Year: 1869




siasm on their behalf. But with the university
For not only is the university race free from the
slightest suspicion Of unfaimess jockeying, but IL
is rowed by young fellows who realize more nearly
than almost any other class in the British island the
ideal Englishman Handsome, stalwart, truthful
honorable, possessors of eXcellently well-trained
bodies and toleraby well-trained minds the boating
men of oxford and Cambridge have gone through
the Cyropgdiac curriculum Of learning to ride or at
least to row. to shoot and to speak the truth, the
pride their cOuntrymen take in them as the best
result that English civilization can turn out is not
altogether unworthy or unjustihabe. The regatta
of Yale and Harvard falls far below the regatta
of oxford and Cambridge in the interest which the
cOmpatrots Of the participants take in It, And this
is CXplicable enough without taking into account
that there are at least four amateur Oarsmen in Eng
land to every one in America. For though Yale and
Harvard, which are the only ones OF your colleges
where rowing has ever begun TO be praCtised with
scientific precision, or entitled to be called art
AT ALL are the most prominent colleges ia the United
States, they by no means enjoy the monopoly OF
higher education, which, in spite of the uprising of
younger universities intended tOmeet more modern
requirements, the ancient seats OF learning by the
Isis and the Cam, still practically retain. They do
not represent the American educated public with
anything like the fulness with which oxford and
Cambridge represent the British public. defeat
inflicted upon either OF them would not he tenth
OF the national humiliation as a defeat inflicted
upon either Of the English universities And Old
ONonians ana old Cantabrigans, as well as under
graduates, plume themselves quite as much upon
muscular as upon scholastic pre-eminence. 1t has
been doubtful which OF them had the better crew,
though an unbroken series Of OXonian victories
since 1861 would seem to have settled that question
pretty COnCusiyey. But whatever might be the
opinion of their relative merits true BritOn per-
mitted himself to doubt that either of them i'm.
measurably and sef-evidently superior to any crew
OF undergraduates that the insignificant portions of
the planet which has the misfortune to lie outside
the British isles could furnish.


Imagine all this to yourselves, and you will be
able to form some notion of the horror which seized
the British soul when the challenge was promu-
gated The disgust of Goliah ana Gath when David
presented his ruddy "cheek" to him. and besOught
CORY combat, was respectful admiration compared
which the boating undergraduates of England read
this harmless missive. Even after the Haryards
had actually come over, with spirit which
ought at least to have secured them re-
spectful treatment you remember the sneers
in which one portion OF the press saw fit to indulge
at the "fOrm" in which they rowed when they were
just of shpboard, and their training had been
broken up for a fortnight You remember how the
PaU NAL Gazette sneered at them as crew that
would only he fit at oxford for 'torpd" crew,
which is equivalent to saying that they ought to
he in the awkward squad. AS the Harvard men con-
tnued their practice, and got into something like
condition, it was curious to the change that came
over the British dream, and the gradual access of
respect with which the press treated them whereas
mitted, for the past few days that they likely
to push their opponents hard and that there was
dim and dreadful possibility That they might win the
race.


This last hideous chance entirely upset the equan-
unity OF the British temper. Since 1t came to be
believed that Harvard had a chance, nothing else
but the race has been talked about in public in
private places. Not much has been published about
the betting, and probably you would not to hear
much about it, But a great deal of money has been
laid, and at not very long odds either, considering
the antecedent probabilities in favor of Oxford And
this morning London fairly empted itself and spread
along both banks of the Thames TO see the race,
which was to strengthen or to overthrow the aquatic
prestige of Oxford


The Weather.


The day was beautiful in all respects. A
blue sky, with light summer breeze in the west
and dusky cloud over the city to the east, heated
with mellow radiance. The water itself was in
vting 1t was just rntled with a light breeze and
gIimmer showed the blue sky above standing on
the Fulham Bridge, one could see in almost straight
line the long gleam of water and catch view of
the Hammersmith Bridge, two miles of The at
mOsphere was as clear as that on the Hudson and
the minutest objects of interest lay bright and con-
spicuous in the afternoon light


The Banks.


1t should be understood that from Putney (Or Full
ham) Bridge all the way to Barnes Bridge there is on
the Surrey side OF the river wide towpath accessi
BILE from dozen points. This side of the river was,
therefore, open to the crowds of spectators which
early in the afternoon begged to come in not only
from the high street ana Barnes station of the
and Fuiham roads, and all the lanes leading
down from the east. On the other or Mid
deseX side, from Bishops creek, three
furlOngs above the starting point, there is con
tnuous stretch OF private parks and cottage grounds
carefully guarded from the incursons OF London
crowd, and inaccessible even on such special occa
ions as this to the general public. This side OF the
iver however, was thronged with the gentry and
heir ladies. At the Craven Cottage pavilion had
been erected with awning for the accommoda-
ion of the visitors and upon the ground and on the
verandahs and roOf-tops men and women were
gathered long before the hour OF starting.


The Spectators.


Across the Fulham Bridge there ratified an almost
uninterrupted stream of vehicles. The heavy lum-
bering, buses OF the metropolis, crowded not only
inside but on top with noisy passengers. and with
men hurTying on behind the numerous fancy turn
outs OF sporting men, gaily dressed in coors the
countless vehicles which London crowd pick up to
attend race, hacks cabs, carts, wagons, gigs,
phaetons jauntng cars, and vans close together in
rapid unbroRen file, passed over the bridge The
their hats shouting to each other, and guying the
onlOoRers as only Englishmen can


Around the Red Lion the confusion and excite
ment were something terrible, did the presence
of the peelers in large force serve to protect the
peaceably-disposed spectators from that hustling,
and all those playful tricks OF London crowd
which, whether at hanging or the hustings, are in
dulged i'll with utter freedom. AT O'Clock the
south shore was lined from the Bells to Barnes
Terrace with an unbroken mass OF human beings.
Their interest was intense they looked anXlously
Down the river; loud cries broke out ever ana anon,
line, would crane its thousands of necks
and men would be pushed out of place and stronger
men get their positions and the crowd would shout
and laugh. Here and there cheers were heard-nOW
for the OX1ords and now for the Haryards. Ihe
sympathy of the lower class was enthusiastically with
THEN countrymen. But there was the best OF Ieeilg
The gay decorations OF the Vehicles-nany OF tnem
being trimmed with the colOrs or the respective
CIeWs-BdNe aHNSN appearance W tlV ~ ~, tat %
the animation and excitement during the long walt
never tagged for an instant


Around the starting point every movement was
watched with breathess interest. Below the Drdge
the crowded steamers, forbidden to come beyond
certain point, seemed masses OF human beings;
The crowds, when the men appeared, shouted, and
at short intervals offered kindly advice. When the
word to start was given, and the TWO DoaIs shoI
ahead like arrows, the immense conconIsSe S seeLet %
TO hold its breath For minute after the Ist sout
there was not sound. Then the eXGlJemenII
burst the bounds. Men broke the lines and
ran along the path, cries of all descriptions
went mp, handkerchiefs, hats, and % colors were were
waved. million people seemed to be pursuing WIN
curiosity and anxiety The two boats came out