IT is to be hoped that the action of the Henley Stewards with reference to American entries in England will have no serious effect upon the Watkins Glen Regatta. The difficulty all arises from the definition, or rather want of definition, of the word "Amateur." None of the authorities agree in the matter, and it would seem advisable to arrive at some distinct international understanding on the point. Bell's Life says that some clubs include artisans and mechanics in their definition, while others do not, and therefore every one must decide for himself. The real trouble is, not in the definition of the word "Amateur," but in that of "Gentleman," many persons contending that gentlemen by birth alone are amateurs. In a democratic country like America, every man, no matter what his birth or station, is entitled to be considered a gentleman until he proves himself otherwise, and therefore is classed as amateur until he enters the professional ranks. That it would be a bitter pill for an English crew, composed possibly of English blue blood, to be defeated by a crew of horny-fisted American carpenters, every one must see; still, as the English sporting motto is supposed to be "Let the best man win," it would seem that our transatlantic cousins might suppress their aristocratic pride in the interest of "fair play," of which we hear so much, but see so little.
Yale. - Kennedy of Yale will not go to Watkins, either as a sculler or with a crew, owing to business matters. His absence will be regretted by all who are interested in rowing, as he is probably the finest amateur sculler in the country, and in event of winning at Watkins, would ably represent both America and his college at Henley, and give the English scullers all they could do to get away from him.
ATHLETICS.IT is comforting, in these trying times of Lawn Tennis and utter indifference to all things athletic, to see that there are still a few men in college who have the energy and courage to train for and enter in athletic sports outside the college. The action of Mr. Simmons, '80, in entering and starting in the mile-race at the Y. M. C. A. sports held in the Music Hall, as a representative of this college, is worthy of all praise and imitation. Messrs. Cushing, '78, and Benham, '81, entered in the fencing contest, which Mr. Benham won. It is to be hoped sincerely that many will follow these good examples, and not hide their light under a bushel.
Athletic Association of American Colleges. - This meeting will be held at Mott Haven, New York, on May 18, and we suggest to the Harvard Association that, as it is now very rich, and we never have been properly represented at these sports, it take some decided steps in the matter. Let it hold a meeting on Holmes Field (where a very good fifth-mile track can be made) on May 15; let the winners of the mile-run, mile-walk, quarter-mile, half-mile, hurdles, and 100-yards be sent to Mott Haven on condition of their beating a certain time, and let the Association pay their expenses, - a thing it is well able to do. We suggest as good trial times: mile-run, 4 min. 55 sec.; mile-walk, 7 min. 48 sec.; half-mile, 2 min. 9 sec.; quarter-mile, 55 sec.; hurdles, 19 sec.; 100-yards, 10 3/4 sec. There is no reason why these times should not be made with three weeks' hard work, and we hope the Association will seriously consider the matter.
Oxford-Cambridge Athletic Sports, London, April 12. - 100-yards, E. C. Trepplin, Oxford, 10 1/5 sec.; high jump, G. B. Blathwayt, Cambridge (5 ft. 8 in.); 120-yards hurdles, S. Palmer, Cambridge, 16 2/5 sec.; quarter-mile, W. H. Churchill, Cambridge, 51 4/5 sec.; one-mile run, D. L. Clarke, Oxford, 4 min. 31 2/5 sec.; wide jump, C. M. Kemp, Oxford (22 ft. 2 3/4 in.); three-mile run, A. Goodwin, Oxford, 15 min. 51 sec.
Cambridge University Athletic Sports. - These sports were concluded March 31, and, in spite of rain and heavy wind, the time made in the "hundred" and "hurdles" was remarkably fast, while the distance covered in the long jump was most extraordinary, the trial-jumps being the five longest consecutive jumps on record, and in individual length very near the best. 100 yards, G. H. Dodd (Caius), 10 2/5 sec.; 880 yards, W. W. Bolton (Caius), 2 min. 4 sec.; 120-yards hurdles, S. Palmer (Corpus), 16 2/5 sec.; 120-yards handicap, J. P. Muspratt (Trinity Hall), (11-yards' start), 12 sec.; wide jump, E. Baddeley (Jesus), 22 ft. 4 1/2 in. His jumps were: 21 ft. 7 in.; 22 ft. 1/2 in., 21 ft. 11 in, 22 ft. 4 1/2 in. Three other men jumped over 20 feet. Three-mile race, H. J. L. Evans (Trinity), 16 min. 12 3/5 sec.; 300-yards consolation, G. B. Hofmeister (Caius), 33 8/5 sec.
London Athletic Club, 2d Spring Meeting, March 30. - Races run in rain, wind, and snow. Ten-mile challenge cup, J. Gibb (holder), 55 min. 34 sec.; 100-yards handicap, C. Y. Bedford (5 1/2 yards), 10 sec.; 220-yards handicap, C. C. Clark (8 yards), 22 8/5 sec.; 120-yards hurdles, H. Allan (penalized 11 yards), 18 3/5 sec.; 300-yards handicap, C. C. Clark (15 yards), 32 4/5 sec.; 600-yards handicap, F. B. Montague (25 yards), 1 min. 15 1/5 sec.; four-mile steeplechase handicap, G. Mawby (scratch), 25 min. 35 sec.; 1,000-yards handicap, N. Turner (52 yards), 2 min. 23 3/5 sec.
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