The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-05
INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY ROWING
HBADoUARTERs ScHUYLKILL NAVY,
PARAMOUNT PARK,
pufr mr. pufl Nae n 1874


PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 81, 1878 J
To rHE EDITOR oP The HERALD
Your favor OF yesterday is at hand. In il you ask
me what rowing clubs of Europe had visited with
their taking part in the Centennial Regatta
what encouragement they gave me that they would
participate and what is being taken to insure
their comfort while here
In reply would say that had interviews with the
heading members OF the London Rowing Club, the
Thames Rowing Club the Leander Rowing Club, the
Hex Rowing Club, the Ino Rowing Club, the
Kingston Rowing Club, the West London Rowing Climb,
the North London Rowing Club, at London, and also
held meeting in the American Exchange Rooms,
which attended by about twenty gentlemen OF the
London rowing clubs, in which stated what pro-
pressed to be done and extended them hearty though
informal invitation to take part in the regatta also
stated that did not expect for time but
met them that early day for the purpose Of calling their
attention to it Colonel John w. Forney present.
and made OF his characteristic and happy
speeches At this meeting / received assurances
from many Of the gentlemen that they would be
at the regatta as participants. also had pleasant
and cordial interview with Professor j. R. Leslie the
Dublin University Boat Club. 1t being the long vaca
tion was unable to the members of Cambridge
and Oxford University clubs; but had warm and
hearty letters OF sympathy from Arthur Nicholson,
ESQ.,, President OF the Oxford Cldb and Herbert E,
Rhodes, Esq, President of the Cambridge Club, both
of these gentlemen being out of the country at tho
time and unable to be present at meeting In Lon
DON l also met r. Geslng, OF Paris who assured me
he would be present with crew If possible If not he
would row single himself
While the official invitations have not been sent
out yet owing to the fact that they 60 out under the
authority Of the Centennial Commission and through
the commissions of the various foreign governments
we have that there Will be a goodly
representation of rowing men from England Ireland
aud France. / may say here that the Invitations
VIII be forwarded next week. and that 1t is
tempated TO send out representative in
spring to advise and assist the rowing clubs how TO
reach Philadelphia When they reach here they will be
taken charge Of by a proper committee, which will
have arrangements made for housing their boats and
properly locating the gentlemen in homes Many of our
best citizens will throw open their houses and enter
tain the crews as their guests while here
You ask me what inducements are held out to insure
their Attendance scarcely understand this question
Ii you mean financially, there are none. We ask
these gentlemen and all others to come to Phila.
delphia and row on the Schuylkil at the time of the
Centennial Exhibition and thus have a grand meeting
of the amateur rowing men OF the world that they may
know each other better and help on the good work by
stimulating each other in the they ali love There
are 'axes 20 grind" in this regatta by any one
There is no money TO be made by any person. The men,
bers Of the SchuyK Navy, as Il Is their fortune TO be
located in the Centennial city have gladly undertaken
the management Of the regatta, and are contributing
freely Of their make all visitors comfort
able and home The leading citizens Of Philadelphia
also interested IN it. Not one cent will be asked
from any hotel 1t is intended to be regatta among
honorary and executive, will be completed week.
composed of our leading citizens with Governor Hart
ranft chairman and representative men from the
various rowing associations throughout the country
North, South, East and West, well from England
and Ireland thus making what il is intended II shall
bean international regatta
You ask me why the have been put of until
the latter part OF August After consultation with
friends who contemplate coming from England,
found that this would be the best time. Gentlemen
business and the professions in Great Britain begin
their holidays about the LIST Of August The unversi
ties have their long vacation at this time, and the
undergraduates can better come then than earlier.
They want TO be here and get acclmated as well as
train for time before rowing The sole object in
putting on TIL the latter end OF August is that
visitors from abroad shall have fair and equal show
ing the with all the others from
try.
very deep interest Is felt in this regatta in Europe
and especially in Great Britain, and trust every
ing organization in country will into 1t
with spirit regatta given by them under the
ton OF the Centennial Commission
Thanking you for your encouragement and the hearty
cooperation thus tar given and still further promised
/ am, truly yours, JAMES NJ FERGUSON,
NaVv