The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-09
THE CANTABS WIN.
A Magnificent Contest on the
Thames Yesterday.
THE MILLION IN BLUE.
Graphic Sketch of the Thronged
Race Course.
ARE YOU READY 9---GO ~
Cambridge Takes the Lead
and Keeps 1t.
GOOD AND BAD STEERING.
Points in the Struggle from Put
ney to Mortlake.
T I M E: 2OM. los.
GOOD AND BAD STEERING.
Points in the Struggle from Put
ney to Mortlake.
T I M E: 2OM. los.

LONDON, April s, 1876.
The annual oxford and Cambridge boat race was
rowed to-day upon the Thames, from Putney 70
Aortake, in the presence OF an immense multitude,
which fur outstripped In numbers the spectators OF
any previous year.
THE BLUE FEVER.
Never did the "blue fever, claim more victims,
and it happens that now, as in other years, the
ladies' select their charming costumes OF dark or
light blue, the men buy their cravats, the Cockney
pins on his huge rosette, the cabman adorns his
whip as eagerly as ever. Blue is everywhere-n
the bonnet OF the duchess in the cars OF the
mongcr's donkey. In fact, the only place where
blue Is not is in the mental temperament Of all con-
cerned. M
BRIGHT AND AUsPICIoUs WEATHER.
The morning sun shone brilliantly over the
river, and coudless sky, such is rarely seen in
London at this time OF the year. welcomed the enor-
nous crowds who thronged the various routes from
London. During the whole morning and afternoon
this magnificent weather continued, and the light
blue Of the sky was interpreted by the Cantabs and
their friends happy omen OF success. The
weather reminded old racing men Of that bright day
In August, 1852 when our own Harvard met the OK
ford men upon the same course.
THE CROWDS.
The railway stations ut Barnes and Putney eject
masses Of humanity the roads ring with the chatter
Of wheels, the lordly drag looms huge over the
apple woman's handcart, while the river itself Is
alive with swarming craft, special steamers tiny
private steam launches gigs, wineries, Shells punts
and every imaginable floating thing. Trains, car
rages boats all go in one direction and nothing
thought OF or talked of by those who go in them
but the thirty-third University boat race.
PUTNEY,
the training home ofgenerations OF "varsityn men,
thronged with amphibous-ooking persons In nan-
nels Its ancient bridge rendered impossible by an
excited throng either endeavoring to cross over or
obstnately determined upon hating in mid stream
to see the start. Here, too, Is the "Fox and
Hounds" surmounted by a large dark hlne Dag In
scribed with the sacred letters
o. U. b. c.
1t Is the headquarters OF the Oxford crew. See
those fresh healthy faces at the windows belong to
the forms which will soon be straining over the
waters in the maddening contest We gaze upon
them with rcverental awe, enhanced by the ap-
pearance at the inn door OF an enormous Inspector
OF Police placed there Cerberus-like to guard the
sacred precincts. For those eight gentlemen
within must not even be spoken to or shaken by
the hand until the great business Is settled.
THE CAMBRIDGE QUARTERS
Having seen the Oxonans we proceed further
down the High street OF the little suburb and
tain that one OF those houses in the row called
"Cedars Terrace is the spot honored by the pres
ence OF the light blues. The "Star and Garter" was
formerly the headquarters Of the Cambridge crew.
and still clings TO its traditions, the barmaids who
serve the transient crowd being bravely decked out
IN the colors OF the former patrons OF the house.
THE TowPArH.
Passing on we gain the towpath and arrive at the
lighthouses or the London Rowing Club and the
ford and In the latter that OF Cambridge, both
carefully watched by vigant myrmidons. On our
right Is small common, which has been annexed by
the proprletors OF merry-go-rounds, weighing ma
chimes and other instruments OF torture.
UP THE RIVER.
There now lies before us an unbrokcn stretch OF
towpath up TO Hammersmith Bridge. Needless to
nav. It Is crowded, and locomotion is difficult. On
this bank OF the river he right the historic points
which mark the course are the Soap Works, the
Round House. Barnes Terrace and the ship Inn. On
The other side are Craven Cottage, the Crab Tree,
phiswick Eyot All these points are seized upon by
,housands Of both sexes, the men the towpath
and the fair sex accommodated with seats In the
eardens OF the houses along the river side
HAxMERsMITH BRIDGE.
Hammersmith Suspension Bridge, which was wont
10 be the vantage ground OF thousands Of Londoners
and of small boys who clambered up the chains TIL
the whole structure looked alive during former Uni
versty races remains closed to-day, by order
Of the police, from noon TIL halfpast two or until
the contest on the water has been decided. The
authorities were afraid 1t would give way Il the
usual throng was allowed upon 1t.
BIrFIS's BOAT YARD
the headquarters OF the Atalanta crew, Is hard BY
the bridge, and from this point to Barnes Bridge
both banks OF the river are packed with spectators
Aristocratic Chiswick presents long line Of car
riages three deep. Further down on the Middlese,
side Is the low-ying tract Of ground known a. the
osIer Beds, almost always overnowcd and marshy
Yet even here may be found enthusiastic persons 4
whom mud and sush nothing as compared will
the advantages Of their position.
BARxEs' TERRACE
Is, As usual, respondent with blue q both ahadss