A Trip to Cambridge and Other Recollections

On arriving at Cambridge the first thing that strikes the eye is clean, paved streets, neat little brick houses with gardens, some Sectarian churches in quaint styles, and wonderful old Colleges that have outlasted many a century and defied all changes of weather. The streets are crowded with students of both sexes, many of them on bikes, in smart tennis suits, with the badge of their respective clubs, and a racket under their arm. Others carry cricket bats or golf clubs over their shoulders as they wend their way to the cricket ground or golf links.

Cambridge, just two hours from London, is named after the rivulet Cam, that flows through the place. It is not at all deep, and you can easily see the roots of the many water plants that grow in it. Rowing is thus quite impossible; but some ingenious person invented another sort of craft, the "punting" boat. A "punting" trip on the Cam is considered one of the finest pleasures a student's life can afford.

A punting boat looks like a Venetian bark, and is moved by means of a long pole, a "punting pole." One can only wield the pole standing. It is a lovely sight to see the nice crafts full of merry people, all in summer dress, drifting by. There is sure to be a supply of gay cushions on board, perhaps even a gramophone. While you are floating along, past old willow trees, green lawns, wonderful Colleges, and under fine arched bridges, you may listen to all the latest music-hall melodies, with now and then a Vienna waltz interspersed. You pull into a lovely creek, take out your luncheon baskets, and have a real English picnic.