Captain Barclay

In his Walking dress.

PEDESTRIANISM;
OR,
AN ACCOUNT
OF
The Performances of celebrated Pedestrians
DURING
THE LAST AND PRESENT CENTURY;
WITH A FULL NARRATIVE OF
Captain Barclay’s
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE MATCHES;
AND
AN ESSAY ON TRAINING.

BY THE
AUTHOR OF THE HISTORY OF ABERDEEN,
&c. &c. &c.

ABERDEEN:
Printed by D. Chalmers and Co.

FOR A. BROWN, AND F. FROST, ABERDEEN; CONSTABLE AND CO.
AND GREIG, HIGH-STREET, EDINBURGH; LONGMAN AND
CO. PATERNOSTER-ROW; FORSYTH, 114, LEADENHALL-STREET;
AND RICE, 28, BERKELEY-SQUARE,
LONDON.

1813.

PREFACE.

At the suggestion of a few friends, the author undertook this work. His intention at first was to confine it solely to Capt. Barclay’s performances. But on farther consideration, he thought that the feats of other pedestrians might be introduced, and the plan enlarged, so as to embrace a treatise conveying information or amusement to readers in general, as well as to sporting gentlemen.

He has therefore treated of objects connected with the physical powers of man, with the view of drawing the attention of the public to the best means of strengthening and augmenting the capacities of the body. The subject he deems important, especially at a time when the physical energies of many of our countrymen are frequently brought into action by the conflicts of war.

The republics of Greece prepared their youth for the duty of the field by their gymnastic institutions; and the Romans were exercised by long marches, running, leaping, and throwing the javelin. But with the soldiers of Britain, a different system prevails. While stationed at home, they are allowed to waste their time in “indolent repose,” and prevented from taking even that degree of exercise which is requisite to health, lest they should exhaust the most trifling of their necessaries, before the return of the usual period of supply. All the advantages they might derive from a course of training, are thus sacrificed to an ill-judged economy, and to the vain show of a parade or field day.

The author has considered Exercise in a military point of view, and he thinks he cannot too strongly urge the necessity of adopting such measures for training our troops preparatory to actual service as would fit them for undergoing the hardships of the campaign.

He therefore trusts that this work may deserve the perusal of military men—no class in the community having so much occasion to prepare themselves to bear bodily fatigue, as those who are engaged in the business of war.—And, if it be fully explained, as the author hopes it is, by what expedients men may be enabled to undergo more than ordinary exertion, the subject certainly merits the consideration of the defenders of their country.

But as exercise conduces so much to the strength and soundness of both body and mind, the subjects treated in this volume, may be deemed, he presumes, of sufficient moment to deserve the attention of all classes.

The different pedestrian matches which are recorded, may serve to illustrate general principles, as they exhibit the power of the human frame; and hence conclusions of extensive utility may be deduced. But to Sporting Gentlemen this work is particularly interesting, as they will find, concisely related, the performances of the most celebrated pedestrians of the present age. And from what has been already done, they may form some opinion of what it is possible for others to accomplish; and thus regulate their bets according to the different circumstances of the cases under their review.

The author acknowledges his obligations to several gentlemen of the highest respectability, for their encouragement and patronage. To Capt. Barclay, in particular, he is much indebted, for having not only furnished the chapter on training, but also for having taken the trouble to revise the greater part of the work.

WALTER THOM.

Aberdeen, 1st Jan. 1813.

CONTENTS.

ERRATA.

[Page 113]. line 20. instead of 12 read 2 seconds. And correct the same error, [p. 158].

Transcriber’s Note: These errata have been corrected.

PEDESTRIANISM.

CHAPTER I.
ON THE GYMNASTIC EXERCISES OF THE ANCIENTS.

Gymnastic exercises were held in the highest repute by the most illustrious nations of antiquity. They mingled with the sacred and political institutions of their governments, and produced consequences affecting the physical and moral character of the people.

The Games interested all Greece; and the period of their celebration was that of peace and security. The different republics, with their dependent colonies in the isles, in Asia, and Africa, furnished candidates emulous to gain the distinguished honors. Hostile states, then uniting in bonds of friendship, interchanged those favourable impressions which tend to humanize the rough nature of man; and that asperity of temper, or animosity of heart, so characteristic of rude nations, was thus softened or lulled.

The Sacred Games of the Greeks, were composed of the exhibitions of the Stadium and Hippodrome; and the charms of poetry and music were added, to gratify the more refined taste of the lovers of these exquisite arts. Philosophers, poets, historians, orators, and every description of people, assembled to witness the exertions of the combatants, and to enjoy the varied pleasures of the festival.

The Olympic games claimed precedency over all others; and to Iphitus, king of Elis, they owe their revival—for their origin is lost in the obscurity of remote ages. The Eleans obtained the direction and management, by the united consent of Greece; and their territory, on this account, was deemed inviolable. They founded their prosperity on the cultivation of peace; and, on sacred ground, raised a temple dedicated to Jupiter, which inclosed them within the pale of its protecting influence.

