WE are glad to announce that the Executive Committee of the Harvard Boat Club will soon publish a small hand-book, illustrative of the style of rowing now in vogue at Harvard. It is to be issued in pamphlet form, after the manner of a similar work printed at Oxford, England, some ten years ago.
It is not the design of those having the matter in charge to enter into a theoretical discussion of principles already settled, nor to give the reasons why one theory is to be desired in preference to another; but simply to describe a system which, having stood the test of practical experience, is considered, if followed, to give the best results. That there is a want of such a work among the lovers of aquatic sports who have not yet joined the College, but intend to do so soon, is evinced by the glaring faults into which they have ignorantly fallen, and to overcome which often require great exertion. Moreover, some such manual, plain and practical in its explanations, is needed by the various class crews, so that, knowing precisely what is required, they can labor to accomplish that end.
The crews of other colleges, if they should discover in this explanation of the prevailing style of rowing here any new points which it would be advantageous to know, can avail themselves of them.
Some may question whether the publication of these peculiarities of style, or "pet points," if such there are, would be a discreet act. To all such we would say, that the Committee, throwing away all selfish motives, and disregarding any advantage which might be attained through silence on such subjects, have acted on the generous and commendable principle that their publication would tend to foster the interest taken in the improved style of rowing now springing up at our various colleges.
This is an initiatory step in the right direction, and a similar frankness in all boating transactions would do much toward rooting out those dishonest trickeries which are beginning to make their appearance.
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