The General Meetings of the R. Y. S. are, in London, at the Thatched House Tavern, the second Saturday in May; at Cowes, the second Friday in July, second Friday in August, and first Friday (for ballot only) in September. The Chair taken at one precisely, in London; at eleven A.M. at Cowes. A THE ROYAL THAMES YACHT CLUB. very full meeting of the members of the above club took place on Thursday, April 1, at the British Hotel, Cockspur Street; the Commodore, W. H. Harrison, Esq., in the chair, when W. Egan, Esq. brought forward his motion, "That the value of the Cups given to yachts of the second class be increased £5," which was carried unanimously. Mr. Helmore's motion, "That the value of the cups given to yachts of the third class be increased £5," was, after some discussion, lost by a large majority. Wheeler, Esq., the much respected treasurer, then read a report of the finances of the club, by which it appears that they have a very handsome balance in hand; and from the prosperous state of the club, and the spirited conduct of the members, a gay season may be anticipated. The first match will take place on the 29th of May, by yachts of all three classes; and on the 28th of June, the match for the Grand Challenge Cup will take place, which must be won by the same member two successive years before it becomes the property of the successful competitor. It was won last year by Henry Gunston, Esq., in the "Gazelle." We should mention that any member belonging to a "Royal Yacht Club" may enter his yacht for the above prize. J. Wanhill Esq., the late owner of the Alarm, has built a beautiful craft, called the Champion, which will come into the river from Poole; report speaks highly of her appearannce, and no doubt her spirited owner will try his utmost to gain possession of the prize. We are sorry to find that W. Chillingworth, Esq., in consequence of ill health, has sold his cutter yacht, "Spray," to Saunders, Esq. We purpose next month giving a corrected list of the Royal Western Yacht Squadron, with a "Glance at its Regattas," and trust our valued Correspondent at Mill Bay will pardon our keeping his manuscript a month longer. Other lists will follow. THE OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE MATCH.-BY KEEL. The grand contest between these two Universities came off on the 14th of last month, and is the fourth that has taken place between them over the London course. The first was in 1836, and in all the Cantabs have been victorious. At a quarter before 6 P.M. the rival boats prepared to take their station, manned with the following crews OXFORD. 5 Mr. Hodgson, Balliol Coll. 2 Mr. Richards, Christ's Church Coll. 1 Mr. Bethell, Exeter Coll. Mr. C. B. Wollaston (Coxswain), CAMBRIDGE. 8 Mr. Vialls (Stroke) Trinity Coll. 3 Mr. Ritchie, Trinity Coll. 2 Hon. L. Denman, Magdalen Coll. Mr. J. Croker (Coxswain), Caius The Cambridge had the advantage in weight (if advantage it may be called): the Cambridge crew weighing 101st. 11lbs, that of the Oxford 99st. 7lbs. The Cambridge colour was light blue, and the Oxford dark blue. The Oxonian boat was carvel-built; the Cantab clinkerbuilt. Mr. T. Egan, of Caius College, Cambridge, and Mr. Walls, of Brazennose College, Oxford, were appointed umpires; and Mr. Antrobus, M.P., referee. The choice of station fell to the Cantabs, who took the Middlesex side; and the Oxonians the next arch on the Surrey side. At ten minutes past six, Mr. Searle, jun., started them. The Cantabs got the best of the start, No. 6 of the Oxford crew missing two or three strokes, by which the Cambridge boat went instantly a-head. Never was there a finer exhibition of the art of rowing, than from the starting-place to the Horseferry. At this point the Cantabs were clear a-head. The Oxford men, however, exerted every sinew, but in vain. At Vauxhall Bridge the Cantabs were rather more than a boat's length, or ten seconds, a-head. Here it was considered by the Nobs that the match was pretty well settled. Both crews, however, continued to row with unabated courage; but off the Red-house, the Oxonians showed evident symptoms of fatigue. After passing Vauxhall Bridge, up to the Red-house, not a bet could be obtained, although 