“The temple,” (says Strabo, lib. viii.) “stands in the Pisæan division, little less than three hundred stadia distant from Elis. Before it is a grove of wild olives, within which lies the Olympic stadium.” The temple was magnificent. It was built of beautiful marble, in the Doric order, and surrounded by a colonade[1]. It was ornamented by the finest productions of art—the genius of the sculptor and painter having adorned the sacred edifice[2]. But the Stadium was no more than a terrace of earth, the area of which was six hundred and thirty-eight feet in length. On the one side was erected the seat of the Hellanodics, or judges; and on the other, an altar of white marble, upon which the priestess of Ceres, and her virgins, had the privilege of viewing the games. At the farther extremity was the barrier, where those who contended in the SIMPLE FOOT-RACE began their course; and there also was situated the tomb of Endymion[3].

The Stadium was appropriated to the exhibition of those games denominated Gymnastic; and they consisted of five different exercises, viz.

1st, Running, or Foot-racing.

2d, Leaping.

3d, Wrestling.

4th, Throwing the Discus; and,

5th, Boxing, or Pancratia.

The FOOT-RACE was the most ancient, and claimed a pre-eminence over the other sports; the Olympiads being distinguished by the name of the victor who obtained the prize in this game.—But as our subject is particularly connected with this branch of the ancient gymnastics, we shall treat it more fully in the sequel.

Leaping consisted in projecting the body by a sudden spring, in which the competitors endeavoured to surpass each other in the length of their leap. Their bodies were poised and impelled forwards by weights of lead suspended in their hands; and it is said, that Phaulus of Cretona acquired such proficiency in this exercise as to leap fifty-two feet.

Wrestling.—This art required both strength and agility. The wrestlers were matched by lot; and the prize belonged to him who had thrice thrown his adversary on the ground. They rubbed their bodies with oil to elude the grasp, and to prevent too profuse perspiration.

Throwing the Discus.—This sport consisted in throwing a globular mass of iron, brass, or stone, under the hand, in the manner of the English quoit. It tried the strength of the arms; and the length of the cast decided the claims of the competitors.

Boxing, or the Pancratia.—This combat was performed either by the naked fist, or with the addition of the Cæstus, which was made of straps of leather, lined with metal. Boxing was one of the most dangerous of the gymnastic contests, and frequently terminated in maiming, or death.

Judges called Hellanodics were appointed to preside at the Olympic festival; and their office conveyed great authority. They inflicted corporal punishments and pecuniary penalties on those who infringed the Olympic laws: and that vast assembly of combatants and spectators, which was composed of men of every rank and degree, was thus kept in order and regularity. For ten centuries, religion and custom consecrated their powerful influence to the maintenance of the sacred games—the period of their revival by Iphitus, being seven hundred and seventy-six years before the birth of Christ. The duration of this institution shews its perfect organization, and that, while it comprized so many different states, its laws were administered with justice and impartiality.

The games were celebrated every fifth year; and the candidates for the Olympic crown, termed Athletæ, were obliged, previously, to enter their names, that they might be known to the Hellanodics, and their pretensions to the honor of competition investigated. Ten months of preparatory training were requisite; of which one was devoted to exercise in the stadium in the presence of the judges, in order to qualify the competitor for the arduous trial; and FREE citizens only, whose characters were irreproachable, and who, in other respects, had complied with the rules of the institution, were permitted to contend. So important was the prize of victory, that none but men of spotless reputation were allowed to enter the lists, which were carefully guarded against the intrusion of unworthy or improper persons.

The games lasted five days, and commenced with the FOOT-RACE, which was the first in order, and the highest in estimation of all the gymnastic exercises.

At first, the race, as instituted by Iphitus, was SIMPLE. It consisted of running once from the barrier to the goal, or from the one extremity of the stadium to the other. But in the fourteenth Olympiad, the Diaulus was introduced, which, as the word implies, was double the former distance. The runners in this race turned round the goal, and finished their course at the barrier, whence they had started. In the next Olympiad, the Dolichus, or LONG COURSE, was added, which consisted of six, twelve, or twenty-four stadia, or in doubling the goal three, six, or twelve times.

In the simple foot-race, fleetness or agility only was required; but in the long course, strength of body, and command of WIND, were indispensable to enable the candidate to gain the prize. Strength and agility are seldom united in the same person; yet there are some modern examples of the union of both; and, in antiquity, Leonidas of Rhodes obtained the triple crown, in four Olympiads, and was thus distinguished in the list of conquerors by twelve victories[4].

The competitors in the gymnastic exercises contended naked; but in the sixty-fifth Olympiad, the race of ARMED MEN was introduced, as particularly applicable to the duties of war: and, according to Pausanias, lib. v. twenty-five brass bucklers were kept in a temple at Olympia for the purpose of equipping the candidates, who wore also helmets and bucklers. Damaretus gained the first victory in this race, which in no respect differed from the stadium, or simple foot-race, but that the Athletæ were covered with armour.

While the runners waited the sound of the trumpet as the signal to start, they exercised themselves by various feats of agility, and short experimental excursions.

“They try, they rouse their speed with various arts,

“Their languid limbs they prompt to act their parts,

“And with bent hams, amid the practis’d crowd,

“They sit; now strain their lungs, and shout aloud;

“Now a short flight, with fiery steps they trace,

“And with a sudden stop abridge the mimic race.”

When the signal was given, the racers ran with amazing rapidity. They “seemed on feathered feet to fly,” and the first who arrived at the goal was declared the victor.

So highly were gymnastics estimated in Greece, that the most liberal rewards, and the most flattering honors, were bestowed on the victors, whose glory shed a lustre around their friends, their parents, and their country.

