Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-04-24
THE BOATRACE.

boatrace" to an Englishman, whether
he be an inhsbitant OF Australia,
the Cape or the tight little isle," is es-
sentially the event that is pulled of at
the advent OF Springtime between the
flower Of the athletic young under.
graduates OF the two great English
Universities, viz, those Of Oxford and
Cambridge, who once year pull four
miles up the River Thames between its
banks, that are lined with not tens bu.
undreds Of thousands OF spectators.
hese young men spend the major por.
ton OF the winter In training and are
ruled with rod Of iron by the respec
tive adamant trainer who is veritable
lyrant and promptly curtails all lux
urious living on the part of the selected
eight. Pastry, cigars, liquors, together
with other alleged palatable cpicurean
dainties are strictly barred, and the up
holders Of their respective Universty'S
glory, for couple of months undergo
most uncomfortable daily routine OF
early rising, cold baths exercise, walks
and rowing with the end in view that
they may row upon the bosom OF old
father Thames for brief twenty minutes
and add another match to their Alma
Matters score.
The boatrace is distinctly an amateur
sporting event and as il is run or rather
rowed for the glory aud not Tor any
material prize, the general public is al
ways confident OF placing their money
upon their favorite with the ultimate re
suit that the best eight will win.
Alter participating in an interesting
conference here in London, the mai u
portion OF the Elders for brief lew days
prior TO returning TO their respective
fields OF labor electe d 10 cast aside their
ministerial duties temporarily and mingle
with the merry ihrong oil sightseers and
searchers alter tenn ,Joral things in gener
al. OF course the Oxford and Cambridge
boat race had t. receive the attention
due to such well known event. To
tell the truth, the race was a very
popular institution for obvious reasons.
In the first pl ce it was free Comments
are supel fluousD Then again some
geographical Ananias in the crowd
rasniy stated, with an enthusiasm worthy
OF better cause, that Hammersmith
was within easy walking distance Of
Aesthetic SO Acting upon the sug-
gestion, some halt dozen OF the flower
of the flock btfrocked and tophatted
undertook to walk and appear oblivious
to the seductive allurements of the
loquacious buss conductors who in stem
torian tones informed the world at large
that their own particular htarse was
bound for "Ammersmith " The lady
novelist OF the Bertha NJ. Clay cahbre
usually sends her heroes to the boat
race upon the box seat of large yellow
drag from which he skilfuliy steers four
prancing bob tailed bay steeds 10 the &C.
compartment Of a martial fare fare upon
the post horn, down TO Putney; the
drag is usually respondent with curl :
headed Adonises, together with youth
and beauty galore, alfred in the latest
fashion with the addition oil Cambridge
blue parasols, cold collation. and cham
payne under the seat, also couple OF
liveried lacqueys in attendance. We
saw several OF the aoove vehices but at
the same time, as heretofore remarked,
we walked. Down Salisbury avenue
with its theatres into Picauily circus
with its afighted traffic dodsing dam
sells and frantic shoppers, who eye one
in a suspicious manner indicative that
they are dubious as to whether ones as
socia,es are pickpockets or bunco men.
On reaching Picadilly the traffic, even at
that comparative early hour, St emed to
flow in an uninterrupt d stream towards
Putney cabs and busses, coach and Tours.
each and everyone decked out with light
and dark blue ribbons Tight blue being
the colors OF Cambridge girls in hats
trimmed with the same colors upon the
horses harness and from the forest of
whip sticks as far as the eye could
Iescn, float ID little ribbons or rosettes
OF the respective colors.
Blythe time our noble little band had
passed a section OF Hyde Park with
some Of London's aristocratic clubs ON
its border, and had reached Kepsington,
it had become somewhat segregats d.
Four miles walking upon London's
pavement is equal to seven in the
country at anytime, Those OF the band
who were not in active pedestrian train
ing began TO develop symptoms OF
fatigue and incidentally pass derogatory
remarks regarding the instigator oil the
crusade, London pavements in general.
and boat races in particular. On draw
ing near Putney things assumed con
ference aspect, only more so; the side
walks refused to accommodate the throngs
of pleasure seekers who overlooked into
the st eet and exchanged courtesies
with the cabbies and bus. drivers who
seemed bent on juggernauting the luck
less irespass ers OF their domains. Ham.
mersmith Bridge seemed to be the goal
Of good many OF the crowd, who upon
arriving there were grievously disap-
pointed at the TACT that the numerous
police mounted and on foot kept the
crowd moving and compelled them to
take up posts OF vantage upon the sur
Tey side low path
From the suspension bridge the view
up and down the river was sight that
to say the least Of 1t was quite novelty
to the average Utahnisn. Along the
low path as far as the eye could reach
was aseething restless mass Of humanity,
whilst upon the Middlesex bank. the
numerous public houses that faced the
river had huge grand stands erected
upon the roofs oil the same to accommo.
date the sight-seers, for a consideration
Lumber yards, trees and all posts of
vantage we're occupied, whilst a goodly
number OF rakish looking stream launch
es and other river craft added to the
general panorama.
After many trials and fluctuations the
Mormon brigade reached the Surrey
side, where the fun was fast and furious
In an open space adjoining the low path
pandemonium seemed to be let loose.
Merry 60 rounds, shooting galleries,
swing boats and three SHES penny
were doing land office business.