THE INTER-NATIONAL BOAT RACE.

Colonist, Volume XII, Issue 1264, 5 November 1869, Page 3

THE INTER-NATIONAL BOAT RACE.

(From the Times, August 28.) THEcourse bavingbeenthorough]ycleared,andeverything being in readiness, the Oxford and Harvard crews went down to the river shortly before five o'clock, the Oxford men to the Leander Club boathouse, and the Harvard men to that of the London Rowing Club, and proceeded to get into their racing The Oxford crew were first afloat, and pushed off from the shove about five minutes to five o'clock, followed almost immediately by the Americans, both crews coming in for loud and prolonged cheering as they paddled down to the post. Some little time was unfortunately wasted before the two fours were iv perfect readiness to go, as, owing to an unaccountable oversight, no station boats hud been provided from which to hold the sterns of the racine; boats preparatory to getting off. At length two skiffs were procured and, dropping their anchors just a-head of the line of lighters, they were placed in position. The two crews then backed down to them, the Harvard crew taking the Middlesex, a better situation, while the Oxionians were on the Surrey side of them, buth boats being immediately opposite* the Star and Garter Hotel, at Putney At ten minutes past five the starter, Mr. W. Blaikie, secretary of theHarord

v University Biat OUib, prepared <o get fienri off; but 11 owing to the Oxford crpw not being quite rendy when ;. uskvti the question, a few moments of suspense dkps^d. At. length, at fourteen minutes pa*it five, - the signal was given, and the nee commenced. The s fillo-ving were the names and the weights of the i crews:— OXFOIID. st Ib. a 1. P. Wiilan, Exetw 1' 10 3 2. A. 0. Yarhor ugh, Lincoln I.' 2 I 3. ,T. 0. Tinne, U.nveHj 13 8 > S. 0. Da-hishnv, H.IIM (-trokel ... !'• 6 J. IT. H.ii, 0 ;;•.«« f-iz*?.*n,) ... 7 2 ' Ha.h\miid. ' 1. J. S. Fay, J^v,^ ..... 11 1 1 2. F. 0. Lymau, fla.vaian Inlands 11 1 1 3. W. H. Simmons, Concord 12 2 ; A. P. Lorinu, Boston (stroke) 11 0 ■ A. Burnhan, Chicago (coxswain) 710 : The Harvard crow dipped their oars into the water first, bi.t the Oxioniana were airmst us quickly under way, alth >ugh not to such good purp >sq. So rapidly did the Americans get. their boat off that, off the Duke's Head, a'lout half-way between thii Star and Garter and Simmond's yard, they l"d by half a length, which advantage they hid increased to a whole length opposite the London Club bo vthouse, the cheers of the American spectators and the counter-cheers of the multitudes creating; a deafening uproar. At Bishop's Creek, on the Middlesex side of the river, the Harvard crew had, if possible, aided yet more to their lead, and, as far as we could judge from the steamer astern of them, were clear of Oxford, with a couple of feet, to spare. On past the Willows and the site of the Old Half-mile Post there was no change—the Harvard crew, who were rowing a very rapid stroke of at least forty-two to the minute—holding their advantage, even if they did not Blightly add to it. The Oxford crew on the ofchar hand, were pulling a very steady stroke of, perhaps, thirty-nine to the minute, without hurry or scrambling, and with every appearance of keeping it up all the way; but, nevertheless, their beat appeared to be moving so slowly, when compared with that of the Americans, that folks began to look at one another and to wonder how all this was to end. At Craven Cottage the Oxford crew, as both boats made for the bend to the right, seemed for a moment to be going up to their opponents; but this was more in appearance than reality, and was no doubt owing to the crews, which had hitherto been wide of one another, closing together preparatory to entering tha long reach for the Soap Works Point. Indeed, they approached the Harvard boat so rapidly that their coxswain was compelled to edge out a little so as to keep out of danger, and a somewhat too free use of his left-hand rudder-line caused his boat to lose way and grouud at the Bame time, the Harvard crew at this moment leading by something over a length. At the upper end of the garden of Craven Cottage, the Harvard coxswain, apparently not liking the slack water under the Middlesex shore, sheered outwards, and bored the Oxford crew towards midstream, the hitter giving way at once. This little bit of manoeuvring gave the American boat a further advantage, so that off the Grass Wharf, just above the Cottage, they led by a length and a quarter, or thereabout. Below Rosebank Villa, and while the two boats were crossing the water for the point on the Surrey shore below Hammersmith, the Oxford crew drew up slightly, and the pace of the Harvard