YACHTS AND YACHTING. 107 



Whether the large boat or the small one require the more skilful handling or bring 

 out better the real seaman's qualities is a matter much discussed by the members of the 

 Shanghai Yacht Club ; but it is beyond dispute that the small craft on this river require very 

 nice handling. The crew of the little ship has to be more alert in tending the mainsheet, 

 and the helmsman has ever to be on the qui vive for puffs, and many a big boat sailor might 

 not feel happy aboard a flapper in a fresh blow without a previous small craft apprenticeship. 

 Still the large boat demands the longer experience. Possibly the best advice would be : 

 "Try your 'prentice hand in a flapper to begin with, and let your boat grow with your 

 experience." Yachting is a clean sport and a healthy, and inasmuch as the cost of the 

 up-keep of the average yacht is probably not much more than is spent on less abiding, less 

 satisfying pleasures it is remarkable that it has not been pursued with more keenness and 

 vigour than so far has been the case. But yachting is fast coming to the front in Shanghai, 

 and will be installed as a favourite pastime when its delights and virtues shall become 

 more generally known. 



Enough, it is hoped, has been adduced to show the intimate connection between 

 Yacht and Gun in the Yangtze Valley. 



