The Princeton union., 1879-02-19
Experience Of a Young. Man Who
= Knew All About a Boat,

It is told Of that distinguished soldier.
Sir Philip Sidney, that being about to
wash his hands after hard-fought battle,
he had just takeu up the soap and turned
on the warm water, when he perceived a
particularly grimy soldier at his side.
Handing the soap to the soldier. with the
now historic words: "Thy necessity is
yet greater than mine," Sir Philip turn
ed away, and went, unwashed, to his
virtuous couch. Cold and cynical indeed
must be the man who can read this an
ecdote without a thrill of admiration and
sudden mist of tears. is25~.. .a.'..
The experience Of boating party in
our harbor one Sunday early in May de-
serves to be set forth, since it cannot fail
to teach valuable lesson that people
should not pretend to know what they
do not know, unless, of course, they arc
lawyers and are required to give legal
opinions without consulting the authori-
ties. There is young man residing in
this city who, until recently, was in the
habit of spending his Sundays on the
south shore of Staten Island. He is a
rather uno2jectionable young man, but
he has fondness for beng regarded as
an authority on aquatic sports. People
who do not know him very Intimately,
firmly believe that he is a yatchman of
great experience, and even those who
know that he does not own yacht and
who never personally saw him aboard any
vessel except Staten Island ferry boat,
thiak that he is an accomplished and
fearless sailor, and always apply to him
for information as to ocean steamships,
naval vessels, yacht races, rowing match
es and subjects connected with the canal
business.
On the Sunday in question he was sit
ting on the piazza of a Staten Island cot
tage, conversing enthusiastically with
seven young ladies and three young men
of the delights of yachting. Neither Of
the three young men had ever been in a
sailboat of any kind, and the seven young
ladies were, of course, ignorant of nauti-
cal matters. Presently, one Of the ladies
expressed the ardent wish that Mr.. With
ers-the nautical young man--could take
them out for sail, and all the party
echoed the wish aud asserted that a sail
Would be perfectly splendid. Mr.. With
els himself greatly regretted that he had
not thought to hire boat at Clifton, and
added that it really did seem hard to be
kept on shore when there was such a nice
breeze blowing. Just then casual small
boy, who was listening to the conversa-
ton, remarked that there was big cat.
boat near by which could be hired for the
day, and volunteered to seek out the own
er of the boat and hire it. Mr. Withers
began to object that perhaps the ladies
might suffer from sea-sickness, but this
Objection was overruled, and he was as
svred that under the care of so skillful s
sailor everyone would feel perfectly wei
and happy.
It was with many misgivings that thu
nautical young man accompanied the
party to the boat. Luckily, the owner
was at hand and acceded to Mr.. Withers
APPARENTLY careless remark that the sal
might as well be got up while he raj
back to the house for his other coat
Thus, when Mr.. Withers returned HI
found that the boat was ready to be cas-
off, and that all that remained for him K
do was to take the helm and to order thu
boatman to shove her off.
There was nice fresh breeze and tn,
boat ran before it in the direction O