New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-02

race, but those along the banks nave been I'LL con-
trOlled. Almost every year there has been immi-
nent danger of collision, the fault either Of some
outpushing steamer or Of some lawless row.bOat.
This year there was good course. with one excep-
ton. Steamers were permitted to anchor in Corney
Reach not far out in the stream with the result OF
so narrowing the course that only two steamers OF
the four accompanying the race could 30 abreast.
These two were luckily the umpires and the press
Our view clear from beginning to end. The
two University steamers have little or moth
ing after passing Hammersmith Bridge The row.
boats into which Of the most perverse OF man
kind usually throng on these anniversaries, were
kept pretty well in hand this year. One enterprise
ing rufian distinguished himself by rowing leis-
urely across the bow of Cambridge, but did no
harm beyond giving, as I conjecture, nervous
attack to the coxswaIn of the imperiled
craft The same general regulations were made this
year as last. All traffic on the Thames between
Putney and MOrtlake is stopped at noon. Before
that hour all steamers must have passed up with
their freghs of sight-secrs the obstacle to their
later progress being not only moral but material in
the shape of barges swung every pier. Every
steamer going up had to take o policeman on board
and every captain not obeying his policemans
orders understood he was to be fined 800 for each
offense. Last year the rule was the same but not
the understanding-the captain then having be-
lief implanted in his breast that he would be scolded
but not fined. So in fact there were many offenders
but no penalties.
The race was to start at 1915, nominal time, and
it was thought uncommony prompt when Oxford
showed IN their boat from the London Rowing Club"
house at /, and came padding down to the four
steamers moored fast to anchored barges just above
the Aqueduct at Putney. We had to lock at them
as best we might across the Umpres steamer, which
LII %,a harth nd
sundry celebrities notably Mr.. Chitty, the Umpire,
now as for many years an indispensable figure in
the race, Mr.. GulstOn, Mr.. Chambers. two oars OF
great distinction, and the Prince of Wales. The
Prince Of late years has taken to showing himself at
these races, the spectacle being worth even
Princes seeing, and its merit being enhanced in the
general eye by having the Prince make part OF it.
1t was pleasing to see rowing for once take prece-
dence of royalty. The foremost and best place in
the steamer was reserved for Mr. Chtty; the second
best for the Prince. friend at my side remarked
to me after the race that the Prince had paid little
attention to the boats and much to the crowds
through which he had passed, and who on their part
seem to have given him frequent occasion to raise
his hat. And pray why in these days of Democracy
should not the crowned head be uncovered to
the mObf
1t was not day to enjoy race, had there been
ing from nearly northeast, and cold gray sy seem
particularly disagreeable when you have to face
them on the deck of a steamer going twelve knots
or thereabouts Oxford sat muiled in white Jerseys
waiting more or less patiently the coming OF their
tardy opponents. Cambridge were 10 minutes be-
hind and won no friends by their padding There
is something in the way an oar is pulled lightly
through the water almost as suggestive OF power or
the want of il. as when a mans whole strength Is
put into it, Now what Oxford had shown was
power and what Cambridge showed was the want
of it. Those of US who saw the two crews for the
first time were quick to make up their minds that
the predictions were right and that the race was to
be too soft to be interesting.
Which presently proved tIue-so true that
there Is very little to say about the
actual rowing of it. 1t was O performance
devoid of excitement, and fruitful of but one single
incident So much luck as there was appeared to be
on the side of Cambridge who won the toss for
position and took as usual the Fulham shore. Both
crews kept their wraps on till the last moment
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