In the following decade there seem to have been plenty of aquatics current. The 'Bell's Life' files of those days teem with aquatic notes. One day we read (dated May 26, 1834) a self-exculpatory letter from Dr. Williamson, head-master of Westminster School, explaining why he did not approve of his scholars rowing a match against Eton, and complaining of the 'intemperance and excesses which such matches lead to.' On July 3, says 'Bell' of July 6 in that year, a match was rowed between a randan (Campbell, Moulton, and Godfrey) and a four-oar (Harris, Eld, Butcher, and Dodd, Cole cox.)--from Putney to Westminster. The randan were favourites, and led; but Moulton fainted, and the four won. The race was for a purse of 70_l._--50_l._ for winners and 20_l._ for losers. In the same paper, Williams challenges Campbell to a match--apparently for the incipient title of Champion of the Thames. Williams wishes Campbell to stake 40_l._ to 30_l._, because he is six years the younger. Compare the modesty of these stakes with those for which modern champion, and some less important matches, are rowed! [Illustration: METHOD OF STARTING THE COLLEGE EIGHTS PRIOR TO 1825--OXFORD.] 'Lyons House' seems to have been a sort of resort for amateurs. Cole, who steered the waterman's four (_supra_) _v._ the randan, is described as the waterman of those rooms. On July 8, same year, a Mr. Kemp, of the 3rd Dragoon Guards, matches himself for a large stake to 'row his own boat' from Hampton Court to Westminster and back in nine hours. Time is favourite, but Mr. Kemp wins by 27 minutes, having met the tide for several miles of his voyage. Such are a few samples of the current style of aquatic sports between 1830 and 1840.