of the Ataanta Club-namely, DR.. Russell
Withers, Theodore Van Raden, Leander Waterbury,
l. xyardC C,,,tth
ceived by those just named and conducted to the
Washington Hotel, where they passed the night.
On the. Thursday morning the London and New
York men came on from Liverpool to Putney. The
London and Western Railway Co mpany very kindly
gave the use OF saloon carriage for the journey Of
the party and put on truck for the conveyance Of
their boats These were q fOur-oared outrgger
FOR practicng in and single scul boat, In
which 1t is said Mr.. Smith Is likely to try his
fortune against the best English amateur scullers
at the Henley regatta. They all came on by the
express as far Crane Junction, where the saloon
and truck were detached from the express and put
ordinary train for the greater convenience Of
getting to Putney via Willesden and Kensngton.
Hitherto the party had not attracted much notice
since leaving Liverpool but now, on stopping at
stations on the way up to town. their arrival seemed
to have been expected, and they were llonized to
an extent which might have been objected to by
over sensitive people. The Atalanta four,
who by this time were found by their
friends OF London to be really friendly, genial
fellows, bore oil this with equanimity, though wish
ing heartily that all this fuss was over and they
themselves settled down in quiet training quarters.
At Kensngton, where the Northwestern branch
terminates Southwestern engine, in charge Of
superintendent, was attached, and with this the
party were brought on specially to Putney. 4.
IL u.
s a suburban village OF considerable extent a6out
way With, the exception Of one main street OF
small shops few small by streets and several
Of Ve city % men, Who % seas the 'e retire%ens nsas
OF these quiet and readily accessible suburbs
s tn fame ssss Of the y village s us to S being
headquarters Of metropolitan boat racing, whether
BY amateurs or watermen. men History is silent, silent or
stiil stands in the high street Elizabethan man
sion. with the quaint gables OF the Tudor style,
tion says, the famous Crom Gillian general Of that
name fof some time resided bit Putney looks
to boat racing Every year the OXFORD ana Gam
to this part OF the Thames. Every week In summer
there is some greater or smaller event to draw o
@ ds Of Of the many cs u y h
have tlieis habitat about here; now it 10
q, boat race between crews Of the rival
river steamboat companies; now race by crews
consisting of the compositors OF the London daily
newspapers Two new scullers viii, on another
London win row West London; there viii be q
Thames regatta, or there will be pending, o. there
Thames and between Manchester and London
None OF these ever drew like the Oxford and Har-
ward Never was there 2 bigger crowd than on
dams popular phrase goes inst now, 'it was not
altogether happy. The oxford men were distant
and naughty, the Harvards reserved and SILENT
They say that when the Harvard students came
to Putney there was nobody to receive them
and that three days elapsed before any representa-
n Cnu
felt that this was wrong and London seems to have
determined that no such surs should deface the
HOW THE ArALANTAs WERE WELCOMED.
Accordingly they resolved to make bit OF an
pretty little roadside station at Putney, with its
green-swarded slopes looking very fresh in spring
yerars ,sat @ was asa made quite gay with the bunting
Twenty or thirty of London men themselves, In
their hannel boating costumes and straw hats with
receive their friends, the opponents. As many OF
the public, and especially ladies' as could convent
emily remosn on the platform remained, and there
were besides representatives OF the press and extra
contributors to the London daily and sporting Jour-
nails. The special train ran up at five o'clock on
Thursday evening. There was one member OF the
Atalanta who was staying in London and was there
to meet his co club men. Introductions were made
and CONCENTRATIONS exchanged and in q few
moments the American party were freely frater
nizing with the London mon. They were taken to
Mr. Marshaas Fox and Hounds Hotel, one OF the
best In town, and close to the railway station.
where the Oxford crew have STAYED for two years
past. Half an hour later they walked down the
town, accompanied by Mr.. Weston, to the London
Boat House, which is on the rvers bank abont
five minutes walk from Marshall's. Here another
reception awaited them. Carronades were fired
and the men OF London raised hearty cheers which
were again and again repeated in the English ship
mp hurrah" fashion, right ont, with just one
crew reIoined with q .hfp-hip hurrahn and
were then conducted up stairs into the club room
and pledged, solemnly pledged -as is the demure
custom OF us islanders--in beakers or champagne.
couple OF London eights went out on the Thames
soon after, this being the number OF our English
crack crews az compared with the skies, which are
fashionable on the American waters :
BEFORE GOING INTO TRAINING.
Qnexaminipg their boat next day the Atalantas
found she, like themselves, had suffered little
from the unusually stormy passage, and would re-
gure day or two to be put into racing tim
again. They resolved, therefore, not to put
out on the Thames until tomorrow CTuesday).
On Saturday they went to see some athletic