Hanlan and Trickett

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 10, 20 November 1880, Page 80

Hanlan and Trickett

The championship match between Trickett and Hanlan was rowed on the Thames on Monday, and eventuated, as all the world now knows, in an easy victory for Hanlan. This result was from the very first foretold by the good judges in England. The canny Newcastle folks and Thames watermen both united in condemning Trickett's style in the mo.-t unqualified terms. After his visit to the North " Pendragon " of the " Referee " wrote— "Trickett's visit to the North doesn't seem to have done his chance much good in the eyes of Newcastle's indefatigable river-watchers. So decided is the opinion expressed in the canny town now, and so like is that opinion to the one expressed here repeatedly, that it really looks as if the Australians must be having a game with the English, and "kidding" their little utmost. It may yet turn out that Trickett can .show first-class form when chooses ; if he can, he is sadly wasting time over his present exhibitions. Tynesiders are pretty keen to discover exceptional ability — they gave Hanlan his stoppages and other eccentricities in, and yet knew he was a certain winner in his race with Hawdon. The same critics that "found out " Hanlau now declare that Trickett has no chance whatsoever. Thinking this, they say it — and even Australians, so lvady to ascribe private feeling and discover personal motive, will be at a loss to find anything in this but an opinion about things as they appear. What I am afraid of is that everybody will be wanting to back Hanlan, and that, after all the talk about an A ustralian bank for Trickett, there will really be nought but his own money and that of his immediate friends behind him. f- o one will be more pleased than I if directly Trickett settles .down into his work he begins to show dangerous ability, and gains friends with every fresh exhibition of pace and power. It is no pleasant matter to contemplate a race which will be a walk over, bar iiccident, with one man fit and spinning. Far better would it be if no one could say with any degree of certainty where the lead Avill be taken, or who will take it. As it is, 3 and 4 to 1 were on offer in Newcastle this week that Hanlan leads at the end of the first furlong. I don't suppose anyone believes in the possibility of Trickett being able to row down Hanlan subsequently." A fortnight later the same authority says : — " Hanlan's displays upon the Tyne have given great satisfaction to canny N ovocastrians, who ■appear divided between enthusiasm at the vigour and style of the English champion, and pleasure at his complimentary choice of a stream upon which to commence his practice. If words alone would settle the question of superiority, then is Hanlan already an easy winner. . . . . As to relative chances, lam of the same opinion- now as I have been since the race between Trickett and Hanlan was first mooted. Further readers will be able to judge for them•selves when in a few clays they see practising on the one river th« man whose champion claim rests upon his beating Joseph Sadler, after the latter had seen twelve years' hard professional service, and the man who combines a grace and dexterity never before equalled, with a speed which is about three furlongs in four miles faster than that of Higgins, Klliott, Boyd, or the best of our latest English school of scullers." The San Francisco "News Letter "of Oct. 23rd, says :— "The English sporting papers are now beginning to see signs of improvement in Trickett's style of rowing. Kelly, his trainer, is making him take plenty of hard work, and it does not seem to hurt him in the least. Of Hanlan, one paper says, he is not only rowing in easier style, and sliding two inches further

patronised. The first number on the programme was the Overture to " Figaro," which introduced eight young ladies (pupils) and their instructor. This Avas remarkably well played, the time being kept accurately by each and every performer (no easy thing for eighteen hands). There was a crispness and freshness exhibited in this item which quite pleased everybody. The duett of Campana's (Te '1 Hammenti ") followed, and, allowing for slight nervousness on the part of the contralto, was fairly well given. Whilst commenting upon this Italian piece, I must remind the two ladies and gentleman of the imperative necessity of trilling and rounding the letter R, which (although ii our English language not always required) must be attended to in singing Italian. [ do not say for a moment that Mrs. Stevens, Mrs. Stanier, or Mr. Wilson are ignorant of of this fact ; but amongst the many aspirants to Italian singing, English vocalists seem to think that if they do succeed iv this, their friends

Mrs. Stauier «md Mr. Gordon Gooch as soloists. The latter f-ang a Brindisi by Martin Swallow, called "The Goblet," which — although a composition of merit — will hardly become a popular piece amongst a mixed musical audience. It was very Avell sung, however, and the vocalist had the advantage of a very effective accompanist, in the composer himself. An encore was obtained, to wliich Mr. Gooch responded by singing "The Lighthouse," or " The Lighthouse Keeper." Mrs. SStanier, in her solo, displayed material for a, first-class artiste, but the song taxed her high notes too much, and was not, I think, a happy selection. Her lower register shone out splendidly, and, with more confidence and a greater familiarity with ope-

ratic "scenas," tliis lady ought to occupy a high position as a, vocalist. I was much disdisappointed with the rendering of Hatton's ballad " Good-bye, Sweetheart," the time of which was very undecided, in fact, the song proved altogether too much for Mr. Wilson's