BOATING men find it interesting, these pleasant afternoons, to watch the work going on at the boat-house. The rowing-machines are first used by the Freshmen. Captain North has two eights in training. His men row six or seven hundred strokes daily, and run about two miles. Several of the Freshmen are well built for rowing, and promise to make good men for the University; and the candidates are, as a whole, equal to the average Freshmen crew. Messrs. Schwartz and Crocker of last year's 'Varsity are coaching them with marked success. Mr. Schwartz in particular gives surprising evidence of a decided talent for coaching, the benefit of which we trust the 'Varsity may also enjoy. The Columbia and Yale Freshmen have been challenged; at the time of writing no answer has been received from either, though the daily papers announce that Columbia declines. Yale would prefer a six-oar race, but our Freshmen wish to have an eight-oar.

Immediately after the Freshmen the 'Varsity take possession of the machines. Captain Bancroft has set Captain North the example of having two eights at work. By keeping so many men in training, an opportunity for regular exercise is given to those who desire it, and a sufficient supply of good oarsmen is insured to form a crew, should one be desired, which can pull with the 'Varsity. There is no regular coach for the men now; Mr. Bancroft himself gives to their work the necessary oversight. They are doing a steady, moderate amount of work, which will, of course, be increased as spring approaches.

In watching the University Crew the visitor is much struck with the easy, matter-of-fact way in which the old men do their work as contrasted with the stiffer, more labored, and less efficient efforts of the new men. To the old men rowing seems to be the most natural thing in the world. It is worth rowing a couple of years to acquire that graceful, powerful style and swing which seem to make the severest labor mere pastime. The new men are stout, vigorous fellows; but they bucket, catch behind the others, do not go back far enough, hurry forward again, and waste more strength in one stroke than the old men do in ten. To row well, as to do well anything worth doing, requires long, faithful practice. If our readers don't believe it, let them go down to the boat-house to see.