But the original purpose was defeated, if not lost sight of, when the ownership of the bridge was acquired by another company. For seven years past the river at Poughkeepsie has been the scene of one of the ga^'cst and most popular of all the great annual features of college athletics. There the regatta of the Intercollegiate Rowing Association isheld every June, and over one of the finest straightaway courses in the world the eager crews from six great universities contend for the championship. The crowds of spectators generally cross the river to Highland Station, where observation trains on the West Shore Road are in waiting to receive them.

Chapter XXVI Sports and Industries

A BRIEF commentary on riparian pastimes and industries seems to be necessary to complete the story of the river. A reference, at least, to these matters will be permitted, if not demanded, by the reader. One recalls in this connection the famous delivery of a well-known critic concerning a popular book: " If you like this sort of a book, this is the sort of a book you like." If one cares for ice-boating, fishing, and kindred occupations, this is the sort of a subject that he cares for; but, realising that the converse is also true, we frankly re-echo the advice given by Mrs. vStowe, in the preface to a chapter on New England theology, " If the reader is not interested in the subject of this chapter, he is invited to skij^^ it." We have already spoken of the intercollegiate races that for nearly a decade have enlivened the waters about Poughkeepsie and have drawn each year a multitude of enthusiastic spectators. But it is not only at summer time that the waters offer a field for exciting contests of strength or skill. The upper reaches of the river become in winter the theatre of sports that recall