Related article: »t 471 crews are in hard practice for the Royal meeting, of which we shall talk fully next month. One thing is pretty certain, the entries thereat will be more numerous than ever before. So far, so good. From a racing point of view, it is eminently satisfactory to realise that, at last, a clear course will be assured for the competing crews at Henley. The stewards have resolved to boom the famous reach from end to end, thus preventing any possible encroachment of pleasure craft. This may injure the Royal regatta from a Order Escitalopram social point of view — as the rule preventing the re-letting of houseboats, &c, certainly will — but that matters little. After all, Henley regatta was inaugurated as a racing function ; its social side is only an incident of the meeting. By the way, an ardent patron of this Olympian festival has been lost b}' the recent death of Mr. Tom Nickalls, after whom the " Gob- lets " trophy is named. He will be sadly missed, and we fear that his death will also prevent his son Guy from doing battle again — as he fully intended. However, compensation is afforded in a measure by the fact that such fine scullers as Messrs. Howell (amateur champion), Blackstaffe, Goldie, &c, are all prepared to defend the honour of the Old Country on the river. After recent events, Ichabod must indeed be spoken of English professional sculling, but amateur scullers of note were never so plentiful before. The race for the '* Diamonds" this year should (like Venice) be something to see and die ! Sailing and Punting — these corollaries of rowing, as they have been called — are already in full swing. Messrs. Watney and Ricardo's Tiger Cat seems to emulate Tennyson's brook in going on "for ever." Anyway, she already boasts a rare sequence of victories, and that despite the advent of many new craft. Punt- ing devotees are to have a recruit in C. D. Burnel!, the Oxford 44 Blue," and the prospects of a capital season are unco 9 rosy. It would be idle to pretend pro- fundity on either of these pastimes or canoeing at this early stage, however, as until after Henley — we repeat this with Catonian emphasis — nothing of importance will be done. Our readers may depend upon comment and authoritative news in due course. Socially, the river season promises to be a record one. Thus early riparian residences are at a premium ; launches, houseboats, &c, are in great demand ; whilst retreats on the Thames are sought for far and near. Slowly but surely English people are finding out that sur- cease from the worries of life can be found elsewhere than abroad or at the seaside. On various favoured reaches of " Ye Silverie Temes" that old-time peaceful calm—spoken of by Montgomery — is still to be found. What is more, if (as freely reported) the Queen means to make a lengthened sojourn at Windsor Castle this year, a glorious river season is assured. So mote it be! Next month (as usual) we shall critic- ally discuss the prospects of rowing generally, and that at Henley in particular. Henceforth, all will be plain sailing, month by month, throughout the season. Sport at the Universities.— There is not much to be told of actual fray this month. Practice and preparation has ruled the roost since our last, and the « survival of the fittest" is hardly yet attained in the case of many teams, &c. As far as cricket is 472 BAILY S MAGAZINE. D«5* concerned, 1898 history repeated itself this year — batsmen plenty, bowlers few. Without going un- duly into details, we may say that very few " Freshmen " will be seen in either representative eleven. Save H. C. Pilkington (Eton), B. Knox (Dulwich), and F. H. Humphrys (Shrewsbury) no other Oxonian appears likely to gain his colours this season. At Cambridge, S. H. Day (Mal- vern), E. R. Wilson (Rugby) and P. R. Johnston (Eton) may yet find places, albeit (as at Oxford) too many capable " Seniors " abound. Of these, Messrs. L. P. Collins, R. H. de Montmorency, H. Martyn, F. H. K. Dashwood, A. M. Hollins (Oxford) and L. J. Moon, A. M. Sullivan, E. F. Fenn, A. H. Hornby (Cam- bridge) stand by far the best chance of inclusion. Happily, the Cantab wicket - keeper of 1898 (T. L. Taylor) still remains, whilst in H. Martyn Oxford has secured a capable successor to R. W. Fox. Altogether, both teams should prove very for- midable in batting, fairly sound in bowling, and particularly smart in fielding and at the wicket. Ere the current issue of Baily they will be fairly before the public, so we will leave matters at that. Rowing men have been ex- tremely busy as usual ; the Sum- mer Eights, University Pairs, &c, having exercised the minds and muscles of most. As we an- ticipated, the Cambridge Uni- versity Pairs were again won by ex-Presidents Dudley- Ward and R. B. Etherington-Smith, whilst the last-named, with R. H. San- derson (First Trinity) just as easily accounted for the Lowe Double Sculls. The Oxford Summer Eights are being de- cided as we write, hence com- ment must come in next month. Let it suffice, for the nonce, to say that the crews are fairly average on the whole, and that Oxford should be well and truly represented at Henley later on. The " Mays " at Cambridge will paradoxically be held on June 7th and following days, when a sensational fight for " Head of the River," position is expected between First Trinity (holders) and Third Trinity. After close observation, we shall pin our faith on " First " to maintain her coveted position. Other crews likely to do doughty deeds are Lady Margaret (St. John's), Caius, Pembroke, Emmanuel II., Christ's (First Division) and Clare, Peterhouse, Pembroke II., Magdalen and Queen's (Second Division). The Can tabs will also appear in great strength at the Royal meeting — a United Trinity crew will give battle for the first time for many a long year, and should give a right good account of themselves. To universal satisfaction,