[Illustration: 'Corsair' and 'Talisman' race round Eddystone, August 1842, 'Corsair' winning.] There was talk of a race between the Marquis of Anglesey's 'Pearl' and Mr. J. Weld's 'Alarm' for a thousand guineas, but it never came off; in fact, the Marquis never raced her from the time 'Pearl' was built in 1821 to the year of his death, 1854. The 'Mosquito,' with Captain John Nichols at the tiller, once came out on his weather, and the Marquis very politely dipped his ensign to the yacht that weathered him for the first time in all his years of cruising. The 'Arrow' and 'Mosquito' once finished a fine race, which was a marvellously close thing between them, 'Arrow,' 6 hrs. 59 mins. 30 secs., 'Mosquito,' 6 hrs. 59 mins. 31 secs.! [Illustration: 'Talisman,' 84 tons, and 'Corsair,' 80 tons, race, 1842.] A very good account is handed to us of how yachtsmen more than half a century since--in 1830--enjoyed a real rough day's sailing on the Thames. A cup had been subscribed for of the value of fifty guineas, and all the cracks of the day entered for it:-- tons Matchless 19 Vixen 19 Lady Louisa 13 Fairy 13 Daisy 19 Venus 13 Rob Roy 16 Brilliant 8 Donna del Lago 9 Ariel 8 [Illustration: Lines and midship section of 'Corsair,' built by M. Ratsey, Cowes, 1832. Length for tonnage, 57 ft. 9 in.; breadth, 18 ft. 6 in.; tonnage, 84-84/94.] [Illustration: 'Yseult' _10-rater_ (_P. Donaldson, Esq._) _Designed by Fife_, 1892.] The race was from Greenwich to Gravesend and back, and it certainly was not lacking in interest. The sport began early. 'Matchless' carried away her boom, running into 'Lady Louisa's' quarter; 'Lady Louisa's' bowsprit caught 'Rob Roy's' backstay, and she followed 'Matchless' ashore, dragging 'Lady Louisa' after her. At this time 'Daisy' was leading. Soon after 'Brilliant' became first and 'Ariel' second boat. In Erith Reach on the return 'Venus' was waterlogged. 'Donna del Lago' carried away her bowsprit; 'Vixen' carried away outhaul, and when she got into Erith Roads 'Vixen's' mast went by the board. Finally 'Brilliant' won by 1 minute from 'Ariel,' who was second. They were both reefed down to the balance-reef, as shown in the illustration taken from an old print. Balance-reefs are seldom seen nowadays, although they are occasionally carried by fishing craft. [Illustration: 'Brilliant' and 'Ariel' race, 1830.]