WHETHER or not it is true that a bond 1,000 cup has been offered for a contest between Yale and Harvard vs. Oxford or Cambridge is quite uncertain, since persons most likely to have knowledge upon the subject profess ignorance, and the rumored author of the proposal is too far away to be interviewed.

Touching the subject, however, the tone of our English exchanges is too patronizing to be agreeable. After striking hard at the rowing of the "States" generally, taking away whatever credit Walter Brown may have deserved for whipping Sadler, and advising any other American representatives to stay at home, they tell us to keep on rowing, striving as heartily as we have done, and perhaps the next generation of Englishmen may meet us on the water as equals. At present it is deemed but idle for even a second-rate crew to measure oars with the best we can bring out. There is a good deal of bombast in this, and reminds one of a bully who boasts when thinking himself safe from fight. We have never rowed but once with an English university, and at that time, although beaten, the result was far from a disgrace. We were under every disadvantage, caused by change of climate and diet, and even of having men in the race not up to their usual excellence; despite this we followed close upon victory. The members of the winning crew themselves affirm it to have been a very hard and closely contested race.

Now, if there is to be a prize offered for another similar race, it seems but just for England to consent to a contest in American waters. She may be assured of every courtesy and advantage at our hands, and whatever the result, no dissatisfaction could be felt. In such an event we should in all probability send our best material; if England sends a second-rate crew, she does it at her peril.