Page:The history of yachting.djvu/387

Rh Water Club is not distinctly specified, but we find in Rule 9, 'that no long-tailed wigs, large sleeves, or ruffles, be worn by any member at the club.' From this we would infer that some distinguishing dress or uniform must have been conformed to, which was probably unpopular, as according to a manuscript note in the original copy, the prohibition against the wigs, sleeves, and ruffles was withdrawn. Rule 14, will no doubt cause every yachtsman to exclaim, 'what on land or sea could these most ancient mariners have chosen as a topic for conversation?' The rule runs thus: 'That such members of the club, or others, as shall talk of sailing after dinner, be fined a bumper!' We find that the list of members in 1720 consisted of Lord Inchiquin, the Hon. James O'Bryen, Charles O'Neal, Henry Mitchell, Richard Bullen, chaplain, and John Rodgers. It stands to reason, however, that there must have been a larger number of members than those specified in that year, and we are led to think, that as Rule No. 7 specifies, 'that six members make a full club,' these six gentlemen having been more active than others in the management of the club, their names were thus put prominently forward and they may have been considered in the same light as, what in our modern clubs we term, the committee. We have no positive mention made as to the names of those who first filled the offices of admiral and vice-admiral of the Water Club, but we are led to think that the Earl of Inchiquin, before mentioned, having obtained the flag for the club, was the first flag