Year: 1870

H"e tnmDria and the Sappho--Prepose0
Channel Race.


Elsewhere we give correspondence in re-
ference to a yachting match between Mr. Ash
bury, owner of the English yacht Cambria,
and Mr.. Douglas. owner of the American
yacht Sappho With the letters we also give
diagram showing the course named by Mr.
Ashbury as the only one over which he will
make a race against the Sappho. 1t will be
to weary of the discussion Of races by CORES
pondence Through whose fault, then, has the
nearly interminable correspondence on several
races been brought about II not through his !?
He challenges the world to several races.
Challenging the world was always an American
prerogatlve and when this ambitious gentle
man ventured upon our national ground it was
but natural that he should be taken up from
many points. He soon saw the necessity of
limiting some Of his challenges, and hence the
many letters Of which he now wearics.


As to the course indicated for the latest
proposed race, this Is the primary fact
it is an eminently unfair one to test the
merits Of an American yacht. At the same
time it ia a course peculiarly fitted to give
play to certain Of the greater excellences Of
yachts Of the English style. The very presence
OF the lighthouses-the fact that the first
stretch of the course is drawn between two Of
these indcators-tels story Of the difficulties
OF navigation in that water, and not of tho
legitimate difficulties of navigation which 1t Is
the sailors greatest glory to contend against,
but of the treacherous, hidden, annoying per-
plexities Of sands and shoals. With such diff
hcuties In tho way 1t is obvious that there
must be great advantage for the deep, sharp,
narrow craft of fine lines that best answers to
her helm in sudden changes Of course, and just
this is the character of the English yachts a.
contradistnguished from the American yachts,
which are better with greater sea room. The
course, then, is a proper one TO test one point
OF excellence in boats--namely, the readiness
with which they can be brought about. If this
were most important point, or if it were just
now specially at issue, this would be good
course; but as other points of far more ac
count oyerbalance it, as, in fact, the most
generally seaworthy boat, and the fastest,
may, in this triangular race, be beaten by the
handiest, which is neither good nor FAST the
course is partial and unfair, and not fitted to
test the point at issue between these yachts,
which is their speed on fair course equally
suited to the merits Of each.


Why, then, does Mr.. Ashbury name such a
course and declare that it is his 'ultimatum"---
nay, not only declare that he will race over
this unless the owner Of the Sappho will give
him a start Of fifteen or twenty minutes on
account Of the greater size of the Sappho,
though from the nature Of the course it is not
quite certain that greater size Is not disad-
vantage? Simply because he does not want
any race with the Sappho. lie has beaten
her once, and does not want TO risk the honor
so won by giving her any chance to beat him.
Therefore he names conditions that are impos-
sible, or nearly 80. On the other hand, Mr..
Douglas is eager for match and perhaps the
more eager as he perceives the disposition on
the other side to avoid it. 1t is q law in sport
also, as well as In commerce, that is stated in
the commercial phrase ''the buyer must pay"
Mr.. Douglas must take some disadvantage to
secure race from a man whois not only in
different, but averse, to a new trial of the
boats, Notwithstanding his oft asserted readi-
ness.


In such relation Of rival sportsmen the
eager man is very apt to be tempted into a
hopeless contest, and to make match In which
he cannot possibly win. Mr.. Douglas, we
are glad to note, is not likely to fall into this
error, as he positively refuses to give time
over this course; and since he positively
refuses this, and Mr.. Ashbury as positively
declares he will not sail without it, there is not
much likelihood that match will be made


International Jurisdiction in Egypt-The


Consular Reform Commission.


Tho special correspondence from Egypt,
dated at Cairo on the 2Sth Of January, which
appears in our columns to-day, supplies matter
which interests tho commerce and citizens
rights Of the American people in very pointed
manner, and consequently affects the cause Of
civilization all over the world in its present
intercourse with the inhabitants and executive
of the land of the Pharaohs. The HERALD
writer reports the organization and progress
of the International Consular Commission
assembled in that city with the view of regu-
lating and strengthening out the complex
claims of franchise and duty due to and by
foreigners in the country. President Grants
commission authorizing Consul General Charles
Hale to act on behalf of the people and govern
ment of the United States during the conference
and the report which was adopted by the COM
mission are also given. This paper is Of q
honod that Enxnt will ha anain cnmnlntelu or