Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-28

Although this country IL well-informed
about the doings OF the Oxford-Cam-
bridge races comparatively little is known
about the Henley regatta, which Is the
greatest annual rowing event the world
over The interest Of TIE British people
In the Henley races. is more acute than
IN the university contests, for the reason
that I'm the former, the contestants re-
present a wider circle II Is the ambi-
ton OF every rowing club in the kingdom
to have a crew in the Henley races, and
the clubs fortunate to possess capable
men have vast mutitudes Of friends who
shout and celebrate for their respective
favortes.
The Henley regatta, is quite an ancient
affair. having been established In 1893,
and being governed by a board Of stew
ards. made up of prominent men. It's
first president was the Right Hon. Lord
Camoys. and the mayor OF Henley Is al
ways on the board of stewards.
SOME CURIOUS RULES.
The rules governing the contest would
never stand I'm n democratic country Ike
this. Keen discrimination IS made be-
tween the classes and the masses. all
in favor of the former. In the laws OF
the association considerable attention
has been given 10 definition or an
amateur The purpose OF these laws Is
simply to shut off from participation In
| the contests any one vino is not n gentle
man in the society meaning OF the word.
no matter what his ability as a purely
amateur oarsman may be.
| In the classification of inelIgibles Is the
| following:
No one who has ever been employed
IN or about boats. or in manual labor for
money or wages"
A more emphatic dig at the people Is in
| the following:
NO one who has been by trade or en-
ployment for wages. a mechanic. artisan.
| or Iaborer. or engaged in any mental
duty."
This autocrstic ruling disbars a skilled
mechanic, but admits 4 cheap clerk.
THE HENLY COURSE.
All the races are over the regular Hen
| ley course of one mile and so yards. or
not quite a mile and a third. The course
is now almost straight away allowing
contestants to keep In the middle of the
stream where the tides of the Thames
run evenly. and where a coxswain skilled
| in the knowledge OF the eddies and cur
rents OF the river would have small adj
vantage over stranger. There is just
one slight turn TO the left from the start
ing point at the Island 10 the finish AT the
upper end Of Phyllis Court, but this Is a
small matter.
BARE ARMS BARRED.
There are many queer rules governing
the races one Of them being OF the old
maid type. II reads In this way:
Every competitor must wear complete
clothing from the shoulder TO the knee,
including a sleeved Jersey"
1t viii be something of a surprise to the
Cornell boys TO discover that the bare
arms OF a man are an offence 10 the Eng
llsh public.
The great race OF the Henley regatta II
the Grand Challenge Cup for eight oars.
IL IS open 90 all amateur crews. members
OF any university or public school, and
officers Of the English army and navy.
The entElnce-fee j. Is Gs. About the b Z
time ever made in the race was in 1886.
when the Trinity Hail crew, Of Cam
bridge won in 6:53 Il minutes.
The Stewards Challenge Cup for four
cared crews Is next in importance. and
the conditions are the same except that
the entrance fee Is y shilings less. In 1856
the Thames Rowing Clubs crew cap
tured the cup, making a record in 1883
minutes.
The Ladies' Challenge Plate for eight
oars IS open 10 college crews In the
United Kingdom only. SO the Cornell
boys will not be able 20 try for this prize
The same conditions govern the Visitors
Challenge Cup for four oars.
The Thames Challenge Cup for eight