Amateur Rowing

Transcript

MR. C. A. GLADSTONE, the well-known Assistant Master at Eton College, told a very good story at the annual supper of the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club on Monday evening.  He said a short time ago a foreigner visited him on the rafts at Eton.  To this man rowing seemed quite absurd, and he remarked, “Why, they even row backwards; they cannot even see the view.”  He thereupon told the foreigner he probably did not know that rowing was invented at Eton in prehistoric times and that they started rowing backwards because they found they obtained such a magnificent view of Windsor Castle as they went up-stream.  This story served as a tag on which Mr. Gladstone was able to hang a discourse on the value of rowing as a recreation.  It needed more grit and courage than any other form of sport.  If ever he were sent to the South Pole, he would like rowing men with him, for he was quite sure if he collapsed they would carry him further than anyone else would be able to do.  It was interesting to hear a representative of Eton College Rowing speak well of the scheme of the Excelsior Club to erect a new boat-house on Deadwater Ait, and to have his assurance that it was the wish of the College that the Club should succeed in doing so.  It was announced that a sum of £500 had been subscribed or promised towards the fund, but it is very necessary that more money should be forthcoming before the scheme can be put in hand.

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