The Olympic crown was composed of the branches of the wild olive; but the pine, the parsley, and the laurel, were the symbols appropriated to the several solemnities of the sacred games at the Isthmus, Nemea, and Delphi. This reward, however, was only a pledge of the many honors, immunities, and privileges, consequent of the glory of being crowned. To excite the emulation of the competitors, these crowns were laid on a tripod which was placed in the middle of the stadium, where also were exposed branches of PALM, which the conquerors received at the same time, to carry in their hands, as emblems of their invincible vigour of body and mind[5].

The ceremony of investing the victors with this distinguished prize, was attended with great solemnity. The conquerors were called by proclamation to the tribunal of the Hellanodics, where the Herald placed a crown of olive upon the head of each of them, and gave into his hand a branch of the palm. Thus adorned with the trophies of victory, they were led along the stadium preceded by trumpets; and the herald proclaimed with a loud voice, their own names, and those of their fathers, and country; and specified the particular exercise in which each of them had gained the victory.

Although the Hellanodics could bestow no other reward than the Olive Chaplet, which was merely a symbol, yet the shouts of applause from the spectators, and the congratulations of relatives, friends, and assembled countrymen, formed a meed that gratified the ambition of the conquerors. Sacrifices were made in honor of the victors, and entertainments were given, in which they presided, or were otherwise eminently distinguished. In the Prytaneum, or town-hall of Olympia, a banqueting-room was set apart for the special purpose of entertaining them; and odes composed for the occasion were sung by a Chorus, accompanied with instrumental music[6].

There can be nothing more gratifying to laudable ambition, than the idea that great actions shall be handed down to posterity. To perpetuate, therefore, the glory of these victories, the names of the conquerors were recorded in a public register, which specified the exercise in which each had excelled: and the privilege of erecting their statues in the Sacred Grove of Jupiter, was the last and highest honor which the Hellanodics could grant to the Olympic victors.

But upon arriving in their native cities, the conquerors were far more distinguished than at Olympia; and more substantial rewards were conferred upon them. They enjoyed the honor of a triumphal entry; and temples and altars, dedicated to them, were erected at the public expense. They were thus immortalized by what was deemed the perfection of glory. “To conquer at Olympia,” says Cicero, “was greater and more glorious than to receive the honors of a Roman triumph.”

The importance which the Greeks attached to the Olympic games may be deduced from the care with which they instructed their youth in the gymnastic exercises. There was scarcely a town of any consideration in Greece, or in her colonies settled along the coasts of Asia and Africa—in the Ionian and Ægean islands—in Sicily and in Italy, in which there was not a Gymnasium, or school of exercise, maintained at the public expense.

The Gymnasia were spacious buildings, of a square or oblong form, surrounded on the outside with piazzas, and containing in the inside, a large area where the exercises were performed. Places for training in bad weather—porticoes, baths, chambers for oil and sand, with groves of trees, and seats, or benches, encompassed the stadium. The internal structure of these edifices was adapted to the convenience of those who frequented them, either for exercise or for pleasure; and they were the resort of rhetoricians, philosophers, and men of learning, who here read their lectures, held their disputations, and recited their several productions[7].

The moral and political influence of the Olympic games was acknowledged by the legislators of Greece; and accordingly, they were encouraged and protected by laws so strict, that for more than ten centuries they attracted the particular attention of the civilized world; and, amidst the revolutions of states and empires, they seemed to stand on a basis of perpetual duration. To gain the Olympic crown was the great object of solicitude, as it reflected the highest honor, not on the individual alone who obtained the prize, but also on the country which gave him birth. But to qualify the candidate for the combat, a long course of training was requisite; and in every city, the youth were instructed in the different branches of the gymnastic science, and regularly exercised by proper masters.

The republics of Greece were warlike in their constitution; and they were eager to form the bodies, as well as the minds of their youth. The importance of the athletic exercises was apparent to those who understood the nature of the human frame, which, from experience, they knew could be strengthened by the practice of the gymnasium, at the same time that the mind was invigorated by consequent health and soundness in the body. We may therefore consider the sacred games of Greece rather as a military institution, than a religious festival; and that the worship of the gods, although combined with the sports of the Stadium and Hippodrome, was only a secondary object, calculated to impress on the minds of the people a higher idea of their value and importance. In the ancient world, as well as in modern times, religion has been made a tool to promote state artifices; and the legislators of Greece knew too well the influence of superstition, to reject its powerful aid in the construction of their political establishments.

As a civil and military institution, the sacred games were attended by the happiest consequences. They presented a prize to the emulous youth, accompanied by such honors as powerfully stimulated their endeavours to acquire that proficiency in the gymnastic sports, which could only be obtained by frequent practice in the schools of their respective cities. The Athenians devoted nearly a third part of the year to such amusements; and from the number of Olympic victors whose national designations are recorded by ancient writers, we may suppose, that the other states of Greece were no less zealous in the exercises of the gymnasium[8].

To prepare men for the business of war, was the grand object of these institutions.—The Greeks were divided into small independent states, which were constantly embroiled with one another; and their strength was founded on the number and discipline of the troops they could respectively bring into the field. To increase the number of fighting men, and to train them in the most effectual manner, was, therefore, the principal object of the different governments. By learning and practising the gymnastic exercises, their youth were inured to toil, and rendered healthy, hardy, vigorous, and active. They were prepared for all the duties of war. Neither the inclemency of the weather, nor the scorching beams of the sun could affect them, as their bodies by continual exercise had become more robust, and less liable to be injured, than the natural frame of ordinary men.

