(_Under the Consideration of the Thames Conservancy_)
No piano playing shall be permitted on houseboats during the racing, so
that the attention of coxswains shall not be thereby distracted.
To avoid a crowd collecting on the course, no craft shall be permitted
to leave the shores between the hours of 6 A.M. and 9 P.M.
To preserve decorum, only lemonade and ginger-beer shall be drunk during
the illuminations, and fireworks shall henceforth be restricted to one
squib and a couple of crackers to each houseboat.
Finally, recreation of every kind shall be discontinued, so that in
future the unpopularity of the County Council on land shall find its
reflection in the universal detestation in which the Thames Conservancy
shall be held by those living on the river.
* * * * *
[Illustration: TRIALS OF A NOVICE
_Extract from Diary._--"WEDNESDAY. Went for a spin or trip, or whatever
it's called, on Bowlines' new racing yacht. Felt very nervous when we
turned the corners; nearly fell overboard while I was trying to balance
the thing; thought we should have been drowned. B. said it was a wonder
we weren't--thanks to _me_! Had a few words with B. _Mem._--Never
again!"
[_N.B.--B. says the same._
]
* * * * *
[Illustration]