a boat useless for any other purpose, and slower
at last than a skiff with two sculls. Accordingly, we accepted the
beating with thanks.

The 'Canoe Chase,' first instituted at our Club races on the Thames, was
found to be an agreeable variety in nautical sport, and very amusing.
Therefore, two prizes were offered at the Paris Regatta for a canoe
chase, open to all the "peoples." Five French canoes entered, but there
was only one English canoeist ready in his Rob Roy to meet all comers
(the Hon. A. F. Kinnaird).

The canoes were drawn up on land alongside each other, and with their
steins touching the lower step of the "Tribune" or Grand Stand. It was
curious to observe the various positions taken up by the different men,
as each adopted what he thought was the best manner of starting. One was
at his boat's stern; another, at the side, half carried his canoe, ready
to be "off;" another grasped the bow; while the most knowing paddler held
the end of his "painter" (or little rope) extended from the bow as far as
it would reach.

All dashed off together on being started, and ran with their boats to the
water. The Frenchmen soon got entangled together by trying to get into
their boats dry; but the Englishman had made up his mind for a wetting,
and it might as well come now, at once, as in a few minutes after, so he
rushed straight into the river up to his waist, and therefore being free
from the crowding of others, he got into his boat all dripping wet, but
foremost of all, and then paddled swiftly away. The rest soon followed;
and all of them were making to the flag-boat anchored a little way off,
round which the canoes must first make a turn. Here the Englishman,
misled by the various voices on shore telling him the (wrong) side he was
to take, lost all the advantage of his start so that all the six boats
arrived at the flag-boat together, each struggling to get round it, but
locked with some other-opponent in a general scramble. Next, their
course was back to the shore, where they jumped out and ran along, each
one dragging his boat round another flag on dry land, amid the cheers and
laughter of the dense group of spectators, who had evidently not
anticipated a contest so new in its kind, and so completely visible from
beginning to end. Again, dashing into the water the little struggling
fleet paddled away to another flag-boat, but not now in such close array.
Some stuck in the willows or rushes, or were overt