Sir ah., &c.
23.
and, perhaps the Emperor of Punsters, Tommy
Hood, might have observed, if the subject in
question had "suited his Book!" that its
Bank was not only rich indeed, but that no-
thing in the shape of a human beirr could
have altered its running account ; therefore,
a few drops bottled off from its '* golden
stream" would have proved quantum sun",
for our purpose ; neither have we any desire
to detract from the terrific grandeur of the
powerful and rolling Ganges; nor have we
anything to offer in the shape of opposition to
2 A
PIERCE EGAN'S BOOK OF SPORTS.
354
the delightful and picturesque situation of the
EUPHRATES ; No ! we like every thing in its
place ! and in accordance with such ideas we
most cordially join in the praises bestowed on
the NILE, given by that enterprising and in-
defatigable traveller, the late Mr. Bruce, on his
discovering the source of the above immense
and sublime waterfall ! Respecting the LEA,
we must leave the pleasure of bestowing
praises on that placid stream to the mild and
patient angler :
Where he will sit upon the rocks,
And see the Shepherd feed their flocks,
By shallow rivers, to whose falls,
Melodious birds sing madrigals.
Then for the LIFFEY, the Irishman's pride, and
the Gourmand's boast, when chuckling to
himself the delicious salmon contained within
its stream, reminds him of the song which
cries from the table
" Come, come, and eat me !"
We have strolled along the banks of the Liffey,
and have not been insensible to the delightful
scenery which surrounds it, and the interest-
ing prospects which also abound in the Emer-
ald Isle :
Ere Lifley's waters meet the tide,
They loll by many lovely bowers ;
There's one more fair than all beside,
For Kathlene's hands entwine the flowers.
You've seen the primrose in the glade,
Robed with purest dews of morning !
Others, in modesty array'd,
She blooms, her native fields adorning !
But for OLD FATHER THAMES, the delight-
ful scene of our boyhood the interesting
pleasures of our youth and the numerous
gay and happy parties which we have mixed
with in the meridian of our life, calling to
our remembrance the many pleasant hours
that we have passed upon its * silvery stream ;'
we have only to regret that we do not possess
the talents of a BYRON, to sound its praises ;
that we are also deficient in ability to describe
its surrounding scenery with the effect of a
SIR WALTER SCOTT ; and likewise that we
are incapable to do justice to its forest of
masts below Bridge those terrors to the
whole world the wooden walls of Old Eng-
land, with the accuracy and spirit of a COOPER
if such capabilities were in our power, than
the Thames, Old Father Thames, should be
our theme to the very echo ; leaving those
persons who might be enamoured ^vith the
Tiber, or attracted by the waves of i u; Hel-
lespont, to eulogise these rivers until i.iey are
tired of them. But for a Row, or a Sail to
Richmond, however travellers may boast of
the beauties connected with Italian scenery,
and painters that have been in search of pic-
turesque views in Foreign parts, extolling
them to the skies ; let us enjoy our opinion
that the rural walks contiguous, and the
aquatic view from Richmond Hill, may be
equalled, but it can never be surpassed ; and
also that a trip down the river is equally mag-
nificent and commanding in another important
point of view thus rendering OLD FATHER
THAMES the pride and envy, at all events, of
the inhabitants of the Metropolis.
