Related article: big a surprise was provided in the Inter-'Varsity cross-country contest in the week previous. Cambridge started warm favour- ites, whilst President Hunter (C.U.A.C.) was considered a " certainty " for first position. In the result, however, E. A. Dawson (Malvern and Oxford) romped home first, and the Dark Blues won a fine tussle by 30 points to 25. Since the first match in 1880, Cambridge now boasts 1 1 victories and Oxford 8 ! It is satisfactory to report that the Oxford Hare Toprol Xl 200 Mg and Hounds Club has now been resuscitated from seeming apathy to renewed life and vigour, the victory in question being the first-fruits of this pleasing change of front. At last — after many years delay — the sister University athletic clubs have come to a mutual and amicable under- standing anent the vexata quastio of Weight and Hammer. Both these events are to be retained, at the request of Cambridge ; moreover, for the future the Hammer competition will be conducted under A. A. A. rules. This innovation means that it will be thrown from a 9 ft. circle, instead of from a 30 ft. circle, as heretofore. At the request of the Oxonians, a Half- Mile race will also be in- cluded henceforth, to the universal satisfaction of all concerned. Since our last, some fine performances have been put on record by Messrs. Workman, Graham, Hunter (Cam- bridge) and Arnold, Cornish, Daw- son (Oxford), and the athletic out- look for next term is uncommonly rosy. At this stage, the Dark Blues would appear to hold the whip hand ; anyway, 1897 history is hardly likely to be repeated at Queen's Club next March. " Wet bobs " have been very busy during the interim on both rivers, the Trial Eights naturally attracting much attention. We may say at once that the rowing either way was right above the average, and all four crews of un- usual calibre at such an early stage. 1897 history repeated it- self at Moulsford, C. W. Tom- kinson (Eton and Balliol) again striking the winning Dark Blue combination, and C. F. J. Holmes (Brighton and Keble) the losing one. The race itself was a sen- sational one throughout — worth going a Sabbath-day's journey to witness— and the finish something (like Venice) " to see and die." Only in the last few strokes did Tomkinson win by 3 ft. in the grand time of 10 min. 55 sees. — or 26 minutes faster than in 1897. Both strokes rowed with fine judgment, and it is evident that Oxford is still nourishing a fine race of rowing men. In No. 1 crew, Messrs. Steel, Johnson, Elliott, and the Hon. H. E. Lambert did splendid service; whilst in No. 2 crew, Messrs. Tinne, F. W. and C. E. F. Warre, Hale and Baylay rowed hard and well throughout. Of the rival coxswains, E. Gwynne- Evans (Eton and Lincoln) was the cleverer. Another magnifi- cent tussle was witnessed at Ely, the crews stroked by J. H. Gib- bon (Eton and Third Trinity), and S. P. Cockerill (Eton and Third Trinity), never being quite clear throughout. In the result, Gibbon's combination won by a bare length in the fast time of 15 mins. 45 sees. For the winning crew, Gibbon himself, Payne (London A.C.) and Young were conspicuous ; and in No. 2 crew, Cockerill, Sanderson, Maitland and Chapman all showed fine form. Speaking advisedly, we should say that Light Blue pros- pects Toprol Xl Coupons were never rosier, at least since 1 890 ! Both representative i«99-J " OUR VAN. tt 63 crews will get to work about Toprol Xl 12.5 Mg the second week in January, and (on present prospects and form) there ought to be a very fine race at Putney on March 25th. Critical and authoritative comment on the probable constitution of the eights, &c, next month. At the best, October Term is but a sort of pre- paration time for later prowess, hence the progress of general sport may be briefly summarised. The Boxing and Fencing *' Trials " attracted large audi- ences, and produced some capital all-round work. At Oxford, Messrs. Wyndham, Ramsey and Scott should develop into fencers of the first water, and the same may be said of Messrs. Levi and Robson (Cambridge). The box- ing at Toprol Xl 200 both meetings was dis- tinctly "classy," and in Messrs. Tiddy, Spurrell, Jameson and Champneys, Oxford have un- earthed some very promising exponents of " the noble art." Champneys was Public Schools' Champion last year, and bids fair to prove a " welter " right out of the ordinary. His hitting powers are immense. At Cambridge, the Brothers Molteno, Hervey, Bruce, Harrison, and Obeysekere proved themselves decided acqui- sitions to the Light Blues ; and altogether the Universities are well served in these directions. We had it in mind to chat of the hockey, golf, &c, teams, but — on second thoughts — prefer to post- pone critical remarks in these directions until next month also. For once in a way, the bi-annual Cottenham Steeplechase Meeting at Cambridge proved a "frost." Whether this was owing to the exclusion of the usual galloway races or not, is hard to say ; any- way, the steeplechase open to Past and Present Undergraduates — held in lieu thereof — only at- tracted two runners. 'Midst general enthusiasm, Toprol Xl 12.5 Mr. J. F. Ramsden (Master of the Drag) won the Redcoat Challenge Cup handsomely and easily. Our readers will be glad to hear that Mr. C. P. Nickalls, winner of both the Oxford University and Inter- University Grinds for the last two years, has nearly recovered from his recent severe accident — which, bv the way, robbed him of his Rugby football " Blue." He hopes to steer Shy lock II. to vic- tory for the third successive year. General news may also be briefly vouchsafed. Both cricket teams have arranged compre- hensive fixture lists for next season, and the Oxonians will have the honour of meeting the Australians twice. Prince Ranjit- singhi, the ever-famous old Can- tab cricket " Blue," has arranged to bring over and captain a purely native Indian team in 1900, in- cluding several native Princes, &c. Talking of this gentleman reminds us that he is now a full- blown Colonel. He has recently been appointed commander of the body-guard of the Maharajah of Patiala. From latest advices, we are enabled to state that ex- Presidents Philips (Oxford) and Dudley-Ward (Cambridge) will,