SIENA, ITALY, December 23, 1876.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE CRIMSON:-

WHILE thanking you for your courtesy in publishing my letter of the 9th ult., I wish to correct the impression under which you labor, that I compared the modern hydraulic machines with the old fashioned weights, which never, to my knowledge, were dignified with the epithet "rowing." I cited rowing weights at random, as affording an example by which I could illustrate a principle, namely, the mutual effects of mind and muscle.

I do not agree with you when you assert that these contrivances necessarily bring out the pluck and endurance of a crew, although they may so do. However subtly a rowing-weight may be constructed, it can never be the counterpart of boat and oar. I therefore wished to suggest to the captains of crews to consider whether the "form" acquired at these machines would be deleterious to the "form" on the river; whether their effects would be depressing; and to pay due attention to such questions as the invigorating influence of timely repose.

I attached but little importance to my hints about rowing-weights as compared with the other suggestions, which I trust will not prove altogether worthless to your boating men.

Most truly yours,

F. CROWNINSHIELD.