True it is, that there is a TIME for every
thing in this gay aud busy metropolis ; and
few men are without their hobbies, where such
a variety of attractions claim their attention,
to fill up a leisure hour or two in a pleasant
and agreeable manner, with this difference
only, that some of those persons who are
attached to any particular sort of amusement,
ride them much harder and faster than their
neighbours. However, be that as it may, the
SPORTS ON THE RIVER THAMES are kept up
during the season, nearly with equal spirit to
those of the FIELD ; and if the Cocknies cannot
shoot flying ; leap over a five-barred gate ;
join in a steeple-chase ; or give the view-hal-
loo ! in the same spirit and style of excellence,
and want that sort of character and finish to
the thing, like those persons reared in the
country they nevertheless flatter themselves
they are not much from HOME on Old Father
Thames ; and who also view the river as a
sort of element of their own, in consequence
of their quick and easy access to it from busi-
ness. There may be some weight attached to
this position they rather pride themselves in
being competent to take a lead in a cutter,
from their frequent practice ; or to handle a
scull ; to feather an oar ; take the situation as
strokesman in an eight-oared boat ; do their
duty in the mid-ships ; and, at times, show
themselves off to advantage by acting like a
waterman at the bow. It is the ambition of
most men to excel in that sort of amusement or
sporting towards which their penchant appears
so conspicuous. But, more anon., when ROW-
ING MATCHES are the subject of discussion.
Within the last few years SAILING MATCHES
have increased in a great degree on the
Thames; and numerous Yacht Clubs have
been formed in various parts of England;
several prizes of various descriptions have
also been sailed for, exhibiting great spirit
and ability, and amongst their Commanders,
Captains, Ship's Company ; or any other
phrase the reader may think proper to adopt ;
we have been informed from some of the best
judges on the subject, that some excellent
sailors are to be found on board the Sailing-
boats, who can hand, reef, and steer, in good
seaman's style, and who would do credit to
vessels of a much larger size, and prove them-
selves not unworthy to be trusted
" On the deep, deep sea."
Although there is a great spirit of rivalry
and emulation displayed between the various
clubs to become the crack party, or boat, on
the river, yet, we are happy to a-ssert, there
is nothing else but the most gentlemanly feel-
ing manifested towards each other upoa all
occasions VICTORY being the only object in
view.
PIERCE EGAN'S BOOK OF SPORTS.
Sir Godfrey Webster, Bart, had a superb
yacht of his own ; and also Lord Harborough ;
who conducted themselves, and their crew,
when on board, strictly, in every point of view,
like nautical men : indeed, our limits will
not permit us to name the numerous persons of
rank and fashion, who are so devoted to sail-
ing, that they have splendid yachts of their
own.
The Duke of Buckingham's yacht, it is
said, carries twelve brass guns, eighteen and
twelve-pounders, and a full complement of
seamen and marines, with a chaplain, doctor,
&c. The building and fittings up of the
yacht cost upwards of 16,000. The rope-
maker's bill was 700.
The Sailing Matches are supported with
great spirit by the Royal Thames Yacht,
Clarence Yacht, and Loyal Yacht Clubs, in
the Metropolis : and if they do not produce
attraction equal to the Derby, Oaks, Ascot
Gold Cup, or the Doncaster Races, in abetting
point of view the company is numerous in
the extreme ; upon any of the above occasions
the Thames, in general, is covered with boats
and both sides of the river are thronged
with company of the most genteel description.
Indeed, it will not be denied that a Sailing
Ma'ck on the river Thames has not only a fine
effect but the scene is altogether of the most
lively description, and lots of fun and humour
are often the result.*
THE SAILING MATCH.
AIR "Here's to the Maiden."
They may talk of their Ganges, their Euphrates so
fair,
Also of the Nile and the Lea, sirs,
But can all, fc'en the Pactolus or Liffey compare
To Father Thames, called the Londoners' sea sirs !
SPOKEN.] Now, are you all ready there in the
boat ? where's Mrs. B. 1 oh, here you are, do you sit
in the middle ; Tommy and Dickey, do you sit on one
side of your mamma, \\illielmina and Augustus on
the other, like two pockets, and take that basket of
sandwiches in your lap ; also tea-kettle, but miad the
smut there, now trim the boat. Ah, I like to come
out with Aquatic, he's been a sailor. No, he has'nt.
