gunwale in the position in which it remains whilst the oar is in use; a, is an ordinary iron thowl-pin; b, the crutch, also of galvanized iron, which revolves round the thowl as an axis; c, a clamp or chock, which receives the lower end of the thowl; d, a section of the oar; e, a short lanyard with a running eye, which is slipped over the head of the thowl whenever the oar is required to hang over the side; f, the gunwale.

and

Figure 2, shows the oar when let go by the rower, allowed to hang alongside outside the gunwale: a, the thowl; b. the crutch; c, the leathering on the oar, to prevent chafe; d, the oar, as hung alongside; e, the lanyard spliced round the oar, below the leathering and nailed on to prevent its slipping round or along the oar; f, the gunwale.

The principle advantage of the swivel-crutches over grummets is, that they are of a more durable character, are fixtures, and so not liable to be mislaid or lost, and retain always the same size and shape, whereas a grummet is liable to stretch by use, when the oar will work too loosely in it.

In consequence of the occasional breaking of oars in the lifeboats, the National Lifeboat Institution has often called the attention of the coxswains of its boats to the importance of a sufficient number of spare ones being always carried in the boats when afloat, either on service or for quarterly exercise.

It appears that not less than four spare oars are to be carried in the double-banked boats, or less than three in the single-banked ones; and that they are always to be lashed to the thwarts or central batten, so that they cannot be washed overboard, or be lost in the event of a boat being upset.

RECOLLECTIONS OF SANDHURST.

BY AN OLD CADET.

CHAPTER VI.

Blackwater Fair, to which as I have already stated we were all looking forward in anticipation of some excitement to break into the dreary life we had been leading lately, is usually held during the first week in November and is, besides being a Fair in the ordinary sense of the word, a Cattle Fair. For a week or so previously therefore, the fields around Blackwater are gradually filled with cattle brought in to be sold; and as soon as they began to arrive, the cadets began to amuse themselves by visiting the fields where their scarlet coats soon roused the ire of bulls of even the least quarrelsome dispositions.

It was certainly a comfort to have something which, at this dull season, promised fun at least to talk about and prepare for. Indeed there was a good deal of preparation made for it, the most noticeable perhaps being the assortment of sticks which gradually found their way into college. Everyone who intended paying a visit to Blackwater on the present occasion, seemed to feel it his duty to secure a stick of the most formidable proportions, in the same way that Irishmen would have armed themselves prior to visiting Donnybrook many years ago. Bludgeons of the most villainous aspect were eagerly purchased at prices which were absolutely

ruinous, compared to the amounts received on pay-night by those gentlemen cadets who bought them. The numbers on the caps too were, notwithstanding previous orders and punishment, again prepared for removal at a moment's notice, and a degree of still, orderly activity prevailed from which it might have been augured by an attentive observer accustomed to the ways of cadets, that some piece of mischief was concocting; but as no one appeared inclined to notice anything of the kind, things were allowed to take their natural course.

It was not only by those who intended going to Blackwater that the approach of the Fair was regarded with interest, for many who never intended to go near it looked forward to it far more impatiently than those who did, and speculated perhaps on its doing them a good turn in the way of promotion. You might for instance hear it said in reply to a remark to the effect that so-and-so would probably be soon made a corporal. "Oh yes, Blackwater Fair will give it to him," and the assertion would soon after become sadly though surely fulfilled. Blackwater Fair-the very name is redolent to cadets past and present of reduction from superior grades to " poor private," of rustication, removal, and dismissal, and many a poor fellow may still regret its very existence when the result of a folly committed consequent on irresistible temptation is brought home to him. The Fair was held within a mile of the college, and the most stringent orders were always issued forbidding all cadets to go within a certain distance of the spot, in fact Blackwater itself and some of the adjacent ground was before the event put "out of bounds" until further orders; but still the cadets had their liberty as usual, and were free to wander where they chose by running the risk of being reported if they ventured into the proclaimed district and were seen by the sergeants stationed there. Now anyone would naturally think that had the authorities really desired to prevent the presence of cadets at Blackwater, they might easily have taken effective measures for the fulfillment of that object by confining them to college for instance, or if such a measure be considered harsh, by ordering a general parade after dinner and marching the "column" out for a skirmish on the heath in the opposite direction. But no such steps were ever taken or apparently dreamt of, and although the cadets were told, very impressively certainly, not to go, yet just immediately afterwards they found themselves personally at perfect liberty to go or not as they thought proper, and enjoy the fun and frolic of a fair held in a dull country place at a dull time of year, and as they considered the order forbidding their visit a gross piece of injustice, and believed there was no fair reason why they should be debarred from the pleasure of going to Blackwater on this important occasion, it was determined by the majority of those to whom this order was addressed to act as if it had never been issued. A sort of secret committee was therefore established. This self-organised body took upon it the duty of ascertaining and

