Chapter II: Preface

A few lines only are necessary to explain the object with which these volumes are put forth. There is no modern encyclopaedia to which the inexperienced man, who seeks guidance in the practice of the various British Sports and Pastimes, can turn for information. Some books there are on Hunting, some on Racing, some on Lawn Tennis, some on Fishing, and so on; but one Library, or succession of volumes, which treats of the Sports and Pastimes indulged in by Englishmen--and women--is wanting. The Badminton Library is offered to supply the want. Of the imperfections which must be found in the execution of such a design we are conscious. Experts often differ. But this we may say, that those who are seeking for knowledge on any of the subjects dealt with will find the results of many years' experience written by men who are in every case adepts at the Sport or Pastime of which they write. It is to point the way to success to those who are ignorant of the sciences they aspire to master, and who have no friend to help or coach them, that these volumes are written.

To those who have worked hard to place simply and clearly before the reader that which he will find within, the best thanks of the Editor are due. That it has been no slight labour to supervise all that has been written he must acknowledge; but it has been a labour of love, and very much lightened by the courtesy of the Publisher, by the unflinching, indefatigable assistance of the Sub-Editor, and by the intelligent and able arrangement of each subject by the various writers, who are so thoroughly masters of the subjects of which they treat. The reward we all hope to reap is that our work may prove useful to this and future generations.

THE EDITOR.

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The author desires to record his thanks and indebtedness to the following gentlemen, for much kind co-operation and assistance, and for leave to reproduce passages from their valuable works upon aquatics:--Geo. G. T. TREHERNE, Esq., author of 'Record of the University Boat Race'; E. D. BRICKWOOD, Esq. ('Argonaut'), author of 'Boat Racing'; L. P. BRICKWOOD, Esq., Editor of the 'Racing Almanack'; the Proprietors of the 'Field'; the Proprietors of 'Land and Water,' and Mr. R. G. Gridley for kindly assisting with the Map of the Cambridge Course.

_ILLUSTRATIONS._

(ENGRAVED BY W. J. PALMER, J. D. COOPER, AND G. PEARSON, AFTER DRAWINGS BY F. DADD AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY G. MITCHELL, HILLS & SAUNDERS, AND MARSH BROS.)

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FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS.

ARTIST

GENERAL VIEW OF THE HENLEY } _From a photograph_ _Frontispiece_
REGATTA }

METHOD OF STARTING THE }
COLLEGE EIGHTS PRIOR TO } _Frank Dadd_ _To face p._ 28
1825, OXFORD }

STARTING THE EIGHTS, OLD } _Frank Dadd_ " 40
COURSE, HENLEY }

COACHING UNIVERSITY CREW _Frank Dadd_ " 68

EMBARKING _Frank Dadd_ " 84

PAIR OARS--IMMINENT FOUL _Frank Dadd_ " 124

BUMPING RACE WAITING FOR } _From a photograph_ " 170
THE GUN }

OFF THE BROCAS _Frank Dadd_ " 202

THAMES WATERMEN AND } _Frank Dadd_ " 218
WHERRIES }

CLIEFDEN (RIVER SCENE) _From a photograph_ " 242

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WOODCUTS IN TEXT.

ARTIST PAGE

VIGNETTE ON TITLE-PAGE _Frank Dadd_

FLEET OF EGYPTIAN QUEEN _From a photograph_ 11

ANCIENT BOAT DEPICTED ON VASE _Frank Dadd_ 15

BAS-RELIEF OF ANCIENT GREEK ROWING _Frank Dadd_ 19
BOAT

ANCIENT GALLEY FIGHT, FROM POMPEII _Frank Dadd_ 21

HENLEY COURSE (BETWEEN RACES) _From a photograph_ 26

OXFORD BOAT IN 1829 } _From 'Record of the_ { 31
BUMPING RACES (OLD STYLE) } _University Boatrace'_ { 33

A COLLEGE PAIR _From a photograph_ 37

TOWING GUARD BOATS UP HENLEY REACH _From a photograph_ 39

PAIR-OAR _From a photograph_ 41

GONDOLA _From a photograph_ 43

BISHAM COURT _From a photograph_ 53

MARLOW _From a photograph_ 66

A SCRATCH EIGHT ('PEAL OF BELLS') _From a photograph_ 75

MEDMENHAM ABBEY _From a photograph_ 79

'PROSE' _Frank Dadd_ 83

BISHAM COURT REACH _From a photograph_ 92

FEATHER 'UNDER' THE WATER _From a photograph_ 102

PRACTISING STROKE (1) _From a photograph_ 110

PRACTISING STROKE (2) _From a photograph_ 110

PRACTISING STROKE (3) _From a photograph_ 111

PRACTISING STROKE (4) _From a photograph_ 111

A COLLEGE FOUR _From a photograph_ 118

FOUR-OAR _From a photograph_ 121

NEAR MEDMENHAM _From a photograph_ 123

CLOSE QUARTERS _Frank Dadd_ 127

A SPILL _Frank Dadd_ 133

SCULLING RACE, WITH PILOTS IN _Frank Dadd_ 139
EIGHT-OARS

PUMPED OUT _Frank Dadd_ 141

THE LAST OF THE THAMES WHERRIES _From a photograph_ 142

'POETRY' _Frank Dadd_ 153

GOING TO SCALE _Frank Dadd_ 157

SMOKING IS FORBIDDEN _Frank Dadd_ 165

'RUN A MILE OR TWO' _Frank Dadd_ 167

FOUR-OAR _From a photograph_ 178

EARLY AMATEURS _Frank Dadd_ 192

WINDSOR _From a photograph_ 200

A FOUL _Frank Dadd_ 238

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MAPS

SHOWING

THE OXFORD COURSE _To face p._ 288

" CAMBRIDGE " " 296

" HENLEY " " 318

" PUTNEY " " 322

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. INTRODUCTION 1

II. THE RISE OF MODERN OARSMANSHIP 26

III. SCIENTIFIC OARSMANSHIP 53

IV. COACHING 66

V. THE CAPTAIN 79

VI. THE COXSWAIN AND STEERING 92

VII. SLIDING SEATS 102

VIII. FOUR-OARS 118

IX. PAIR-OARS 123

X. SCULLING 127

XI. BOAT-BUILDING AND DIMENSIONS 142

XII. TRAINING 153

XIII. ROWING CLUBS 178

XIV. THE AMATEUR, HIS HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION 192

XV. ROWING AT ETON COLLEGE 200

XVI. WATERMEN AND PROFESSIONALS 217

XVII. LAWS OF BOAT-RACING (THEIR HISTORY, AND RULES OF THE ROAD) 238

'THE TEMPLE OF FAME' 243

APPENDIX 313

INDEX 331

_Erratum._

Page 119, line 19, _for_ Bodleian _read_ Radleian.