The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-18
| BLACKBOARD RACE.
Nothing to Brag of in This
Years Struggle.
CHOOSING A STANDPOINT.
How the Boats Came Along
at Last
HINTS TO AMERICAN BOATMEN.

LONDON, March rs, 1875.
London, q day or two before the University
race, was looking very blue. Blue Is such an IN
common color on the earth that IL catches the eye
more than red or yellow and mas q pleasantly
soothing effect on the feelings. was inclined TO
believe that the whole stock OF blue, ordinarily
appropriated TO celestial USE had been bought up
by SPECTATORS several days previous TO the race,
for there no bit OF azure sky anywhere visible
for love or money, and except upon the SUPPOSE
tion that the heavens had either lallen or been
sold 10 1ll the extraordinary demand on the part
OF the hackers or Cambridge there was no under
standing so persistent veil OF clouds The river
and every pond and puddle throughout the coun-
try were IN like manner stripped OF their dark
blue on oxiord's behalf, and air and water pre-
sented q strictly neutral aspect OF wnittsh gray.
In justice the speculators, however. 1t must be
admitted that they made pretty and tasteful use
oil their abundant material. The silk MERGERS and
haDerdashers were not the only ones 10 show
their Ingenuity Tor all the chinaware In the
crockery shops was blue; there were blue
cigarettes in topacconists' windows; blue land
scapes commanded q premium at the picture
dealers; an egntoared crew in blue gingerbread
was bending to It's blue peppermint oars IN a
pastry COOKS showcase; blue boots and slippers
were the most fashionable footgear; blue gloves;
blue Jewelry; yes, and the photographs OF the
actresses az the stationers' were all painted in
blue satin dresses, or. there were no dresses,
then win blue eyes.
THE FAvoRTTK COLOR
Light blue was the Iavorite color this year. and
the TACT was accounted Tor with various ingenuity.
In the case or the upper classes IL was because
ngnt blue was more becoming to the ladies, while
the tag-rag and DoO-tan were anirmed 10 be par
tial 10 IL being the badge o. the weaker party;
or It should be observed that the event OF the
hnf0 A
look place. Indeed thus Is invariably the case in
Tuch matters, insomuch that II seems hardly
worth while TO row four miles merely Tor the sake
proving the prophets right. Nay, had been
personally concerned on either SIDE, should have
felt pleasure oil victory diminish the anguish
ofdeieat intensified as the case might be, Dy KNOW
Ing al about II before starting.
As regards the preponderance OF one parry CT
the other, however, VIII not attempt meta
physically 10 explain II. What Is more 10 the pur.
pose ID that not soul but either for oxford
or Tor Cambridge. England was more oxforcian
and CamDridgIan than she was liberal and con-
servatlye, aud there was more enthusiasm ex-
nioiIed In twenty inmates along the Thames
banks from Putney 10 Mortlake than in the
houses OF Parliament during the lifetime
Or half . dozen Ministers. Why should not
political questions be settled by boat-racingS
Inc attention OF the country would be secured
sue opposing interests WOuld De decided upon
thoroughly tangible and ineligible grounds, ana
the largest ana most intricate bill would te neces-
sarlly disposed OF inside or half an hour. rne
Marquis OF DIsrael and Mr.. Harrington would or
course, mold the rudder-.ines or their respe tive
cram, and would be perfectly at liberty 10 take
sucn advantage OF the current as their knowledge
and skill might enable them 70 do. and to give
their adversary their back WASH 30 soon as tney
should be able to Jorge ahead Of him.
CABINET coAxswANs..
THIS proposition, OF course, ought not TO be
adopted without some further discussion or ia
merits Meanwhile II Is refreshing 10 torn nom
The House 10 the river. Inc kind OF partisansnip
Of which the rival crews are the nucleus Is very
pleasant 10 see ana enjoyable 70 share. and makes
as cynical people, WHO are accustomed 70 regret
that the world does not the way 70 lts best 40
vantage so clearly a. We 90, think or our race
somewhat more kindly ana hopefully Women are
almost entirely answeraDle for THIS agreeable state
Of things; they appear IN sucn matters precisely
10 their most ATTRACTIVE and creditable light
Does anybody suppose that tue race would be 50
popular, 30 wholesome, 80 fashionable, 80 any.
thing that Is nice. n there were no
ladies 10 take Il up IN their de-
liahtiul. enthusiastic, emotional irrational
chlvalric, selfish, cunning simple generous way
To bet gloves and wear the colors; 70 ruin lneir
lovely hats aud charming dresses In the cause
and vow they don't mind n; TO take up ali the
best places and opera glasses; 70 partake or the
cold coslatons TO scream, 10 chatter, to laugh to
1usn with excitement and pale with apprenen-
Sion 10 applaud the winners and condoIe Win the
iosers--an tnis belongs 10 woman she i made
Tor H. In other words, she Ia Ire and soul OF
toe whole business, ana had u not been Tor her
part IN lne pulling do not believe that the OK.
Iord and Cambridge regatta would have outllved
ing care, however, it's to-day welI-grown baos
OF some SIX snd forty springs. and may survive a.
many centuries, 50 lar as present appearances 20;
tnat IL, provided womanKind exists so long, and
We DO not wake up some morning ana and our
selves al men.
THs PROGRESS or MECHANISM.
There IL another danger In the way or our prom
sing infant-a rock ahead. wnich ar. Grey nan
omitted TO mention, aud when. very probably,
may Ne considered BY toe majority o. people A. no
Danger 81 al, out very promising aud encoarsg-
lng circumstance. Wnetber promising or tue
contrary il Il strictly In accordance with toe ten
aency o. the aEe, AMI may, therefore, be cond.
Gently counted on one war or the other. Il IL
breezy tnis-tnat tie boats are getting 70 pro-
PEELED less and less BY arms and iegs % lusty
young men, and more and more o. mechanical
contrlvances OF ingenious boat buuders OF
course. tae origin OF tnls tendency can be traced
very Dack spoon oars are only one OF It's later
Developments aud outnggers do not 20 very far
bacg. but sliding seats. which came IN four or
I'VE years ago, we're decided advance upon any.
thing that mad been imagined before; ana this
rear improvements nave been pushed stll lur-
tner, and no one can ten what invention may not
be ooKed Tor next Tue speculative mind cannot
well avoid asking Itself where this scientific bust
ness 10 u land us. Young men, BY and oy. will
be elected 70 toe crews, not for broad backs and
SOUND muscles, but Tor broad lOreheads al q sound
COMPREHENSION Of mechanical suDteues. Their
training Diet wall oonslst OF diagrams and caisuIa.