Yes, he has. Well, if I was'nt, my father was ;
and moreover than that, he was drowned in Chelsea-
reach ; so I think I ought to know something of the
navigation of the river. I say, young man, what are
the names of the vessels that start 1 Why, Ma'am,
the Wenus, the \Virgin, the Wictoria, Will o' the-
Visp, and three others, whose names I can't properly
pronounce ; but they're all ready, and will start
when the pistol fires. Bless me, do they use pistols
in sailing matches ? Yes, ma'am, that's the prize ;
which ever vessel brings back the bullet in the short-
est time gains the day. Ah ! how do you do, Mr.
Chesterfield II say, that's Mr. Chesterfield, son to
the gentleman that wrote a book about politeness,
warniiig how to blow noses, and leave go of button-
holes. Is it indeed 1 I'll speak to him ; how does
your venerable father do, sir ? How 1 why, the old
bujf'er is as stijf as pitch. Ah, neighbour Henpeck,
how is it you are out to-day, this is the first day I
ever saw you take pleasure, how is this 1 How 1 Mrs.
H. is buried to-day. Hollo ! there goes the Don
Giovanni, how she outs along there they go now
mind, Mrs. B.r all right, look out now down with
your oars, gentlemen, and all keep time by your
But it appears that the inhabitants of Lonr
don have long been familiar to the amusement
of sailing matches on the Thames : upon look-
ing over the "Town and County Magazine/'
for June, 1776, exactly fifty-six years since,
we find the following account of a match,
conducted with the same sort of spirit as at
watches Mrs. B. put the rodder a little to the other
side. Off we go.
As the wind blows, so the boat rows,
And still with more vigour each waterman glows.
The boats are skimming, their white pouting sails,
Like swains cleaving through the blue sky, sirs,
Petitions are sent up for favoring gales,
As onward the vessels quick fly, sirs.
SPOKEN.] There they go! Oh, how beautiful I
how majestic. B. my dear, which do you think will
win ? Why, she that gets in first. How far have
they to go, Aquatic ? Why, right up the river through
Battersea arches, and back again against wind and tide,
until they anchor safe at Cumberland-gardens. Now,
that's why I like to come out with Aquatic, he knows
every thing. Sir, why is that place called the Red
House 1 VV hy , because it's brown . I should not think
anything could go quicker than that ere wessel, my love !
Don't under-rate the velocity of your own tongue, my
dear. Oh dear ! see if that little boy has nt fallen
through by the bridge, and there he's hanging. Oh
dear ! oh ! oh I 1 say, my young one, did you see the
vessels start 7 Yes. Well, wait there, and you'll
se'em come back again. Now they go ; look at them ;
they're in, they're in, the Wictoria ! the Wictoria!
Now, he's going, to have his cup. What cup, Mr.
Aquatic? Why, don't you know all this sailing is
for a little cup, which is filled with a gallon of brandy
punch, and given to the conqueror, who is expected to
drink it all. What all? Every drop, and eat the
lemon of it. Bless me, what an undertaking ! Ah i
but that isn't half, he must keep sober afterwards.
As the wind blows, &c.
Contention has ceased, and, resigned up to glee,
Each party floats down with the tide, sir ;
They take out their dinners and prepare for the tea,
With ham sandwiches, and sour meat beside, sir.
SPOKEN.] Well now, we'll lay upon our oars a
little while," and take a rest. Sir, I don't know what
you mean by them ere nawtical express-ions, but when
you come out with ladies, you might be a little more
discriminate. Oh, there's no harm to lay upon our
oars, it means to give up to the direction of Neptune
and Heolus. Really, I don't thick we ought to give
it up to anybody except the people we hired it of, and
their names is Sullivan. Air. Dulcet, might we beg
the favour of your services of the flute ? 1 am, sure,
ma'am, I shall be very happy, but you see as we
begin to row again, 1 can't pull and blow too. Here,
stop, first fill me this tea-kettle with water. I'll do
that ; oh, bless me, it has fallen to the bottom. I did
not tell you to do that No, but you told me to fill it
with water, and I dare say it is. Well, sir, I don't
wan't to say any thing, only, don't talk to me any
more on the voyage ; now, where's the sugar 1 oh, I
have it in my coat-pocket. Have you? then your
coat-pocket has been in the water this half-hour. Sir,
you are very obnoxious, very obnoxious indeed ; I
don't like it, and mind youdon't speak tome anymore
during the voyage. Well, I won't. Don't. I won't.
