6 APRIL 1907, Page 17

AN IMPARTIAL SPECTATOR OF THE BOAT-RACE. [To roe EDITOR or

TUX .SPROTATOR:]

Sin,—The mid-Victorian singer of athletic events referred to on p. 450 of the Spectator (March 23rd) was, I think, Mr. J. Asbby-Sterry, who wrote a little poem describing bow the Boat-Race was witnessed by a young girl who, out of sheer kindness of heart, was averse from showing partiality to either set of competitors. The last stanza was :-

" Ah, climax of sweet, simple, girlish devices ! What smiles for the winners, for losers what sighs! She has twined in her fair hair the colours of Isis, While those of the Cam glitter bright in her eyes."

A pretty thought, prettily expressed I—I am, Sir, &c.,

T. M. W.

[We have always attributed the lines to Mortimer Collins, but possibly our correspondent is right.—En. Spectator.]