The Grecian manner of fighting required both strength and agility, as the long spear of the “firm phalanx” could not be easily wielded, and the occasionally rapid marches of the Greek armies over a rugged country, sufficiently evince the utility of active habits. To the PRACTICE of the gymnasia, the Greeks owe all the glory they acquired in war; and it was the opinion of Plato, “that every well constituted republic ought, by offering prizes to the conquerors, to encourage all such exercises as tend to increase the strength and agility of the body[9].”

The admirable symmetry of the Grecian statues, establishes, beyond controversy, the just proportions and great beauty of their prototypes; and to the education of their youth, we must ascribe the fine forms of the Greek people, who, by avoiding idleness and dissipation, and by mingling exercise with amusement, created, as it were, an improved race of men. In a moral point of view, then, the gymnastics of the ancients were of the utmost importance. They furnished occupation to all those who were not engaged in laborious employments, or in the service of the state;—who were exempted from the drudgery of business by their affluent condition; and, indeed, to every man who had a vacant hour to devote to amusement or exercise. The gymnasia may be termed schools for morality, as they contributed to diminish vice, and to increase virtue: they served the double purpose of strengthening the good, and weakening the bad, propensities of human nature.

They who aimed at eminence in the gymnastic exercises were compelled to observe temperance and sobriety, which greatly promoted the health and vigour of the body. Every thing enervating was forbidden; and the pleasures of the table, or sensual indulgence of any kind, rendered the Athletæ unfit for the severe exercise of the gymnasia. Horace remarks, (Art. Poet. ver. 412,) that,

“A youth who hopes the Olympic prize to gain,

All arts must try, and ev’ry toil sustain;

Th’ extremes of heat and cold must often prove,

And shun the weak’ning joys of wine and love.”

In a voluptuous climate, the propensity to vicious indulgence is natural and powerful; but among the Greeks, it was counteracted by the firm organization which they acquired by perpetual exercise; and the universality of the games diffused among the whole people the important advantages of the institution.

Corporeal excellence, however, was not the only benefit which the Greeks derived from the Athletic exercises. The powers of the mind were also strengthened and augmented, and that courage which depends on the nerves was improved to the highest pitch. The undaunted spirit of the Greeks appalled their enemies; and the most signal exploits in the field of battle were performed by those who had previously obtained the Olympic crown[10]. The love of glory is the greatest incentive to splendid actions; and the Sacred Games fostered a passion that could easily be transferred from the gymnasia to the contests in the field. One Grecian could conquer ten Persians, for his body was robust, and his mind was brave; and Honor was the sole reward which he courted.

It is related by Herodotus, (lib. viii. c. 25.) that when Xerxes invaded Greece, he found the Grecians employed in celebrating the Olympic festival, and that the prize which they contended for, was no more than—A CHAPLET OF WILD OLIVE. Tigranes, the son of Artabanus, exclaimed, “Alas, Mardonius! against what kind of men have you led us to fight! men who engage in a contest with each other, not for gold and silver, but only for a superiority of virtue and glory!”

The physical, political, and moral influence of the gymnastic exercises on the bodies and minds of the Greeks, was thus evinced by their superior beauty and strength—their strict observance of the laws of their country—their bravery in war—and by their temperance, sobriety, and industry, in civil life.

Of all the Olympic games, the FOOT-RACE, as we have previously remarked, held the foremost rank. Homer distinguishes Achilles by the epithet “swift of foot;” and, whether as conducive to health, useful in the affairs of life, or important in the operations of war, pedestrian exercises must be considered as of the utmost consequence to mankind. The human frame is peculiarly calculated for activity and exertion; and it should be remembered, that it is by Exercise and Labour that man is enabled to preserve his health, increase his strength, improve the faculties of his mind, and procure his subsistence.

Among the ancient Greeks and Romans, there were runners of great celebrity; and the rapid marches of their armies on various emergencies, shew how much they were habituated to pedestrian exercises. Two thousand Lacedemonians marched from Sparta to Attica in three days—a distance of twelve hundred stadia—to assist the Athenians at the battle of Marathon. Phidippides ran seven hundred and fifty stadia in the space of two days, which was deemed a most extraordinary effort, until Philonides, the runner of Alexander the Great, accomplished twelve hundred stadia in one day, from Sicyone to Ellis. In the reign of Nero, a boy of nine years of age, ran seventy-five thousand paces, between noon and night[11].

Although the modern governments of Europe have not hitherto afforded any patronage to gymnastic exercises, yet pedestrianism has been brought to great perfection by spirited individuals, especially in Britain. Exploits more extraordinary than any on the records of antiquity have been accomplished in this country; and it shall be our duty in the next and succeeding chapters, to give a particular account of these astonishing performances.

CHAPTER II.
MODERN PEDESTRIANISM.

Since the remote period of Greek and Roman prosperity, nothing analagous to the Olympic games has been exhibited in Europe, if we except modern horse-racing, which bears a faint resemblance; or, perhaps, the tournaments of the middle ages, which presented a nearer similitude.