Don't, I say. Now, Mr. Dulcet, will you blow ?
With all my wind, ma'am. (Plays the fate.) Beau-
tiful ! well new, this is pleasant ; though I wish we
had some tea. Don't you, Aquatic ? why, where's
Aquatic? Mr. A. where can he be gone to? frieud
A. where are you? My love A. where can he have
get to ? Well, if I must speak, Mr. A. fell overboard
some time time since ; but as he desired me to take
no notice of it during the voyage, I held my tongue.
As the wind Wows, &c .
2 A '2
356
PIERCE EGAN'S BOOK OF SPORTS.
the present day, and under the immediate
patronage of Royalty : " On the 17th of June
the sailing boats started from Blackfriars*
Bridge, for the Cup given by his Royal High-
ness the Duke of Cumberland, value 20.,
when, after going through an arch of Fulham
bridge, they returned, and the King's Fisher
(the property of Messrs. Taylor, Prince, and
"White) being the first through the centre arch
of Blackfriars' Bridge was adjudged the win-
ner, upon which his Royal Highness took the
Cup (filled with claret) and wished him joy.
Ten boats were entered, and the first five came
all within a minute alike. The Sea-horse was
the second. Commodore Smith, the proprietor
of the several boats, and the other members of
the Cumberland Sailing Club, afterwards
dined at Smith's Tea Gardens, where the
Duke's health was drank out of the Prize
Cup by all present."
The late Mr. Astley, of the Royal Amphi-
theatre, but Young Astley, as he was gene-
rally termed, was not only very much attached
to sailing, but, we believe he won one or two
prize Silver Cups and Covers, given by the
proprietors of Vauxhall Gardens, with his boat
called the Mercury.
The DON GIOVANNI at one period, we well
remember, proved a great Don on the river,
and won two Silver Cups ; but we regret to
state that some envious persons, or rather,
ill-disposed folks, thinking that Mr. Devey,
the spirited proprietor of the Don, might have
a 'Cup too much,' without any thing like
'sailing orders,' in an unguarded moment
captured (as they vf ere foul pirates) the above
prizes : a/air start was out of the question
indeed, they did not give him half a chance
to recover these pleasing remembrances to him
of his acknowledged capabilities of a naval
tactician ; and also the rewards for his exer-
tions during the time he was Captain of the
above cracfc sailing boat.
In order to show the Readers of the BOOK
OP SPORTS, not only the extensive patronage
given by persons of the first consequence and
character to Sailing Matches and Regattas,
all over the Kingdom; but we have intro-
duced the following sketches for their inform,
ation, and we also hope that we may add,
a-iusement.
KING UEORGE IV.'s CORONATION FLEET.
The day appointed for the Sailing Match
("Wednesday, July 21, 1829) between the
under-mentioned gentlemen's pleasure ves-
sels, for a magnificent Silver Cup and
Cover, given by the Coronation Fleet, in
commemoration of his Majesty's Coronation,
and birth-day, the river, for some time
previous to the starting of the vessels, was
crowded with boats of every denomination,
the majority of which contained spectators
the greatest opulence and respectability;
d never do we recollect to have seen, since
he grand public breakfast given off W hitehalJ,
-;v tbe Duke of Clarence, so numerous an
assemblage of elegantly attired ladies ch tL
Thames as on this occasion ; indeed, the cou
d'ceil was beyond description. The following
boats had been entered, but only the first six
sailed for the prize :
No. Names. Owners.
