The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-10-02

1t is many years since rowing contest in
this country has attracted the attention that
the contest near Montreal to-day between
Courtney and Hanlan has drawn to itself.
And this almost universal interest in the
struggle is entirely natural when tho cir
cumstances Of the match are considered.
In the first place, the contestants are IN
ever produced, and in the next it
is for the championship of the country.
In their peculiar line their names are
not only national but International Since
they have become known to the public
we have never heard of either of them
except rs a victor, save in single instance,
when Courtney lost at Silver Lake, and
then, according to his own statement, he
was not in a condition to row. Hanan's
conquests at the oar are almost innumer-
able. Not to 60 further back than the
present season, he has seen a long line
Of famous scullers 60 down before
him, many of them the fastest this
country ever knew. Courtney's pro-
fessional career is comparatively brief
He was an amateur until last year, and his
principal achievements thus far have been
the defeat of Riley and ''Frenchy" john
son. These arc the only professionals of
prominence whom he has met. Hanlan has
and Wallace Ross, Luther and Morris, Bray
ley, of st. John Coulter and Kennedy, Ten
Eyck and Elliot. But, notwithstan ding
these victories, the opinion is general that if
Courtney is in good condition he will be
the winner in the battle of to-day.
The reasons for this confidence in Court
ney seem to have pretty good foundation.
Although he has met only two of the men
who have been defeated by Hanlan, the
remaining ten, we'll known as they
are, have not thus far shown them
selves to be more than good second
rate men. No one of them would have the
least chance over any long distance against
a competitor like Trickett, CT Australia, or
Higgins, the champion of England. Again,
the confidence that is felt in Courtney is
inspired by the fact that in every race
he has rowed he hos not only won,
but won with such ease and shown
throughout the contest such abundant
reserve power that no one could say with
certainty what he could do. Hanlnn's
fastest public time was that made at the
Centennial 9s. Courtney cut this
down at Saratoga to 20m., 14s., making
the fastest time on record. In point of
size Courtney has Hanlan at disadvan-
tage. The latter is almost little man, be-
ing only five feet eight and weighing 1852
pounds. Courtney is six feet and half an
inch, and, trained, weighs 172 pounds.
His strength is very great, his "stay"
immense and his judgment excellent. If
they pull the same number of strokes
as they do very nearly ourtneys four
inches more of stroke inboard must be q
good foot at the blade. and in the one
thousand strokes or more of the five miles
of the course the difference ought to help
him materially. But still the slightest
thing may turn the scale either way hid
den eddy, foolish forcing of the pace
in the beginning, or bodily all
ment Our dispatches this morning
present the situation at the course up to
the latest moment last night. Both men
are reported to be in good condition, and
the prospect Of favorable water is excel
lent. The result of the contest will be
awaited with iaterest, as it will in all prob
ability decide who is the best oarsman, not
only in America, but perhaps in the world.