Page:Boating - Woodgate - 1888.pdf/241

 only against scratch crews, and Oxford or Cambridge colleges. Tn 1858 a match, which was thought a grand event at the time, was rowed on the Henley course against Radley and won by Eton. In 1860, 1861, 1862, and 1864 the Westminster race was revived and was rowed from Putney Bridge ta Chiswick Eyot, and Eton was so easily the winner that it has not been thought worth while to continue this match.

In 1860 Mr. Warre came to Eton as an assistant master, and at the request of the captain of the boats assisted him to arrange the Westminster race, and engaged to coach the eight. It was with his assistance that Dr. Goodford was persuaded to allow the cight to go to Henley Regatta in 1865, and the tacit understanding was made that if the authorities would allow this, and also the boating bill by which two long boats might escape six o'clock absence and have time to row to Cliefden, the boats would give up Oppidan dinner and Check nights. Mr. Warre, with the greatest kindness and with unremitting zeal and energy, first coached the cight for the Westminster races, and then continued coaching for the Henley Regatta evening after evening during their training every year for twenty-four years, until he was appointed headmaster, The Rev, S. A. Donaldson has since undertaken the coaching. University men at first distiked the appearance of Eton at Henley. Old oarsmen thought it would ruin the regatta, as men would hate to be beaten by boys. Masters predicted that the coaching by a master would spoil the boys, but time has dis- sipated these objections, and the Regatta has flourished better than ever. ‘

Tt will be seen that Eton has on several occasions beaten trained college and other crews without winning the plate, and we may fairly say that her place on the river is about equal to that of the best colleges. After all, the boys are boys of seventeen and eighteen, and if they are not as strong: or heavy as mena year or two older, they have the advantage of practically always being in training, are easily got together, and are living a regular and active life.