Soon comes the welcome of the owner of 'Queen Mab,' Col. T. B. C. West, well known in the yachting world in connection with that grand yawl 'Wendur,' 143 tons, T.M., built in 1883, his famous 10-rater 'Queen Mab' in the Clyde, and now the 'Queen Mab' of 1892. The forties are a very prominent class and justly so; they emphasise the sport of class racing over handicaps. About this time the racing flags of other craft are a subject of intense interest, and the crew are immensely keen. Should an old adversary not be getting under way, the why and wherefore will be at once discussed; this generally brings out prominently any hand of the 'sea lawyer' class, if the owner has unfortunately shipped one. The head sails have now been set, and we are curvetting and pirouetting about waiting for preparatory gun. There is no doubt that wonderful skill is shown in the handling of the various craft. A dexterity and firmness are apparent which could never be secured with the American system of adjusted time: thus if 'Vigilant' were four minutes late at the start, that time would be deducted from the winner at the finish. Now comes the full excitement of the start. 'First gun, sir; fifteen minutes to go!' is the word, and for the next eighteen minutes all is extra wariness, sometimes fourteen yachts under way, manoeuvring, and keenly watching each other. 'Blue Peter, sir, five minutes!' is next heard. The owner, watch in hand, by the skipper, records the fleeting moments as they pass, calling out the minutes: at length it comes to 1 min., 50 secs., 40 secs., 30 secs., 20 secs. 'How much, sir?' 'Ten seconds'; then 'Let her go!' and she goes--with her cranse iron over the line directly after the gun. Everyone now turns attention to the recall numbers. Are there any? There has been such a thing as three over the line out of four starters, so great is the eagerness for a lead. [Illustration: Old Style.] [Illustration: New Style.] [Illustration: 'Reverie,' 1891.] [Illustration: 'Corsair,' 1892.] [Illustration: 'Queen Mab,' 1892.] [Illustration: 'Doreen,' 1892.]