Although the art of war be now different, in some respects, from that which was practised among the ancients, it is still not less requisite in the present than in former times, to strengthen the physical and intellectual powers of the soldier. To endure the vicissitudes of climates and seasons—to bear cold, hunger, and thirst—to perform long marches under the inclemency of the weather—and to preserve his spirit unbroken amidst the tumult of the battle, are the severe duties of his profession. It is by Exercise that the soldier is gradually inured to the hardships of the field; and the importance of preparatory training was well known to the ancients, who accordingly converted the amusements of the people into a course of military discipline. The exercises of the gymnasia prepared the youth for the fatigues of the campaign, by strengthening their bodies, and invigorating their minds; and they accomplished those brilliant achievements which stand unrivalled in the page of history.

It is justly remarked by Dr. West[12], “that a wise and prudent governor of a state may dispose the people to such sports and diversions as may render them more serviceable to the public; and that, by impartially bestowing a few HONORARY PRIZES upon those who should be found to excel in any CONTEST he shall think proper to appoint, he may excite in the husbandman, the manufacturer, and the mechanic, as well as in the soldier and the sailor, and men of superior orders and professions, such an emulation as may tend to promote industry, encourage trade, improve the knowledge and wisdom of mankind, and consequently make his country victorious in war, and, in peace, opulent and happy.”

It is admitted, that the new levies in the British army are diminished more by fatigue, than by the sword of the enemy. Our regiments are gradually wasted by sickness and disease, for they are not fitted by a course of preparatory training, to undergo those hardships to which they are unavoidably exposed; and the sudden transition from a life of ease to that of great activity, too frequently proves fatal to men of feeble bodies and weak constitutions. Were the practice of the ancients imitated, by the erection of schools for gymnastic exercises, and our young soldiers subjected to a process of training, the lives of many of them would be saved to their country, and the efficient strength of our army greatly augmented.

Mr. Edgeworth, while treating on military education, says, “As to EXERCISE and AMUSEMENTS for the pupils in a military academy, they should all be calculated to promote and sustain manly dispositions. The judicious Sully recommends, in the strongest manner, to military youth, those sports and exercises which form a graceful carriage, and give strength to the limbs.”—‘I was,’ says he, ‘always of the same opinion as Henry IV. concerning these exercises. He often asserted, that they were the most solid foundation, not only of discipline, and other military virtues, but also of those noble sentiments, and that elevation of mind which gives one nation pre-eminence over another.’

“A military school should have annual competitions and prizes for foot-races, leaping, wrestling, fencing, and firing at a target. Though the prize need not be absolutely wreaths of oak or parsley, yet whatever they are, they should be more honorary than lucrative. The victors should be rewarded also with the applauses of the public, the countenance of the great, and sometimes, perhaps, with the patronage of the government.”—“All sports,” he farther observes, “without exception, that promote strength and agility, should be encouraged in our military schools[13].”

But to every man, the proper exercise of the body is an important object, as good health and spirits constitute the greatest blessing of nature, for our pleasures are derived from the capability of enjoying them. Dr. Churchill justly remarks[14], “that, in the formation of our frames, and the very nature of our constitution, it was the positive institution of Providence, to create in us an absolute necessity for exercise, in order to our well-being.” And he farther says, that “by attention to exercise, the tone and vigour of the moving powers are wonderfully increased; the nervous energy and circulation of the blood are materially accelerated; and this increased impetus of the blood through the whole system produces an effectual determination to the surface of the skin; and free perspiration is the consequence. By the same means, the body is disposed to sleep; the appetite increased; the tone of the stomach and digestive powers preserved; and the blood is determined from the internal viscera, which prevents as well as removes obstructions, and powerfully obviates the tendency to a plethoric fulness of the system. By exercise, the spirits are enlivened, and the body refreshed; or, as Hippocrates observes, it gives strength to the body, and vigour to the mind; and it is an irrefragable truth, that where it is improperly neglected, the energy and strength of the whole machine falls to decay.”

To the authority of Dr. Churchill, may be added that of the celebrated Dr. Willich, who, in the Seventh Chapter of his Lectures on Diet and Regimen, (p. 441-2,) observes, that “motion, or bodily exercise, is necessary to the preservation of health, which is promoted, while the bounds of moderation are not exceeded. Too violent exercise, or a total want of it, are attended with equal disadvantages. Much also depends on the kind of motion, and the various postures of the body.

“The essential advantages of exercise are the following: Bodily strength is increased; the circulation of the blood and all other fluids promoted; the necessary secretions and excretions are duly performed; the whole mass of the blood is cleared and refined, so that it cannot stagnate in the minutest capillary vessels; and if any obstruction should begin to take place, it will thus be effectually removed.

“That exercise is enjoined by Nature, we may learn from the whole structure of the human body; the number of muscles formed for motion; and the mechanism in the circulation of the blood itself. There are indeed no healthier people than those who take strong daily exercise. Man in a state of health is instinctively excited to muscular exertion; and children that are perfectly healthy, are constantly running about, and in almost uninterrupted motion.”