men seemed to diminish a trifle, bat this idea was immediately dispelled by their once more drawing away from Oxford as they passed the Crab Tree, the American boat being well steerei out nearly in the centre of the river, where the flood tide was les3 spsnt than closer in shore, where the Oxonians were taken. Consequently, for a short distance it apjseared as if the Harvard crew were about to leave the Oxford men. altogether astern, and many and anxious were the inquiries addressed to those who were supposed to be well versed in aquatic matters as to their opinion of the probable result of the race, which certainly now looked anything but favorable to the English crew, this being just above the Crab Tree and some distance below the clump of trees adjoining the Soap Works, on the Surrey shore. In rounding the point below Messrs. Cowan's wharf the aspect of affairs underwent an important and very marked change, the Oxford crew once more beginning to hold their own, and as the two boats breasted the Soap Works perceptibly gaming on the Americans. A tremendous cheer wa* sent up by the crowd which had gathered on the wharf and in its iraruediate neighborhood, to be taken up and re-echoed by thousands of throats as the crews came in sight of Hammersmith Bridge, which from the water appeared to be a ma9s of human beings. After passing the Soap Works, and when the boats were pointed for the centre span of the Suspension-bridge, the Oxford crew, who now benefitted by the flood in the middle of the river, began to overtake the Harvard boat, overlapping it just below the steamboat-pier, and drawing up several feet over its stern as they both shot the arch, reached in eight minutes twenty seconds. After passing the bridge, the Oxford crew, who were vociferously cheered when the aspect of affiirs was discovered by the crowd above, gained still more upon the leaders, and off Biffen's yard were barely three-quarters of a length in the rear. Opposite the Doves it became clear that it was merely a question of time when the Oxford boat would overtake and pass its rival, but the Harvard men made such splendid efforts to avert defeat that it was some distance before Oxford could be said to be on even terms with them, the Harvard four still leading off the Oil Mills by from a quarter to half a length. No material alteration occurred for another hundred yards until after passing the staging at present being erected in the river off the West Middlesex Waterworks, when the Oxford crew, inch by inch, and stroke by stroke, reduced the re- . maining portion of the distance by which they were headed, and in rounding the bend just below Chiswick Evot made a brilliant effort, and at length drew level with the Americans for the first time subsequently to leaving the starting-post, this happening exactly opposite the Old Ship tavern, at Ohiswick Lower Mall. When once the Oxonians were really level with the Harvard crew, and had them in the toils, the latter fell abroid in their rowing, no doubt as much from distress owing to the severity of the pace as at finding themselves caught by a crew who had been so long astern of them and in full view. It so happened then that at the foot of Chiswick Evot the Oxford crew led by half a length, boths boat keeping a very good and parallel course on the Surrey side of the river. Of a sudden, whether from the coxswain pulling his larboard line unnecessarily, or, as we are inclined to think, from the superior strength if their bow-side oars, the Harvard crew were suddenly sheervd in towards Oxford, who held on in a perfectly true direction without budging an inch. So close, indeed, did the >oara of the two crews become that for a moment there was considerable danger of a collision, but the bow-side oars of Oxford being ahead of the stroke-side oars of Harvard there was no contact, and all further danger was obviated by the American coxswain fetching his boat out towards midstream. Indeed, so determined did he appear to avoid touching that he took his men unnecessarily wide, and by throwing the boat slightly athwart the tide lost them some ground. As soon as they had recovered their course the Harvard crew spilrted and for a moment appeared to hold way with the English crew; but as the effort died out, about the middle of Chiswick Eyot, the latter once more drew slowly away, the race being now safe.' Off the upper end of the Eyot, the Oxford coxswain steered out in front of the Harvard boat, and skilfully threw the back wash, of his boat on to that of the Americans, which completed their discomfiture ; and at Chiswick Church, reached in thirteen minutes fifteen seconds, Oxford led by one length and a trifle over. Nothing but .an accident could then alter the fortunes of the day, for the Oxford crew, rowing with great precision, while the Americans were rapidly becoming unsteady and losing their compactness, increased their advantage at every stroke, leading by two lengths off the White Cottage above Chiswick, three at the Buttering Creek, in the Duke of Devonshire's meadows, and by four at Barnes railway-bridge, reached in eighteen minutes four seconds. Prom the bridge upwards • the Oxford crew added still further to their lead, being about five lengths ahead off Mortlake Brewer J Just before reaching the "Ship"'.'