registering the names of all those desirous of joining their party, carefully excluding those whom they considered incompetent to take part in so important an undertaking, that is they refused to enrol any cadet under a certain height-I think the minimum standard on the present occasion was fixed at 5 feet,—and all those inglorious beings who were by common repute deemed "duffers" were strenuously objected to and denied admission to the brotherhood. Under-officers were not admitted to the mysteries of the fraternity, in case they might attempt to exercise their authority towards its suppression, and very few if any of the corporals joined it, although some of them generally visited the Fair on their own account. Altogether I suppose the conspirators numbered about 120 all told, and had appointed as their rendezvous the Oak Grove, where they were to meet after dinner and form, prior to proceeding across the fields to the Fair. About 2 o'clock then on the afternoon of the eventful day might have been seen numbers of cadets cautiously wending their way to the Grove in a peculiarly unobtrusive manner in twos and threes, and for the most part walking clumsily from having sticks or shillelaghs hid under their clothes. Once in the Grove, however, the secreted sticks were quickly brought to light, the steady unassuming manner thrown off, coat sleeves tucked up, stocks taken off, pipes loaded and lighted, caps deprived of their tell-tale figures and stuck carelessly on the backs of their owners' heads, and such a demeanour displayed as would leave no doubt on the mind of any chance spectator that there was "something up." Reader, I must confess to you what I have never confessed to any before, what would indeed have been dangerous, aye madness itself, to acknowledge when the ornaments on the cap of my ordinary attire were the letter A and figures 99, but now fearing no dreadful consequences from throwing myself on your merciful consideration, I am feign to confess that I A 99 Writer was one of the band who assembled in the Grove as above stated. To be sure I did not strut about as the majority of the others did on their arrival, for I was new to this sort of thing, and a fellow who was "only a John" could not even there presume to swagger, although on such an occasion it might be fancied that everyone stood on an equal footing. Our leaders soon assumed their authority, and began telling us off in different parties or divisions to each of which one of them attached himself. I was placed in the largest division which was under the command of an old cadet, whom we may as well christen Fairfite and who was in fact the principal in the whole affair, having prepared the lists and arranged the details with an energy it would have been impossible to surpass. Fairfite stood facing us as he called the roll and gave directions regarding our future action. The only person who had promised to come and was now absent was Mingleby. I had seen nothing of him since morning, and Aspen who was also present knew no more about him than I did, but said he believed he U.S. MAG. No. 447, FEB. 1566.

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was on drill. "I know he's on drill" said Fairfite, "but that ought not to keep him away." I could not help observing how much trouble Fairfite and his fellow leaders had in keeping order, and how little attention was paid to their instructions. These selfelected authorities indeed had to humour their subordinates in a hundred petty ways; and it was a striking contrast to think how under ordinary circumstances a small corporal, vested with lawful authority, would have ruled the whole of those present with eas. Fairfite's deputies were two brothers who were known in college as Blackey and Whitey, from the former being very dark, both as regarded his hair and complexion, and the latter of a singularly fair caste. Blackey was appointed the commander of a body mustering under 40, and had assigned to him the duty of protecting the rear of the grand division from being surprised, by following it at a distance of a hundred yards as it proceeded to Blackwater, and to act as a reserve, while Whitey with fifteen chosen men marched in advance in loose order to clear the way, keep a look out for sergeants and other obnoxious individuals, and give notice of the appearance or approach of the enemy. The enemy, it must be known, was expected to be very ably represented by the cattle drovers, who were sure to resent any interference with their flocks or any upsetting of their own or their friends' booths and were ugly customers indeed to meet face to face in a fray. The divisions were at length mustered and the whole moved off in the order already stated across the fields. We proceeded towards our destination rather circuitously fording the Blackwater River a narrow stream, almost opposite our starting point, and then wheeling round to the left advanced towards the village. By these means we avoided coming into contact with the sergeants who were patroling and would ourselves enter the fair from a most unexpected quarter. After crossing the river, we had to pass by a farm house, and went through the yard belonging to it where an old man hat in hand, and an old woman curtseying violently, stood holding open the gate, having been apprised of our approach by the party in advance. It seemed to me at the time that this piece of attention was actuated by fear as much as anything else, in consequence of a disposition being evinced by some of our party to commit damage, but a good-natured cry of "respect private property" happily stopped any mischief of the kind at least for the time. Having got through the farm into the fields again, a short halt was made while Whitey's party reconnoitered. The interval was spent in setting a lot of cattle in motion, the animals displaying the usual excitement at our appearance, and being driven into the next fields got mixed with other herds, so that their owners must have had a puzzling time of it in regaining their property. A couple of scouts from Whitey now came back with word that no sergeants were to be seen in the Fair, and that their own division had all got safely into a show. This information had the effect of making us instantly wish to do