But what he wanted to say was this,
that though his "fireman waterman" was one of the greatest humbugs
that ever existed, he yet taught him what an honest, healthy, manly
sport this was. Their waterman would bid them pull away, and
assure them that they were certain of winning in some race. And
here he would remark that aquatic sports never entailed a moment's
cruelty, or a moment's pain, upon any living creature. Rowing men
pursued recreation under circumstances which braced their muscles,
and cleared the cobwebs from their minds. He assured them that he
regarded such clubs as these as a "national blessing." They owed,
it was true, a vast deal to steam power--as was sometimes proved at
matches on the Thames--but, at the same time, they were greatly
indebted to all that tended to keep up a healthy, manly tone. He
understood that there had been a committee selected for the purpose
of arranging a great amateur regatta, which was to take place off
Putney in the course of the season that was just begun. He could
not abstain from availing himself of this occasion to express a
hope that the committee would successfully carry on its labours to
a triumphant result, and that they should see upon the Thames, in
the course of this summer, such a brilliant sight as had never been
seen there before. To secure this there must be some hard work,
skilful combinations, and rather large subscriptions.
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