A DESPISED IDOL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2408, 4 December 1880, Page 2

A DESPISED IDOL.

The Sydney ‘ Echo’ writes : —“ The best abused man there has been in Sydney for many a long' day was Edward Trickett on Tuesday. Of course if he had won the boat race he would he would not only have been the hero of the hour, but a hero among heroes. The prescience of so many excellent people would have justified. The city would have been as gay with bunting as if a second Waterloo had been scored and every barmaid in the place would have been as bedecked with blue rib bons as if her favorite had won the Derby, As the case stands, thousands of persons waited unable to sleep, until some unseasonable hour on Tuesday, and then, income instances, were unable to sleep after the telegram was received. And then the report was magnified. It was rumored that Hanlan got out of his boat and had a drink whilst Trickett was panting and puffing after him. Another version was that the Canadian sat down in his boat and read a newspaper. Crowds now declare him a sell. Considering the large amount of money staked on his winning the race, it is not to be wonde.ed at that mortification overpowers judgment. Even the past victories of this renowned athlete are spoken of as the triumph of brute strength over finished skill, lie is also accused of evincing a conceited self-confidence in the certainty of winning, that prevented him taking the pains to secure a conquest. But the climax was reached when a larrikin, not much higher than a walking stick, swore by.all his gods that if Trickett came to Sydney again he : would row him himself.’ ”