The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-22
THE ENGLISH OARSMEN.

1E ENGLlof1 OARSM EN-.
ExERTIoSs TO SECURE THE ATTENDANCE or 4
REPRESENTATIVE ENGLISH COLLEGE CREW
THE EFFORT COMPLETE FAILUEE-GEN-
ERAL REVIEW OF THE NEoorIArIoNs-HAs
THERE BEEN TRrrIISG?-wHAr THE ENGLISH
oARsMEN SAID IN EXCUSE
LONDON May II, ls7a
There is no longer any reasonable hope that mcse
ing between the best college oarsmen OF England and
America be secured Nothing short Of regret In.
spires me to say that IL such wholesome contest 70
ever to take place must DO rowed English water All
at once Is discovered that tho of tho greatest
commercial the world d.sincned to travel
abroad; that university rowing has ceased to become
interesting or attractive IL is vain 10 say that
500 600 people witnessed the last annual boat race
that English travellers climbing tho Alps navt
eating the urthermost OF tho earth The answer
is. "witn regard to rowing the English people are
biasG."
G coSsTAScy!
am very sorry that this not explained sooner
because my own observations had led me to believe
that such feelings with regard to all sports especially
rowing, did not exist. On tho contrary. was undes
the impression that nowhere the face Of the
earth the benefits and the interest outofdoos
sports clearly recognized or more kecnly felt AZ
! stood on the banks OF tho Isis on cold, March
afternoon and saw twelve fteen eightoared boats
manned for the Torpid races, 1t did not occur to
that the students OF oxford biast with regard TO
rowing. Whom, in company with wild and noisy
crowd, followed tho University at Cambridge
rp THE
to Charon's ferry and beyond did recognize the
fact that rowing had ceased to lind any favor In ths
English heart; but SUCH told, the TACT to-day.
can only regret that have not been possessed with
the divine faculty OF reading mems hearts rather than
forming my humble opinion from their words and 90
tons fzG
BE FAIR nut NOT FOOLISH
II the rowing men OF Cambridge AMI Oxford had NOT
repeatedly expressed themselves earnestly DESTROYS
OF going this season to America, should time and con-
dtous suit, there would to-day DO possible peg
upon which TO hang my mysterious regrets and stupidity
oil insight The young men or the two English univer
sites have been unquaiedly courteous 10 all who
have visited them or talked with them upon The sub
Ject OF international race between tho university
OF England and America.
There has been always marked appearance OF sin.
ceriy. which has led to the gradual formation OF be-
lief that Oxford desired At least to meet Harvard as che
met her In 1869. When. therefore, IN the face OF
during the past few days grave doubts arise
whether ci,her university seriously thought Tor
moment Of sending or trying 10 send representative
crew 10 Philadelphia or Saratoga. for one, having
met and talked with the most prominent rowing
both institutions, can hardly doubt their sincerity
am inclined to accept II as strange interference or
Providence, freak Of the human mind past lntsnk
out IN ihis mad world IL Is very hard for me TO be
convinced that from first TO last there has been
A 70
with the American college oarsmen ! can only state
the acts, and let others judge. When last winter
clearly written and distinct invitation embodied In the
form "a courteous challenge, TO visit America
warded TO the two universities oil England confess
that expected direct yes answer, possibly with
certain conditions The answer long delay cd il IL true
came. but IN rather ambiguous way Cambridge said
that she would be glad TO co. but that July bad
time OF the year. oxford sand no loss but confessed
that midsummer seemed inopportune This iniornis.
ton was sooner cabled TO tho HERALD than an
answer from America camo agreeing TO NIX any tms
that suited England. Then began to be heard
Regarding tho expense the trip. such remarks were
calculated 70 surprise US, confess coming as they
mud kepta stud OF horses In their college tnwnA
Strange say, these talked most Of the expense
1t Is not surprising that Englishmen with whom
talked became sceptical and pronounced their country
men insncere But was unsbaken in my belief thai
It only idle talk.
puRruER coR.EspoxDExcE
with their American cousins ouly confirmed tho i'm.
already formed over there and intended TO BE-
cre ated here that Oxford and Cambridge willing
to 20 America. To settle all prclimnarcs tho
ISOLATION met and dcputed ono OF its best known
bcrs, Mr. Frank Recs to visit England, and gave him
iuIl powers to make any honorable condi.
tons IIc smooth all difficulties, to annihilate
all Objectionable conditions Right worthily did he
set himself about it, although tho obstacles were
legion With man u had been season. with another
water; third, distance fourth, expense; a NH,
studies with all an ardent desire to come handicapped
by something
Mr. RES or COLUMBIA,
arrived and mot the rowing OF Cambridge. He
acceded TO all conditions regarding length OF race,
water boats. crews, season OF tho yearaL Ana what
answer He politely awaited what u soems almost
wrong TO tell although 10 is absolute truth
He was answcrcd:-s'W shall try TO scratch
together but 1t must so TO America with the under
standing that It viii not bo representative Of this
university"
IL did not require long for Mr. Recs to say, in SUBJ
stance
s.GgSrLEMEx--Thnt Is the only condition that I, 40
representative OF the Rowing Association Of American
Colleges, accept do not feel authorized TO nr.
range for any against Tor whom the rowing
men of their own university cannot vouch The best
rowing men Of Harvard Yale, Wesleyan, Cornell o.
Columbia could not consent to against any crew.
however superior against which defeat success ID
barren vi honor thank you, gentlemen, but such Z
his speech, but could say that he not right
that he Unfair
UP TO
Thence Mr.. Rccs won't TO oxford Hc was courtccusIy
received by such thoroughly civil gentlemen as Stayner
and EdwardsMoss, but weeks residence there Jailed
the object OF his wishes. Little " any, cnors
appeared to Be- made 10 obtain final settlement ~ tho
question In effect they told Mr. Rccs that they would
nj come TO decision and communicate with him
in London. He left his address, and has waited pa
ticntly for days, and yet receives no word. He has
Lost ALL HOPE
OF international university race and so mas every
body clscs Thinking all the circumstances over now
naturally reflects how very easy u would have
been oxford Cambridge to have said that they
did not want TO 80 10 America this year,
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