1 Clarence W. J. Sawyer .
2 Daphne J. Nelson
3 Ariel J. Unwin, Jun.
4 Donna del LagoH. Thornton
5 Leander W . Cottingham
6 Rowena T. Groves
7 Rose in June. J. Sheffield
8 John and Anne.J. Watson
9 Prince George
of Cumberland C. C. Haiselden
Belonging to Tons
Hammersmith. .7
Lambeth 7
Battersea 6
Deptford
.Battersea
Lambeth
.Arundel Stairs
Ipswich 8
.Elackwall 4
There was no restriction as to the owners
steering their vessels, and, consequently, some
of the most experienced men at the helm were
appointed to that important station. In con-
sequence of the indispostion of E. Nettleford,
Esq., the Commodore, who caught a severe
cold a few days since, while engaged on the
river during several heavy showers, in the
service of the Fleet, H. C. Templeton, Esq.,
Honorary Secretary, officiated as Deputy ;
and, at the hour appointed, the latter gentle-
man was pulled up to Waterloo Bridge, ac-
companied by three of the Directors in a four-
oared boat, by the Engineer, and three of the
Palladium Fire-office men, Mr. Roberts, of
Lambeth, taking the lines. About five o'clock
the six first vessels on the list took their re-
spective stations at the bridge, to sail from
thence to a boat moored off the Powder-
house, Putney Meadows, and back through
the centre arch of Vauxhall Bridge. In
about a quarter of an hour the Deputy-Com-
modore gave the signal for starting, when the
Rowena, with the celebrated Samuel Johnson
at her helm, was instantly in trim, and led the
way. The other five were almost equally
expert in getting under weigh, and the whole
proceeded up the river with rather a stiff
breeze from W.S.W., the whole flotilla of
boats preceding them in grand array. On
passing through Vauxhall the Rowena was a
board and a half a-head of the Donna del
Lago, which was second boat. The Clarence
went through the bridge third, followed by
the little Daphne, Ariel, and Leander. At
this period it was fully expected that the
Donna, who bore the sails of the Don Giovanni,
would ultimately take the lead, and that
Nelson's boat would overreach some of the
headmost vessels. From the running qualities
of the Clarence, much was expected from her
coming down ; and, indeed, great alterations
were expected to have taken place in the po-
sitions of the boats. Notwithstanding the
tacking and manoeuvring, which, with one or
two exceptions, were excellent, no change took
place of consequence the whole way up, much
to the regret of many ; and the Rowena rounded
the boat in the Meadows, three and a-half
minutes before the Lady, who was followed
by the Clarence, the others going round at a
respectful distance, but shortly after each
PIERCE EGAN'S BOOK OF SPORTS.
357
other. On coming down, the Rowena main-
tained her advantage, which, in a great mea-
sure, is to be attributed to the manner in
which she was handled at the helm, and it
was thought that they would arrive at Vaux-
hall in the same manner as they went up ; for
it was not till they neared the Red House that
any thing like a change took place, when the
Clarence, in running before a stiffish breeze,
went past the Donna del Lago, and became
second boat. This certainly put many in rap-
tures ; with others, however, it had a contrary
effect, as the Lady of the Lake was, previous
to starting, booked in several instances to
win. The Rowena was never headed through-
out the match ; and it was only when her crew
were shifting jibs that the Donna del Lago in
any manner drew on her. They passed through
the centre arch of Vauxhall Bridge amidst the
cheeers of a vast assemblage, as follows :
Rowena first, Clarence second, Donna del
Lago third, Daphne fourth, Ariel fifth, and
the Leander sixth ; the Rowena winning by
three minutes and fifteen seconds. After the
match the majority of the owners proceeded
to their residences, and, having put themselves
into trim, repaired to the Royal Gardens,
Vauxhall, accompanied by their respective
friends, where the magnificent Prize, which
weighs upwards of fifty ounces, was presented
by Mr. Williams to the successful winner
(Mr. Groves) in the presence of as numerous
an assemblage as ever congregated in this
delightful place of fashionable resort.
