The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-29

The interest felt 80 recently throughout
England and far outside in the doings of her
older heads in the magnificent halls of Parlia-
ment on the banks of the muddy Thames very
naturally and easily turns to-day three or four
miles up the river, to the famous Putney to
Mortlake course, where her chosen younger
men will meet in friendly struggle at the oars;
for, at three o'clock, London time, Cambridge
University will do her utmost, for fourth time
in succession, send away to the little "Cam''
the news that Oxford was second at the finish.
Many times previously it was first the other way.
Away back in 1829-has she made similar
effort, and though often victorious, yet for the
nine whole years following 1860 she had the
disheartening record of nothing but defeat
Then she again found how to win, and till to-
day has made that knowledge stand her in
good stead. Whatever our dispatches may
tell us OF noon, when we recall for moment
the weather of the last six weeks, and
that the severe work of preparation of
the rowers of to-day has been done in
q climate that has lately proved but little, if
any, milder than ours, and when it is quite
possible that this race, as was more than one
of its predecessors, may be rowed in the mid
die of snow storm, we may readily see how
pertinent is the following passage from q let
ter of an eminent English physician, Dr.
Humphrey, Professor Of Anatomy at Cam
bridge University. Giving his opinion on the
effects of boat racing on the health, as shown
by members Of that institution, after refer
ring to both it's benefits and objections, he
adds eff we are to train in our Universities,
as we wish to do and as the country needs, an
independent, noble and brave, as well as intel
igent and industrious youth, we must leave
them, to some extent free to encounter the
risks of sport as well as of work which their
energies involve. Mediocrity in play is in
ferior only to mediocrity in work. and excel
lence in neither can be attained without some
risk. The nation that is best in one is likely
to be best in the other. It is among the
glories and hopeful features of England
that she excels in sports. Whatever
doubt there may be as to the prudence
of singing out so bleak time of year
for hard work upon the water, there can be
little question that the qualities desired by
the writer have here ON excellent chance for
developments
When we think of one of these sturdy young
Britons coming on from four-mile practice
pull at racing pace on such day as Monday
or Tuesday last, and being not only none the
worse but apparently far the better for it, we
can oil the more readily let horse cars alone,
and on our way to and from work give
''shanks' mare" more liberty. While we are
slow to admit that because England plays bet
ter than America she works better too, there
certainly is q widespread lack among the
young Americans of to-day Of anything like
systematic exercise, and the consequent hardi-
hood and vigor of body which might be had
so easily. But it is pleasant to note
that so far as the more Avored of
them are concerned in this matter of
rowing, the interest in physical development
is decidedly on the increase Within few
days there will meet at Springfield delega3s-
not as of old, from Harvard and Yale alone,
but from Harvard, Yale, Amherst, the Amherst
Agriculturals. Brown, Dartmouth, Bruins
wick, Williams, .Middletown, and, we are glad
to add our own Oolumbia-all purposing being
on hand to complete the arrangements for the