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. * * * * * 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.) * * * * * 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 * * * * * 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