Pedestrianism affords the best species of exercise, and may be said to include much that is valuable to mankind. Those distinguished persons, therefore, who by their example, have rendered this branch of the gymnastic art FASHIONABLE and GENERAL, deserve the highest praise. To Captain Barclay, Captain Agar, Captain Acres, Lieutenant Fairman, and many other gentlemen, this country is greatly indebted for their improvement of this art. It is only the thoughtless and inconsiderate part of the community that does not discover the benefits resulting from the exploits of such celebrated professors, because they cannot estimate the ultimate consequences of individual exertion. But reflecting people must perceive that, in time, desultory efforts may be reduced into a system founded on principles calculated to strengthen and preserve both the health of our bodies, and the energy of our minds, thus facilitating the acquisition of human knowledge.

Exercise on foot is allowed to be the most natural and perfect, as it employs every part of the body, and effectually promotes the circulation of the blood through the arteries and veins.—“Walking,” says Dr. Willich[15], “the most salutary and natural exercise, is in the power of every body; and we can adapt its degree and duration to the various circumstances of health. By this exercise the appetite and perspiration are promoted; the body is kept in proper temperament; the mind is enlivened; the motion of the lungs is facilitated; and the rigidity of the legs arising from too much sitting, is relieved. The most obstinate diseases, and the most troublesome hysteric and hypochondriacal complaints, have been frequently cured by perseverance in walking.”

Pedestrian feats, even when carried to excess, are seldom attended by any pernicious effects. The exhaustion occasioned by severe exercise is only temporary; for the wearied frame is speedily recruited by the luxury of rest and refreshment. But certain rules may be observed, which will render walking both easy and agreeable. A light, yet firm and manly step, an erect posture, especially in regard to the head, the breast, and the shoulders, should be the chief objects of attainment. By care and attention a person may thus learn to walk gracefully, and with little bodily fatigue[16].

Early and constant practice gradually forms the pedestrian for the accomplishment of the greatest undertakings: but even in the common intercourse subsisting in society, facility of walking is requisite for individual conveniency and comfort. It should, therefore, be the study of people of all ranks, to adopt the best method of performing either short or long journies, by imitating the GAIT and MANNER of those celebrated men, who, of late years, have so eminently distinguished themselves in the annals of the sporting world.

The extraordinary exploits of modern pedestrians have been generally encouraged by the patronage of men of fortune and rank; and FOOT-MATCHES being made the subject of discussion, a difference of opinion gives occasion for wagers. Although it was maintained by Sir Charles Banbury, and some other eminent sportsmen, that a bet should not be taken on a FOOT-RACE; yet, in reason, there can be no legitimate objection to such things, as whatever may be deemed doubtful, or of uncertain result, must be a fair subject of betting.

Many astonishing feats of pedestrianism have been accomplished during the last and present century; but it does not suit the limits of this work to record the whole of them, or even to enumerate all the exploits of every person who has been distinguished.—We can only relate the most conspicuous performances of those who have acquired celebrity by their general success, and whose matches, either against others, or against time, have attracted public attention. It would fill volumes to particularize every WALK or RACE that exceeds the power of ordinary men; and, therefore, we shall confine our narration to matches of difficult accomplishment. Accordingly, and for the purpose of perspicuity, we have thought proper generally to arrange them into different classes.

First, Matches of several days continuance, and which required great strength and perseverance.

Secondly, Those which were accomplished in one day, and shewed great strength and agility.

Thirdly, Those which were performed in one or more hours, and required good wind, and great agility; and,

Lastly, Those completed in seconds, or in minutes, and showed great swiftness.

In accomplishing long matches against time, it must be observed, that considerable speed is fully as requisite as strength; for no man could walk a hundred miles in one day, if he were not able to go for several hours at the rate of six miles an hour; and it will be found, in general, that those who have performed great distances, were also remarkable for agility and swiftness.

Robert Bartley, of Hutford in Norfolk, who was born anno 1719, was distinguished in his youth for extraordinary speed; and, when an old man, frequently walked from Thetford to London in one day—a distance of eighty-one miles—and returned the next. He was well known among the sporting men of Newmarket as a great walker, and died in the sixty-sixth year of his age.

Reed, the noted pedestrian of Hampshire, in 1774, ran ten miles within an hour, at the Artillery Ground, London. In 1787, he walked one hundred miles in one day at Gosport; and on the sands of Weymouth, in 1791, he performed fifty miles in little more than nine hours.

In May 1762, Child, the miller of Wandsworth, walked forty-four miles in seven hours and fifty-seven minutes, on Wimbledon Common; and in August the same year, Mr. John Hague of Binns near Marsden, performed one hundred miles in twenty-three hours and fifteen minutes.

Mr. Foster Powell was the most celebrated pedestrian of his time; and in the performance of long journies has seldom been equalled.—In 1773, he walked from London to York, and back again, in six days, for a wager of one hundred guineas. In the same year, he beat Andrew Smith, a famous runner, on Barham Downs, in a match of one mile. In 1776, he ran two miles in ten and a half minutes, on the Lea-bridge road, but lost his match by half a minute. In September 1787, he walked from the Falstaff Inn at Canterbury to London Bridge, and back, in ten minutes less than twenty-four hours, being a distance of one hundred and nine miles. On the 8th June 1788, he set out from Hicks’ Hall on a second journey to York, and back again, which he accomplished in five days, nineteen hours, and fifteen minutes. In the July following, he walked one hundred miles in twenty-two hours. In 1790, he took a bet of twenty guineas to thirteen, that he would walk from London to York, and return, in five days and eighteen hours, which he performed in less time than was allowed, by one hour and fifty minutes. He was so fresh on his return, that he offered to walk a hundred miles the next day for a considerable wager. In the same year, he went from Hyde Park corner to Windsor, and back, in seven hours. In July 1792, he undertook to walk from London to York, and back, in five days and fifteen hours, which he accomplished within his time by an hour and twenty-five minutes. In 1792, when in the fifty-seventh year of his age, he offered to walk six miles in one hour; to run a mile in five minutes and a half; and to go five hundred miles in seven days. He required a bet of one hundred guineas on the last undertaking, and twenty guineas on either of the other two. But no person appearing to accept his offer, he afterwards declined all pedestrian performances for wagers.

