During the past week the papers have spent thousands of
pounds and given up columns of space to the "America Cup,"—the yacht-race in which Lord Dunraven's Valkyrie ' has been trying to beat the American Vigilant,' to which the defence of the challenge-cup has been entrusted. Two out of the three races have been won by the Vigilant,' and it is therefore most unlikely that the English boat will now win the day. The opinion of the experts seems to be that as a sailing machine the Vigilant' is superior to the' Valkyrie,' and that, though the conditions were to some extent unfavour- able to Lord D anraven's yacht, the American has proved herself the better racing-boat. Those who imagine that the interest in racing of various kinds depends wholly upon the mcney " on" should note the race. Practically there has been no betting on the event on. this side of the Atlantic, and yet the men in the 'bus and the train have talked of nothing but the chances of the two vessels. Whether Angle or Saxon, or Dane or Norman, we all came to England from over-sea, and hence anything to do with a boat is always sure to excite us,—or all of us except " the Celtic fringes."
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