New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-07
HENLEY WEEK"
WELCOME BREAK IN THE LONDON
SEASON-THE NARROW COURSE OVER
WHICH CORNELL. WILL ROW.

The Henley races continue for three days, ana
these three days constitute sort OF national hoN
day season throughout England 1t Is not there-
fore solely as one OF the few great sporting events
OF the year that the occasion Is memorable Indeed
with the great mass OF the people the actual re-
gat'a is a minor matter that simply affords the
pretext for unusual social festivities HeAiey
week is spoken OF in England a distinct period
OF the year Just like Derby week" or "Good"ood
week. for which social events are arranged long
months ahead. Happening, as II does. along toward
the end OF the London season. It makes welcome
break in the long, tiresome routine or the SOCIAL ne
in town" Villa parties and houseboat parties
allure thousands from the gayeties OF the city to
the sylvan shores of the upper Thames. When the
opening day OF the races arrives the country TOT
miles around Is brilliant With the gay throngs
hurrying toward Henley. Special trains are run
with amazing frequency from London. The river,
above and below is alive with craft OF every pos
sible description coming both from the metropolis
and from Oxford-way and hurry.ng down to the
densey crowded shores that line the narrow course
Thick clouds Of dust rise heavenward from all the
country roads that for hours are raversed by long
lines OF vehicles. equestrians and pedestrians The
adjacent villages are overrun with men. women ana
children from every section Of the country. the
greater part OF them wearing brilliant blazers.
or showing bright-colored ribbons in such consom-
crate profusion as bewilder the From all
the boats on the river below, and from the roofs
and windows OF all the village houses. float thou
sands OF flags and gay private banners or cluo
signals Along the edges OF the roads and across
the lawns on either side booths where sandwiches.
beer and lemonade sold add their brilliant
drapery 70 the general effect As one approaches
the course on both sides Of the river and from
every direction. long lanes OF hutterng bunting
mark the way.
Arrived near the greensward that down 10
the waters edge. you encounter a dense wall OF
enuipages OF every imaginable kind. from which
the horses have been removed. and which are so
placed that all the occupants can have TIE clearcs
view OF the river All classes OF the population are
there from the haughtiest nobleman to the most
| obtruslve specimens Of AIRY and his Arriet' all
bent upon the days enjoyment Here You see
party OF ladies' and gentlemen lunching on the rooi
OF their aily-ho while veried servants are uncorK-
ing bottles. and carrying big patters up and down
| the ladder suspended above the wheels. There you
| notice a group o, country pumpkins. seated about
their empty hay-wagons and vegetable carts ell
gaged in the same pleasurable occupations ms their
| more distinguished neighbors Forming an I'M
broken fringe along the waters edge from one end
| OF the course to the other are the picturesque
houseboats festooned with flags and steamers OF
| every nationality and color. and on the ROOFS o'
these floating houses merry parties. seeking the
most agreeable diversions. according to the IN
finite variety OF their tastes while waiting for the
| next race TO go by
| THE NOISES OF HENLEY.
| And over the whole wide scene rises mighty
torrent OF sound made up OF the shouts ana iaush-
tor OF the dling throngs. the cries Of the iuheran'
| peders the appeals and objurgations or the iu"cn-
| and beer-counter men and boys. the calls OF the
| programrne vendors. the songs OF the grotesquev
attired burnt-cork minstrels who wander from
pace 10 place collecting the pennies OF the people
who find amusement in their cracked voices u"-
strung banjos and inane concert-naH ditties' 'he
warnings or maledc,ions OF the people In the ooats
in collision on the river the chatter OF dishes the
tha
noises that spread pandemonium's dscord over all
the scene
| Then presently all tho warning noises give place
| 10 one universal shout OF They're coming All
the people on foot rush TO the riverside Those on
| the houseboats coaches and other vehicles STAND
nm and crane their necks toward the river Inc
n,t,e .kirs bearing the inscription Thames Con-
SENATORS hustle back and forth, keeping the course
| clear OF the too adventurous rowooats Ana III an
| instant there come dash!ng into the homsstretch
the struggling crews. AS they pass on TO the nnish
| po,n, a thunder OF cheers rolls out to them from
each side OF the river flags and banners are waved
the men I'm the rowboas stationed along the shore
| M their oars In salute. firearms are discharged
| whistles are blown. and cavalcade OK horseneh
who have kept with the racing crews from
the start rush along the Berkshire bank i9r s
their way through all obstacles. until the nn,sh"as
| fall, a. the winning passes over the me. y
/" a stirring sight to the eye Of the stranger ana
| 4 thrilling moment when his ear too, IS apparel "
| the tremendous volume OF sount ...,., h,. many
The Henley races are always attentel py ma any
| Americans who md the occasion different, IN many
respects from regatta IN the tntel oaares ., az
hs country is generally only me a,ser ,h rrsre
nearest the course that contribute 10 r,e
Of spectators Of our Nationai regatahs ssnd
the Henley no, only all parts OF rns h,
their quota to the crowd 81 ohooKe'Ss o, ua and
numbers also go there from Ireland scotahr any ~
Wales Besides this Their Is away ,ns Wsnex nro
gramme strong representative crews are treIu.ne,s
sent from France and occasomay a'sg ,Sere are
many and other Continental countrles, IL on ne ,en,
more than three crews entered Tor any one ~.
| ,be narrowness 4 the Thames requires that .ns
rae be rowed heats. thus assuring p,v. GA re-
programme All classes OF Br,tish ana'ru UT oar or,
| rha m,tvers,ty crews then have their sole oppor-
| tun,y TO measure blades with the crack crews h''
| all over the United Kingdom
4 cRAMPED AND NARROW COURSE
However interesting to an American may be the
general ASPECT OF the Henley regatta. he Is new
| h, h,nd ~ he disappointed when he sees for
tho fro, time the famous course. Accustomed 20 the
| wide majestic rivers Of this country ne mus inc
Thames an insignificant little stream not more tna'
| three or four times wider than an American canal
Then he falls to wondering how sun stream IAN
| have become famous n boa;-raclne river wnen
| compared with the Hudson. the Harlem tnr pria
ware schuylk New ENGLAND Thames ne re T :, !.
the hes, England affords. ana that ~ MAJ, ne s
toric by more than half-'en'"ry oil annual 'e
rhe critical American expert sl.o finds subject
fci wonder IN w whal with its eisirely recover
and general appearance OF slowness am9ris ssr
ms ms, r,n and back movement and the energetic
slide OF the American oar>men he iinas' IN,
aS thc English and Americans as between tn. nv
ers Of the two countries and that me aurk ne :,
tn British as their manner OF propeliing raSns
boat IS the citizen OF she me dsmericai oppo
sites in rowing jus as the m Sor G III, ds IN s,
ana American Yachting r Sb M tend ' to settle
ana an AK he mater OF snpeOry viii regard
Ell with general Interest IN DOT" countries