This celebrated pedestrian was born in the year 1736, at Horsforth, near Leeds, in Yorkshire. He was bred to the profession of the law, and was clerk to an attorney in New Inn, London. He was beat by West of Windsor, in walking forty miles on the western road, for a wager of forty guineas. He was, however, a first-rate walker for either a long or a short journey; and his stature was no more than five feet eight inches; but his legs and thighs were stout, and well calculated for performances of this kind.

Mr. Joseph Edge, of Macclesfield in Cheshire, in 1806, when at the age of sixty-two, walked one hundred and seventy-two miles in forty-nine hours and twenty minutes. He started from the Angel Inn at Macclesfield, at twelve o’clock on Wednesday night, and arrived at the Swan with Two Necks, Ladlane, London, at twenty minutes past one on Saturday morning. This performance is remarkable from the age of the pedestrian, who walked at the rate of three miles, three furlongs, thirty-five perches, and 11/74ths feet per hour.

Long journies have been frequently performed at the rate of from fifty to eighty miles a day, for four, six, eight, ten, or more successive days, which have evinced the great strength and perseverance of the pedestrians.

In July 1788, John Batty, when fifty-five years of age, walked seven hundred miles in fourteen days on Richmond Course. He performed this long journey at the following rate: first day, fifty-nine miles: second, fifty-five and three-quarters: third, fifty-two and three-quarters: fourth, fifty-one: fifth, fifty-one: sixth, fifty-one: seventh, forty-three: eighth, forty-two and three-quarters: ninth, forty-four and three-quarters: tenth, fifty-one: eleventh, fifty-one: twelfth, fifty-four and a half: thirteenth, fifty-one: and on the fourteenth day, thirty-six miles and a quarter, having finished the whole distance within five hours of the time allowed.

In 1792, Mr. Eustace walked from Liverpool to London in four days. He was then seventy-seven years of age, and the distance exceeds two hundred miles. On a journey from Chester to London, when eleven years younger, he went ninety miles the first day.

Mr. Downes is well known as a first-rate pedestrian. In February 1808, he walked four hundred miles in ten days for a bet of a hundred guineas. He was greatly fatigued by the exertion; and his weight was reduced more than two stones. He performed thirty-five miles a day for twenty successive days, without much difficulty. He walked twenty miles in two hours and forty minutes, on the 11th of July 1809. He matched himself to go thirty miles in three hours and a quarter, for a bet of one hundred guineas; but the task was evidently beyond his power, and he failed in the undertaking. He was more fortunate, however, in a match with the celebrated Captain Aiken, which took place this year, on the 26th September, at Thorpe, in Hampshire. The bet was, which of them should go the greater distance in forty-eight hours. They started together at the extremities of a piece of ground of five miles, and met each other. Mr. Downes walked ninety miles the first day, and rested two hours. His adversary went eighty-eight miles, and had only an hour to rest. On the second day, Mr. Downes had accomplished seventy-two miles, and had five hours to spare. Captain Aiken had done only fifty-six in the same time, and therefore resigned the match.

In April 1808, Mr. Podgers walked four hundred miles in eight successive days, for a wager of two hundred guineas. He started at Basingstoke, and from Hampshire went into the counties of Wilts, Gloucester, Somerset, Sussex, and Kent, finishing at Maidstone. He walked twelve hours each day, and slept eight. His weight was fourteen stones, and he did not appear the least fatigued at any period of the journey.

Mr. Dowler, a publican at Towcester, Northamptonshire, walked five hundred miles in seven successive days, for a bet of one hundred guineas. He started on the 3d of November 1808, and finished on the 9th, at three o’clock in the afternoon.

Captain Howe is a celebrated pedestrian, and walked three hundred and forty-six miles in six days, for a wager of two hundred guineas. He started on the 8th of March 1808, at four in the morning, to go from London to Exeter, and made out sixty-four miles by nine at night, having stopped at Basingstoke for an hour. On the following day he walked seventy miles; and on the third day, arrived at Exeter to dinner, where he stopt three hours, but returned to Honiton to sleep. On the fourth day, he reached within nine miles of Salisbury; and on the fifth night, slept at a public house near Basingstoke. He had now forty-nine miles to perform on the sixth day, which accomplished by six o’clock in the evening. Captain Howe, on the 28th of the same month, gained a match of two hundred guineas against Captain Hewetson, having walked eighty miles in less than twenty-four hours.—He also beat Mr. Smith in a twenty mile race on the Uxbridge road, about the end of October 1809. Mr. Smith was the favourite before starting; but Captain Howe performed the distance in two hours and twenty minutes, beating his adversary by half a mile.