THAMES YACHT CLUB.
river at Greenwich presented a very
and interesting appearance, on Saturday,
in June, 1828, to witness the starting for the
Thames Yacht Club Cup. Never were so
many yachts assembled : the Zephyr, Betsy,
Donna del Lago, Ariel, Isabel, Pearl, Fairy,
Twin, &c., were all under weigh, to accom-
pany the wager vessels ; and the Echo Go-
vernment steamer was decorated in her gayest
colours, to do honor to the occasion. Soon
after nine o'clock the following yachts took
their stations : Mr. J. Irving's Daisy, 14
tons ; Mr. T. Smith's Lady Louisa, 14 tons ;
Mr. W. H. Harrison's Will-o'-the-Wisp, 10
tons ; Mr. R. Hope's Success, 14 tons ; Mr.
Bank's Atalauta, 14 tons; Mr. E. Codd's
Sylph, 14 tons ; Mr. Wingfield's Mermaid,
7 tons ; and soon afterwards the Royal Sove-
reign arrived from the Tower, having on
board the Commodore and a numerous party.
At ten o'clock the gun for getting ready was
fired, and every man took his particular sta-
tion, so that, upon the starting gun being
fired, every sail was set with astonishing
rapidity. The Success was rather the quick-
est, but all were properly under weigh in less
than one minute. The Daisy, having the
weather start, took the lead, followed closely
by the Lady Louisa; but, at the top of Wool-
wich Reach, the Will-o'-the-Wisp ran up to
them both, and in jibing upon the Lady,
carried away her gaff, which considerably
lessened the interest of the match, there being
several bets that she would round the boat at
Gravesend first. The Lady continued second
till just as she arrived at the flag-boat, when
the Sylph passed her. Here commenced the
beauty of the match, there being a fresh
breeze at W.N.W., and three hours ebb to
run. A finely contested race it was : the
Daisy never was headed, although twice very
near it ; in fact, it was impossible to tell, just
below Purfleet, when on different tacks,
which would go to windward, she or the
Lady. The Sylph, after being beaten by the
Lady, had a fresh competitor in the Success ;
but, after contending every inch of ground
most skilfully, was obliged to be contented
by coming in fourth. The Atalanta was
beaten by the little Mermaid, but both were
completely distanced. So good a day's sport
has seldom been seen, and upon the arrival of
the Daisy, as the winner, at Greenwich, to
which place she belongs, the cheers of her
friends were most uproarious. Dancing was
kept up on board the Royal Sovereign to a
late hour, and every body seemed delighted
with the general arrangements.
WILL o' THE WISP AND SUCCESS.
The Match between Mr. Hope's Success,
16 tons, and Mr. Harrison's Will-o'-the-Wisp,
16 tons, for 50 sovereigns was decided on
Saturday, in June, 1828. They started from
Greenwich precisely at eleven o'clock, with
a light breeze, N.N.W., the Success taking
the lead ; but, in turning through Blackvvall
Reach, the Will headed her, and main-
tained it to Erith Reach, when the breezes
became partial, and the Success being the
more fortunate, she was again a-head, and
had increased her distance at Greenhithe
to at least a quarter of a mile. The wind
here freshened, and became more steady ;
and in going round the Flag Vessel at
Gravesend, they were both together, but
the Will by some means got to windward
There was still an hour's ebb to run, and both
hammered away over the tide with alternate
advantage ; so equal were they, that, under
Broadness-point, it was thought the Success
would have won ; but directly the tide eased,
away went the Will-o'-the-Wisp, without
giving her a chance, till she eventually won
by thirteen minutes. It was the opinion of
every body present, that a better match was
never seen ; and the odds at one time looked
very queer. When it is recollected how good
a place the Success held for the T. Y. C. Cup,
this match proves the " WILL " to be a very
fast vessel of her class.
PETER BOAT SAILING MATCH.
In July, 1829, a Sailing Match took place
at Hammersmith, between twenty-four work-