Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-06-19
The Royal Henley Regatta nnd
American ORrsm,n.

The Royal Henley Regatta nnd
American Oarsm,n.
London Cor. New York Times.l
The prettisst regatta course 10 Eng.
land is that of Henley, on the Upper
Thames, an hour ride by railway from
London. The regatta week, next to the
Oxford and Cambridge race, is the
aquatic event Of the year. 1t is usually
held in June. This year it will not take
place until July. Tempted by a glimpse
Of Gne weather | won't down to Henley
this week, but found the east wind ram.
pant throughout the valley, and hardly
a boating man in the place. | found an
intelligent waiter, however, at the local
hotel, and, for want of q better man, Tell
to gossiping with him. For want Of a
better man | say, and blush as | set the
words dowr, for this local waiter of the
Lion Is wortber to be immortalized than
Tenuyson's famous waiter at the Cock.
De turned out to be q man Of infinite
knowledge. he had travelled all through
India. He had lived in Spain. He had
exported new potatoes from Bermuda to
New York. He was an officers favorite
servant in the Crimea. and had been
under FIRE during one Of the battles be.
tween the Russians aud the English. He
had been steward to one OF the govern
srs of Jamaica, and yet here he was, a
quiet, u%nsssumiDg. obedient waiter at
the chief hotel in Henley. He told me
that two crews we're expected from
America at the approaching regatta, but
be feared there was some hitch in the
business. 1t was a pity, he said, that
the boating men of England and Amer.
lea did not seem to get on well together;
otker athletes did. He observed that
the riaemen, pedestrians and billiard
players managed to agree in their yari-
Gus competitions, but oarsmen did not.
1" What is the difficulty now?' | asked.
Well. it appears" be SAID. there is
some question whether the Americans
who are expected are amateurs or pro-
fessionals. OF course, this regatta is for
amateur clubs and amateur rowers."
What reason" | asked, lis there to
question the American crews2' II don't
know" he said, and | don't say they are
doubted; but there is some hitch" This
| perceive by nay last file Of American
papers is borne out by the very signifi-
cant way in which Mr.. Charles Towsey,
the local secretary, has drawn the atten.
ton of United States oarsmen to the
fact that 1.-THE Royal Henley regatta is
open only 10 amateurs" II is to be
feared that the misunderstanding which
occurred at Philadelphia during the Cen.
%tennial international races still rankles
in the minds Of some of the British oars.
men; while local jealousy has been put
on the alert by some American probes.
sionsl oarsmen having made inquiries
about the Henley rules. The question
Of what constitutes an amateur 20 doubt
presents some difficulties, but il Is gene
rally, | believe, defined in squstics as
men and clubs who ' race for
money, but only for the h1nor OF owning
or holding cups and other prizes. When
an amateur completes in any game for
money he becomes a professional The
stewards Of English regattAs decide who
are amateurs and who are not, and there
is hardly ever any difficulty in settling
any question Of the kind that may arise.
1t is to be hoped that intending competi-
tors for the prizes at Henley, who pro-
pose to come from America, will leave
no opening for the question Of anna.
teur" or professional to be raised on
this side Of the water. | don't think
Mr.. Towsey's circular for the informa,
ton Of persons residing in the United
States is couehed in The courteous Ian.
guage customary upon International oc.
c%asions. but it is a useful notification, at
all events. aud judging from some knowl-
edge Of the class of men who row at
Henley, l should predict for American
crews a friendly welcome, a pleasant
time, and stiff work"