15 to 1 was in many cases offered. Here both boats kept steadily at work, the Cantabs still drawing a-head. When off Chelsea, they again set to work, and cleared the centre arch of Battersea Bridge, thirty-one seconds a-head of the Oxford. Having passed the bridge, each crew continued to row with undaunted pluck. Off Wandsworth, Mr. Wollaston, the Oxonian coxswain, urged his crew to renewed exertions, and they shortened their distance two boats'-lengths. The coxswain of the Cantabs, at this point, coming in view of Putney Bridge, stimulated his crew, and they went through the centre arch of the bridge at tremendous speed -one minute and four seconds a-head of their antagonists. The distance was performed by the Cantabs in thirty-two minutes and a half, and they came in apparently without distress. Putney Bridge was a most imposing sight, being crowded with horsemen, fourin-hands, and equipages of all sorts. We are glad to say the whole passed off without any serious acccident. After the various crews had partaken of a good substantial dinner, and after many toasts and long speeches, the Putney shore assumed its usual quietude. No matches of any interest are fixed for the present month. MONTHLY MISCELLANY. EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCE.-About a fortnight ago, as the Regulator coach, from Falmouth to Exeter, was changing horses at Crockernwell, the fresh horses, which were standing ready tackled, and with their cloths on, suddenly started without the coach, and ran the whole distance to Exeter (about eleven miles), keeping together all the way as if yoked to the coach, and under the coachman's guidance. On their arrival at the Exeter turnpike gate, the gatekeeper supposing that some accident had happened, took charge of them. It is remarkable that the animals kept their accustomed time, and that only one of them lost its cloth by the way. The coach went forward to Exeter with the horses which had brought the previous stage from Okehampton. CROXTON PARK RACES.-The Stewards of the Croxton Park Race Club have resolved upon the organization of a club, to be called "The Croxton Park Club," of which each member on being elected will become liable to an annual subscription of one sovereign; and have also decided upon restricting the riding in all subsequent races to such noblemen and gentlemen only as belong to the club. We are indebted to Messrs. Griffiths for a very capital specimen of their new 66 India-rubber lined" riding whip. For racing purposes nothing can be better, as its elasticity and durability are both very superior. We can safely recommend it to the favourable notice of our sporting friends. REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. SUMMER MORNING; a Poem, by Thomas Miller, author of "A Day in the Woods," &c. &c. Hayward and Co., London. A sweet little wreath of poesy, full of the author's fresh flowers, culled in the woods and fields, and strung together with true poetic taste. "NOTITIA VENATICA," by Mr. Vyner, formerly Master of the Holderness Hunt, is now in the Press, and will shortly be Publisbed. The Author's experience must be fruitful; and Alken has caught the true spirit of many of his best scenes in his Illustrations. Another Work also announced as shortly to be Published, will be of great interest to the Sportsman, should the subject be treated in a manner equal to its merits.-We allude to "South African Sketches;" illustrative of the Wild Life of a Hunter, on the Frontier of the Cape Colony. MONTHLY DIARY.-RACE MEETINGS, CLOSING OF STAKES, &c 391 392 A BOUNCE AMONG THE BEARS, BY PETE WHETSTONE A SHAKESPERIAN FRAGMENT, BY RIGDUM FUNNIDOS AND DESCRIPTIVE BY 301 404 405 408 SPORTS OF THE SEA.-CHAPTER III.-BY THE AUTHOR OF RATTLIN THE MASTERS OF HOUNDS, BY NIMROD.—NO, III.—SIR THOMAS MOSTYN AND LEAVES FROM THE LEISURE BOOK OF AN OLD TURFITE-NO. II. 433 The Editor's Bor, CHANGES IN HUNTING COUNTRIES YATCHING AND BOATING. THE ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON; THE ROYAL Embellishments. THE SMASH IN PICCADILLY, BY RADCLYFFE, AFTER HENDERSON OLD WHIP, BY LANDELLS, AFTER WILDRAKE PATENT LIFE PRESERVER, BY LANDELLS, AFTER WILDRAKE NO. VI.-VOL I.-NEW SERIES. |