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the "natural stability" of beam, obtained an artificial stability from enormous lead keels carried at a great depth. When, by a Yacht Racing Association resolution—since in 1876 yachting had been placed under a national and central authority, just as horse-racing is controlled by the Jockey Club and Grand National Hunt—the length was taken on the water-line, the overhanging or clipper bow took the place of the upright stem. But that is a detail, and the excesses permitted under this beam and length measurement soon brought about its abolition. The point now is that, in 1884, the Genesta, a 90-ton cutter, was built by Messrs Henderson of Glasgow on the lines of Mr J. Beavor Webb, for the late Sir Richard Sutton, and proved the best vessel of her type and time afloat. In America the authorities penalised depth, with result, of course, that shallow craft obtained. Two little English cutters—the Madge, 10 tons, from the Clyde, and the Maggie, 15 tons, from old Dan Hatcher's yard—had been "sold across," and had beaten the Yankees of their class in nearly every encounter. The moment seemed opportune to attempt the Cup again. Sir Richard Sutton challenged with the Genesta. Terms were courteously arranged, and in the September of 1885 he arrived at New York. The New York Yacht Club had built a boat to defend the Cup, the Puritan, designed by Mr Burgess of Boston a genius in naval architecture, who sprang up in the hour of his country's need. Three races were to be sailed, the winner of any two to take the Cup. The Genesta was 81 feet on the water-line, 15 feet beam, 11 feet 6 inches depth; the Puritan 80 feet on the water-line, 23 feet beam, 8 feet depth, and fitted with a centre-board. The first race was no trial; the winds were light and baffling, and the American won by sixteen minutes. The second was a fairer test; but again the Puritan sailed home first, though with only two minutes ten seconds in hand. With luck the result might have been different. England has never been so near the recovery of her Cup. Sir Richard did not return from America empty-handed. He won two challenge cups for his Club, the Royal Yacht Squadron—the Cape May Cup, beating the schooners Dauntless, Grayling, and Fortuna, the cutter Gracie and sloop Ellen, handsomely; and a few days later, on the 22d September, the big schooner Dauntless, by six hours, over a 360-mile course, for the Brenton Reef Cup. Both these trophies were open to challenge, and in the event of the original owner's death whilst in possession of them, or the sale of the vessel first winning them, returnable to the New York Yacht Club. In 1886 the Genesta's name appeared in the sale list, and that splendid yachtsman, Mr J. J. Jameson, challenged with the Irex for the Cape May Cup. The Irex was a very much faster and newer vessel than the Genesta, and easily secured the goblet. Both trophies have since lapsed to the Squadron.

When the Genesta's fate still hung in the balance, Lieutenant Henn, R.N., challenged with the Galatea, a sister ship to a great extent to the Genesta, but not quite so speedy. No very great interest was roused by this move; but in the autumn of 1886 the Galatea crossed the Atlantic and tried conclusions, and without success, with another of Burgess's vessels, the Mayflower, built expressly to defend the honour of his country.