.*,young man wtio was sculling a ladj about in a gig rowed out suddenly '- from the Middlesex shore in iront of the Oxfordboat, so that iv order to »Toid ruaniog into her th»L'-:

Oiford coxswain was compelled to shedi1 hlit boat suddenly to the left* and; as it wafej the btfw*sidt* burs of the drew just missed hifctifag the gig. By this contretemps Oxford lost at least a length, for by the time their boat was again straightened the Harvard four had come vp1 a little; but, notwithstanding this, the former reached the " Ship" first, clever, if not easy winners, hy four lengths, of one of the moat gallantly contested races ever rowed between Putney and MortLike, and one equally honorable to victors an! vanquished. [The umpire gave it only a length and threequarters, and the Oxford bow oar writes to cay that that iB most probably correct.] Mormonism. —An American paper says that Brigham Young's son Joe smokes cigars, drinks liquor, gets tipsy, plays poker, licks his wives, and preaches the Gospel. • It is stated that the thick tough sap found in large quantities in the leaves of the New Zealand flax, may be converted into a gum for sealing envelopes, which, •when dry, unites the surfaces of paper so thoroughly that no process of steaming or soaking will permit them to be separated again. For this reason it is now being used in large quantities in England in the preparation of what are called " Safety Envelopes."— The Engineer, Sept. 3rd, 1869. The Pors and the Bishop ©f Ceacow.—The Frankfort journals state that the Papal Nuncio has addressed a severe admonition to the Bishop of Ciacow, who had applied to the persons who imprisoned Barbara Übryk the term " demons." The prelate appears to have immediately expressed his regret at having allowed himself to be carried away BO far as to insult those " pious sisters." Andrew Jenkins intends to cross the Niagara on a velocipede over a tight rope. Andrew's obituary notice J3 in preparation. The Duke of Edinburgh is to visit Ceylon, and a Bum of £24,000 has been voted for his reception. A company has been formed in London for making a railway from Dunedin to Port Chalmers and to Deborah Bay, converting the latter into an extensive ■wet dock capable of receiving all the shipping arriving afc Otago. It will no doubt be of great advantage to trade, by substituting a rapid delivery of cargo at Dunedin instead of the tedious transit by lighters. The railway will join the one about to be commenced from Dunedin to Molyneux. Female Education in America.—The authorities of Harvard University (United States), advertise that the courses of instruction in that institution for the coming collegiate year will be open to competent persons of both sexes. The lectures are to be given by an eminent faculty, among whom we observe the names of Ralph Waldo Emerson, James Eussell Lowell, Frederic D. Hedge, and William D. Howells, a poet of rising reputation. New Zealand must look to its laurels in flaxgrowing. A circular has been issued by a gentleman in Wiltshire inviting respectable families to join him in forming a Colony in the Eiver Plate district for the purpose of growing wheat and flax. The scheme is said to be supported by the authorities at the Eiver Plate, and is likely to be very profitable if properly carried out. We have heard nothing as yet as to how the proposal has been received in England. Maize as Food for Hoeses.