which seems, if the criticism may be permitted, a curious proceeding even for a stricken rock during the progress of a boat-race. Finally, a touch of religious romance is added when we learn that the final result was due, not to the unaided efforts of the straining crew, but to the intervention of Portunus, the Harbour God, who, moved by the prayer of Cloanthus, captain of the _Scylla_, pushed that barque along and carried her triumphantly first into the haven--invidious conduct which does not appear to have caused the least complaint amongst the defeated crews, or to have prevented Cloanthus from being proclaimed the victor of the day. Only on one occasion (in 1859) has Father Thames similarly exerted himself to the advantage of one of the University crews, for during the boat-race of that year he swamped the Cambridge ship beneath his mighty waves, and sped Oxford safely to Mortlake. Lord Justice A. L. Smith, amongst others, still lives, though he was unable to swim, to tell the exciting tale.
Before I take leave of this Virgilian race, I may perhaps, even at this late date, be permitted as a brother coach to commiserate the impulsive but unfortunate Gyas on the difficulties he must have encountered in coaching the crew of a trireme. Not less do I pity his oarsmen, of whom the two lower ranks must have suffered seriously as to their backs from the feet of those placed above them, while the length and weight of the oars used by the top rank must have made good form and accurate time almost impossible. A Cambridge poet, Mr. R. H. Forster, has sung the woes of the Athenian triremists and their instructor--
"Just imagine a crew of a hundred or two Shoved three deep in a kind of a barge, Like a cargo of kegs, with no room for their legs, And oars inconveniently large. Quoth he, 'παντες προσω' and they try to do so. At the sight the poor coach's brains addle; So muttering 'οιμοι,' he shouts out 'ἑτοιμοι,' And whatever the Greek is for 'paddle.' Now do look alive, number ninety and five, You're 'sugaring,' work seems to bore you; You are late, you are late, number twenty and eight, Keep your eyes on the man that's before you."