27 AUGUST 1898, Page 24

Rowing. By R. C. Lehmann, Guy Nickalls, C. M. Pitman,

and others. (A. D. Innes and Co.)—This volume, the fourth of the "Isthmian Library," deals thoroughly with that branch of sport the "Blue" for which is the most highly prized distinction at the University. The chief contributor, Mr. R. C. Lehmann, is well known as one of the best coaches of the present day, therefore any advice from his pen is certain to be thoroughly good. "Tubbing," that is, the coaching of the novice in a tub pair, i first dealt with; the best style to be cultivated and the faults only too easily contracted are clearly pointed out by the aid of many excellent plates. "A dull period of practice" it is called, and the writer of this notice certainly found it so. Then rowing in " fours " and " eights " is discussed thoroughly. Is Oxford and Cambridge are the nurseries of nearly all rowing men, there is naturally much information about the University Boat Race, the training and dieting of the crews. Many famous " oars " are mentioned ; among them we notice a Mr. F. S. Gulston, the hero of five Grand Challenge Cup and Stewards' Cup Medals, and a Frenchman by name Bidault, 7 ft. 44 in. in height, who was a well-known sculler a few years ago. There are chapters on sculling, rowing at Oxford, at Cambridge, in Australia, in America, where Mr. Lehmann is well known for his unselfish efforts to improve the rowing of the Universities. "Are Athletes Healthy ?" a subject recently discussed in the St. Jame,'s Gazette on the death of three well-known Oxford "oars," also claims a chapter. The book is thoroughly interesting even to a landsman, and the many illustrations are excellent.