The Oxford and Cambridge Universities Match Our London correspondent has sent us an account of the twenty-sixth Oxford-Cambridge Universities Match, held at Putney on the 17th. For the ninth time in succession Oxford triumphed in spite of Cambridge's efforts, but never was victory more keenly contested. The morning seemed far from favourable, the wind had shifted to the south during the night and the barometer had dropped considerably. Towards the middle of the day, the rain had started to fall, but after a few showers the weather had cleared by the time we set off. The wind was then from the S.S.E., and, dropping almost completely at Putney-Reach, favoured the race for a large part of the route, although it was against it between Chiswick and Barnes. As usual, a huge crowd thronged the shore, and University ties were displayed everywhere. Among those present were Prince Arthur, son of Queen Victoria, and Prince Hassan, son of the Viceroy of Egypt, aboard their steamers. At about half past three, the two teams left their hotels to launch their boats: the Oxford boat was afloat at 3.46 a.m. and the Cambridge boat 5 or 6 minutes later. The two competitors then headed for the buoy boat at Putney-terrace, about 70 yards from the steamboat pier. This year, the Middlesex side once again fell to Oxford. At two minutes to 4 o'clock, Mr Edward Searle gave the signal, and the match between the Universities began. At first, Cambridge took the lead, but an insignificant lead, which was perhaps due to the fact that at the starting post, its boat imperceptibly overtook that of Oxford. At the Duke's head-inn, Oxford had regained ground, and at Bishop's-Creek the two boats were running abreast. Between Bishop's-Creek and Craven-Cottage, the Oxford team, rowing hard and together, again took the lead. The Cambridge team rowed with some haste. A little above Cravent-Cottage Oxford had a half-length lead, despite Cambridge's efforts, despite the mistakes of its coxswain, Oxford, passing Messrs Cowan's soap factory, outstripped its rival by three quarters of a length. At the central arch of Hammersmith Bridge, Cambridge, by a mighty effort, almost cancelled the interval, thanks to the bad manoeuvres of Oxford's helmsman; for a minute Oxford's team seemed disorganised, and Cambridge passed so quickly under the suspension bridge that he again took the lead. Nevertheless, despite his skilful manoeuvres, and although he was still ahead at the Doves, it was clear that Oxford would not be defeated in this way. Indeed, although his helmsman steered him badly, he slowly but surely began to regain ground. At the stunts below Chiswyck-foot, he was 3/4 length clear of Cambridge. From the Hammersmith point, the Rowing of both competitors left much to be desired. In front of Chiswyck Church, Cambridge made a desperate effort, but Oxford still held on to half a length. By the Duke of Devonshire's meadows, he was a length and a half ahead of Cambridge. Finally he passed Barnes Bridge, two lengths ahead. The race had lasted 20 minutes 4 seconds. It is true that the result of the match lived up to general expectations, but never had the battle been so vigorously contested. There is much to be said for the rowing of the two competitors, although Cambridge has made great progress since last year. The bets were 5 to 2 and 3 to 1 for Oxford.