New-York tribune., 1876-07-01


BRIDGES.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBrvE.l
SpRINGFIriD, Mass. June 30.--It is always pleasant
to dwell for a moment the prolitninaries 20 good
boat race. Charles Lamb recalls his authorizations
minutes before the curtain rose on hs boysh visits
to the thaa.er with as much pleasure the play it
self and some of the most beautiful spcotace5 the
regatta habitue viii recall have been the Summer
day half an hour before the various memorable
races whes the crews were getting into the water.
The crowd, and even the trees aud tho air
itself, seemed full Of tho rush and qniver OF
the coming contest. The clouds cleared at
noon to-day, leaving q splendid afternoon for
tho race At 3le all hands aboard
the River Belle, the fat-bo!tomed steamer which
was to follow the race. The Vision, the little
steamer Of the famous blind builder Of whose iicct-
ness wonderful things had becntold, was at the next
wharf waiting for the referee and the champion
hags. Owing to the economical arrangements Oi the
Springfield Club, by which every conner was charged
the liberal price of } for trip On the RIVER Boiie,
the crowd was comfortably light on that respectable
tub; but the lest So worth which came aboard. in
the shape of corpulcnt citizen, proved the straw on
the ca,ncrs back and she went aground. The crew,
however, heaycd her off with boat hook, and we
started for the head OF the course all hands III
comfortable and Good-naturcd state OF mud ana
ready to be amused at anything.
Commodore Doherty's two daughters, girls in
their teens, first shot by in coube-sculi shell,
pulling igstclass stroke, pulling in the back every
time and well together. They got the round OF ap-
plqusc they deserved rom the boys on the boat and
also from an intelligent and discerning, If not
wealthy crowd of a hundred or so ncighbors who
had "a bcrcd ON the wharf TO see the steamer Oh.
Next the Harvard boat went M the river IN tow OF
a skif the crew taking it easily in Carriages Tho
Vision SKINNED b.; ut an astonishing rate aAd az
We followed small crowds were passed On each
wharf On the covered bridge every window was
fun Of heads, and the railroad bridge,
which is very high non framework on
solid piers hundreds wcrc suspended IL
air on imporcepbe foOtings of light iron wire, Civ
ing theIn as they hung against the sky Win arms
and legs outstretched the appearance OF black m
sects Three or four enterTri,ing Amherst men had
climbed astrilc the bridge and hung in apparent
renl bat real comfort over the food. 4 local six IN
blue caps came out from hoa; By the bridge and
caused rustic Of excitement among the Yale SYM
Satizcrs ill they found it had two oars too few for
their crew. Up here the spectators on the bank
vele few in number, and for the most part wore
white dresses aud blue ribbons. Everything MAS
orict, and the whole affair suggested a SUNDAY
school picnic.
We were now NJ the start which was marked by
the two starting boats anchored 10 kegs The -iart
was situated OF the town brook. insi above lamp
den Pi', a carter OF mile or lees below lo'|s
boAt-house, and almost exactly a mile above tie
covered bridge. The river is ttee-egi,hs Of an,lc
vide. and does not narrow porcepthly until nils
from tie finish. The course spreads srai ht2way
unoer tho two BRIDGES for two and half mi Sc When
OF Harvlrds quarters, the river makes bend to
DE west, wisnce the course is nearly straight
,rils and half to TIE finish. The River y lie
swung rousd two or three times, giving an OPP
por,uy to observe these points, and also gratifying
le pastoral taste with SIGHT Of the
Lazy mountains and the comfortable fields
along the} river. Bat il past the time
of starting and every body was waiting the ineyta-
bic wait Of regatIas, without knowing what IL
waited for The boating men began TO bc impatient.
It was oon O'Clock. and the lla.yards were still
all up on the West Springfield side standing about
their boat rubbing her siell with oiled cloths,
technically putting a bottom" on their cight. Yale
up above WIS also waiting foT the order 10 enbarH
There was talk back and forth rom both crews as
we passed. and the enthusiasm began to bJli. Inc
hour was magnificent for the race, the water all
glass and simmer, with just breeze enough to fan
without disturbing The surface.
Now they are out, the llaryards, according to Gus
tom iinlnemoral, taking " breather" dngonaliy
lr the river to loosen their joints and got the mus
clas in motion for the race. IL was grand show.
They were undoubtedly the pre;ier crew of the two
and the long boat with the little ooyswain crouching
in the stern dashed along to the springmg light
stroke calamity. Tic Harvard men loosed boast
ful tongue. but not for long Yale came out in a
cool aud bdsiness-likc manner and in moment the
two are at the line and held from the startDg-boats
STORY OF THE RACE.