—lt appears from the report of the half-yearly meeting of the London General Omnibus Company, that maize (Indian corn, or Mealies) has been used by the company during the last half-year exclusively, instead of oats. The report states : —The very encouraging results which attended the use of maize as provender in the previous half-year induced the directors to adopt it still more extensively during the past half-year, and at length to substitute it entirely for oats. During the summer no other corn had been used for the working studs. The substitution of maize for oats effected a saving of £14,172 in the half-year. The European Mail, while writing of this Colony, says it is worth while stating that the import of New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) is becoming of great importance here, and for " clean" parcels a market is readily found at from £30 to £40 10s. per ton. It is said that there is an opening for the fibre to compete with Manilla hemp, fair samples of which realise £50 per ton. There is, however, room for improvement in the mode of cleaning adopted in the Colony, and if the gum and other adherent matter could be removed without weakening the fibre, there is little doubt that much better prices would be obtained. This point is recommended to the earnest attention of producer's and shippers. A fine silky fibre is also spoken of, eaid to be prepared from common tussock gras3 in New Zealand, and valued at from £40 to £45 a ton, of which sample shipments are strongly recommended. A New Sect in EirssrA.—All the extraordinary proceedings of the many fanatical sects whose rapid increase has excited so much anxiety in Russia, are fairly thrown into the shade by a terrible act of selfimmolation which is reported from the G-overnment of Saratow. A few months ago the prophets of a new religion made their appearance in that part of the empire, preaching self-destruction by fire as the only sure road to salvation ; and so readily was their dreadful doctrine received by the ignorant superstitious peasantry, that in one large village no less than 1700 assembled in some wooden houses, and, having barricaded the doors and windows, set the building on fire and perished in the flames. The authorities are doing all they can to Btay the progress of this new madness, but their task is obviously a difficult one. The punishments which the law can inflict must have little terror for enthusiasts who deliberately choose a death so horrible as the true road to heaven. A Plague of Insects in Switzerland.—A Swiss journal mentions that the neighborhood of Mendrisio, in the Ticino, is infested with a plague of black caterpillars, which enter the houses, creep into the beds, and cause painful swellings by their touch. Some persons have endeavored to protect their dwellings by laying a train of sulphur around, but without avail. Thousands of those insects have been killed, but the number doe? not seem to decrease. In some localities prayers have been offered up for the removal of this scourge. Celibacy and the Cleegy.—An Italian writer says:—lt is said, apparently on authority, that at the forthcoming Council, on December 8, the Pope ■will be urged to relax the rule enforcing celibacy on the clergy, in the hope of winning to the Church of Eome certain ordained members of the Anglican and other Protestant Churches. . In view of the opening of the Suez Canal, the Trieste Chamber of Commerce have granted permission for a line of steamships to be established, and to be subsidised by the State, to run between Trieste and Bombay, via the Suez Canal. Gold-finding in a! Courtyard in Essex.—A few days ago, whilst a little boy was playing at knocking stones one against the other, he was somewhat surprised by seeing a glittering substance in the heart of a paving stone which he had broken. He paid no attention to this on the first time of finding it; but on again seeing a bit of the same bright metal m another pieceof quartz In the yard, he took it to a jeweller's in the adjoining town (Braintree) who pronounced it to be a nugget of remarkably pure gold, and gave him sixpence for it. Since then two more particles of gold have been found, but the stones have been down too long for it to be possible to ascertain whence they came from j but it is clear that, -wherever that may be, there must also be a considerable abundance of gold. A New Lake.—A singular phenomenon, we are informed, has been witnessed in the vicinity of a village in Upper Austria. On Thursday, August 19, the. soil covering several yokes of land "in the neighborhood of Moll, a few leagues from the town of Steyer, suddenly fell in with a crash like thunder; and where the oats were waving a few seconds before there suddenly appeared a lake. The water of this newest addition to Upper Austrian scenery is clear, temperature is very low, and it is said to bear a great resemblance to that of the glacier lakes. The water of the river Steyer, which, as far as can be judged, has no connection with the newly-discovered natural reservoir, is said to be chemically different. As may • he supposed, all sorts of theories have been invented to gxplain this surprising phenomenon. According to one of them the ground had been gradually undermined by the action of subterranean water, and the fall of the roof, of the space thus hollowed out oacurr.ed aa a matter of course.