The New York herald., 1876-01-21
INTERNATIONAL AOUATICS.

CAMBRIDGE-EFFoRTs TO OBTAIN ENGLISH
OPINION ON THE AMERICAN COLLEGIATE
cHALLENGE-FIGsT OBJECTIONS OF THE
BRITISH sTUDENTs-FINAL HOPES OF A
MEETING IN AMERICA.
LONDON, Jan. g. 1876.
On Now Years Day visited tho Universities OF OK
ford and Cambridge with view to the feel
ings and opinions OF their members reference TO the
challenge sent by the American Collegiate Association
10 each OF them to compete in the Centennial Regatta
CAMBRIDGE.
On arriving in Cam bridge learned that the several
colleges were almost deserted; that excepting few
'degrce men" the whole OF tho students away
at their homes, participating in the festivities and
enoyments of the season. and that among the small
number of bookworms, to whom mathematical dis
tnction magnet OF greater power Of attraction
than the Christmas revcls, scarcely ''boatng man"
was to bc met with. On inquiring at Trinity College
found that tho Cambridge Captain, Mr.. W. B. Close.
was his pleasant homo in the Maritime Alps whittier
the copy OF the invitation had been forwarded and the
porter informed mo that the only rowing men in town
a few members OF the college boat clubs l
pressed n wish 10 speak to these gentlemen, and
accordingly admitted by the civil runctionary within
tho historic precincts of tho grand old structure.
Crossing the front quadrangle and passing under of
the hne Gothic archways which SO numerous in
Il a
comfortably furnished apartment in which two
young undergraduates, apparently deeply immersed in
the consideration of some intricate problem closer
inspection, however, relieved me from any cmbarrass
ment which might have felt in intrudng upon their
academic quetudc, for perceived that their energies
were only concentrated upon friendly game at chess
On explaining my mission Twas cordially received, and
discussing the question Of
POSSIBILITY PROBABILITY
OF tho transatlantic invitation being favoraby re-
spondedt to. Ny hosts spoke enthusiastically of the
challenge and OF the anxiety felt by many OF their fe
low residents TO contest tho supremacy of the with
their American friends upon the latters own ground
They said that the time fixed for tho con-
test well chosen, but that din
Guilty would probably be experienced in collecting
a really representative crew who would agree to tho
conditions set forth In the letter OF invitation neyor
thclcss. special committee meeting would DO called
on tho first day OF tho reassembng of tho students.
aud IL to be hoped that the decision then arrived
at would make the desired contamination n certainty.
THE MAIN OBSTACLE,
according to current opinion here lies in meeting the
proposal that the race is TO be rowcd without cox
swaihs. This difficulty. however may possibly be
tidcd over especially the course bo straight one
and understand that lattery in the between
the various colleges the of four cared coxswancss
|. boats has been introduced The request TO Mr. Tom
Hughes TO act umpire has given great satisfaction
Although nothing definite be known until after the
committee meeting which will be held in about three
weeks, yet TO judge from the general opinion OF the
colegans with whom had the opportunity to con-
verse, may reasonably fnot confidently be expected,
that the kindly and generous terms in which the chal
enge is couched will have the desired effect
IN TRINITY AND THE OTHER COLLEGES.
After interviewing two or three more OF the "row
ing" students still remaining in Trinity College, who
merely echoed the sentiments Of the first two visited
in like manner S. Johns. Christ,s Emanuel, Sidney
and Jesus colleges in all Of which the ideas pre-
vailed At the last named place the only gentleman to
be discovered was
ono OF the Fellows, who, as | ascertaincd fran the
porter, had in his younger days taken leading part IN
caught the last echo of growl Of dspcasure which
had escaped from the scholarly lips on
ous retirement and with an air OF i'm
patience the man OF learning confronted the special
half angry tone demanded the why he thus
interrupted, which | explained briefly and politely
As the object OF the interview dawned upon his scho
astc mind the sudious features relaxed and the ex-
preston OF annoyance gave place to pleasant smile
He displayed kindly Interest in the matter and
seemed disposed to steal few moments from his be-
loved books Probably his memory had wandered
back to the days IN which he himself had achieved
reputation upon the poetic waters OF tho Cam:
prompted him TO deeds worthy OF emulation by
his younger brethren days which had developed the
vigor and health which support him in the able
discharge OF his high duties. His emphatic opinion
was that the
would be extremely likely to close with the challenge
"If they like to spend their money shall not OBJ
ject"
AT oxpoRD-orISIoSs OF LrrKRArL
II was now time TO proceed TO the ancient, but
OF eighty miles brought to Oxford the colleges
OF which found even more empty than tnosc Of tho
Cantabs. Having inquired my way 10 st. Johns
found that Mr. Stayncr, tho captain Of the oxford
eight, was in Bath. telegram however,
elected from him thrt although OF un-
able TO express any decided opinion, he should
''srongly advise the acceptance Of the invitation"
Mr. Stayner has displayed much anxiety latery in his
endeavors bring about an acceptation OF tho cha
lenge. and his voice will, undoubtedly have great
weight the reasscmbllng Of his colleagues although
as far as can DO gathered at present. oxford is
thusiastic as Cambridge in favor OF the proposal.
WILLIAM.
After fruess visit 10 several OF the colleges came
Il D~.~
Oxford at the time OF the visit OF the Haryards
this country in 1862 He delighted with the idea OF
the rival crews meeting once more, and American
SOIL and had little doubt that at the ensuing meeting
OF the captains Of the different Oxonian College Boat
clubs unanimous and hearty Affirmative response
would be conveyed to tho American intercollegiate
Association"