Montagu, a dear lover of all good English sports. 'Thalia' was a fine craft, by Fife of Fairlie, a splendid sea boat. Many is the good race Mr. Inglis has sailed in her, with Carter, who sailed 'Britannia,' 1893, at the tiller. [Illustration: 'Irex,' built for John Jameson, Esq., 1884. Length B.P. 88'0"; length L.W.L. 83'6"; beam extreme 15'0". Tonnage R.T.Y.C. Rule 88. tons; tonnage register 74.67 tons; Y.R.A. Rating 98 tons.] [Illustration: Longitudinal elevation.] [Illustration: Cabin plan. Corsair (Admiral the Hon. Victor Montagu), 40-rater, 1892. Designed by Arthur E. Payne.] We live in an age of rather rapid development; 1892 becomes ancient history in 1893, still it seems sad that when one has a good vessel like 'Thalia,' she should so soon be outclassed. Fashion always runs to extremes; now that fashion has attacked yachting, the belle of one season is extinguished in the next. 'Sic tempora et naves mutantur.' In old days enthusiastic yacht-owners lengthened their pets, almost rebuilt them sometimes, as in the cases of 'Alarm' and 'Arrow'; the associations were retained and duly cherished. [Illustration: 'Corsair,' midship section.] We have started, it should have been said, for the Australian Cup, value 50_l._, presented by Mr. Gibson Miller for yachts exceeding 20 tons and not exceeding 40 tons. The second prize, 30_l._, is given by the Royal Squadron. The westerly wind turned out very light, and without a good sailing breeze racing becomes peaceful repose. Much interest, however, is felt in the performance of 'Irene,' 40-rater, designed by Mr. G. L. Watson for Prince Henry of Prussia, who was at the tiller all day, heart and soul in it, longing for a breeze, and probably keeping up the old superstition by giving an unintentional whistle for one; but still it would not come. At 4 hrs. 0 min. 35 secs. 'Queen Mab' came in the winner, 'Thalia' taking second prize. For real racing a true wind, such as we had in the race for prizes given by the Royal Southampton Yacht Club, August 6, is indispensable. This was a small but sporting muster. 'Iverna' and 'Meteor' were sent away at 10.45 A.M., 'Iverna' crossing the line to a second. The forties, 'Corsair,' 'Queen Mab,' and 'Thalia,' were despatched half an hour later at 11 A.M., to a perfect start and a whole-sail westerly breeze, 'Mab' crossing two seconds after the Blue Peter was hauled down. The gun missed fire. We hailed the Committee Boat, 'Are we all right?' when the pleasant echo returned, 'All right, go on,' and away we went. [Illustration: Lashing the Emperor's racing flag.] [Illustration: Our masthead man.]