On the 9th of June 1812, Captain Howe undertook to go sixty miles in twelve hours for a wager of two hundred guineas. He started at four o’clock in the morning, and did half the distance in twelve minutes less than six hours. He continued at the rate of five miles in the hour, and won the match within ten minutes of the time allowed.

Mr. Canning, a gentleman in Hampshire, walked three hundred miles in less than five days. He started at the turnpike road four miles from Basingstoke, at four in the morning, and went sixty miles in fourteen hours. He finished his task two miles from Yeovil in Somersetshire, by eleven at night, on the fifth day. He was apparently so little fatigued, that probably he could have continued for several days; but in the course of the journey, he lost twenty-six pounds in weight.

Mr. Rimmington, a farmer at Holt near Dorchester, in October 1811, walked five hundred and sixty miles in seven days, at the rate of eighty miles a day, for a wager of two hundred guineas. He was much emaciated by this extraordinary exertion, and became very lame towards the close.

Lieutenant Halifax, of the Lancashire militia, walked two miles an hour for one hundred successive hours, near Tiverton in Devon, in March 1808. This was a great performance, as he could not have more than fifty minutes rest at one time, during four days and nights. He was much distressed: his legs were swollen, and his whole frame was exhausted. His courage, however, never failed him; and he completed the task amidst the shouts of the multitude that this extraordinary experiment had attracted.

Thomas Savager, who died in 1809, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, was a noted pedestrian, although only five feet and four inches in stature, and lame from his youth. In 1789, he undertook to walk four hundred and four miles, in six days. The scene of his performance was on the turnpike road from Hereford through Leominster to Ludlow; and he won his wager within five hours of the time allowed. When the superfluous ground over which he walked to his lodgings at Hereford, Ludlow, &c. was added, it was found that he had walked not less than four hundred and twenty-nine miles in five days and nineteen hours.

On the 18th of September 1811, Mr. Mealing, a gentleman of fortune in Somersetshire, started to go five hundred and forty miles, at the rate of thirty miles a day, for eighteen successive days, and to perform the distance in eighteen different counties, which he accomplished, and won five hundred guineas. He was reduced from fourteen stone eight pounds, to twelve stone four pounds.

To walk one hundred miles within twenty-four hours may be considered an extraordinary exertion; but that distance has been performed in that time by several people: and a great deal more has been accomplished by some of our most celebrated pedestrians.

Mr. Oliver, in July 1811, walked one hundred miles in twenty-three hours and fifty minutes. He was much fatigued, but that he was not entirely exhausted, was apparent from his going the last ten miles in two hours.—Mr. Edward Millen, in July the previous year, accomplished the same distance in twenty-three hours and twenty-five minutes.—But we shall have occasion afterwards to record more difficult performances than these; and, in the meantime, shall take notice of the feats of such pedestrians as have evinced uncommon strength and agility, and who have been distinguished by walking a long distance in a short time.

In September this year (1812), Jonathan Waring, a Lancashire pedestrian, performed one hundred and thirty-six miles in thirty-four hours, for a wager of one hundred guineas. He started from London to go to Northampton, and return. He went the first fifty-five miles in twelve hours, and half the distance in fourteen hours and a half. After resting an hour and a half, he started on his return, and accomplished the whole distance in three minutes less than the time allowed. He was excessively fatigued.

But Glanville, a Shropshire man, accomplished a more extraordinary performance in the year 1806. He walked one hundred and forty-two miles on the Bath road in twenty-nine hours and three-quarters. He started from the 14th mile-stone to go to the 85th, and back, at seven in the morning, on the 26th of December, and arrived at his journey’s end next day, at a quarter before one o’clock in the afternoon. He went off at the rate of six miles an hour, and reached Twyford at five minutes past ten, where he took a basin of soup. He refreshed again at Marlborough, and arrived at the 85th mile-stone at ten minutes past eight in the evening. This part of his journey was performed at the average rate of nearly five miles and a half an hour. He returned a few miles on his way back, and refreshed himself on a bed for an hour and a half, and reached Reading at a quarter past six in the morning of the 27th. He had now twenty-five miles to go in five hours and three-quarters, and appeared to be much fatigued. After remaining twenty minutes, he renewed his task, and arrived at his journey’s end at a quarter before one o’clock—winning, with great difficulty, by a quarter of an hour.

This performance is the most extraordinary upon record, and bets were seven to four, and two to one against him; but his strength and perseverance overcame every difficulty, and thus enabled him to accomplish the astonishing exploit.

On Friday, the 20th July 1804, John Bell, Esq. engaged to walk from Brook Green to Hammersmith—a distance of fifty-eight miles—in fourteen hours, for a bet of two hundred guineas; which he performed, with apparent ease, in thirteen hours, and forty-five seconds.—A distance of sixty miles was performed on the 18th of September, the same year, by a butcher of Whitechapel, in eleven hours and a quarter, for a bet of seventeen guineas.

On the 14th of August 1807, a distance of sixty-nine miles was performed near Lyndhurst, in twelve hours, by Wall, a hawker, on the Bath road. He was matched against Campbell of Dowton, Wilts, a man of local notoriety. The pedestrians started about four miles from Christ Church, at eleven o’clock, morning. By four, Wall had gone thirty-five miles. He was at the same time passed by Campbell; but having rested for half an hour, he overtook his opponent by nine o’clock. A severe struggle now ensued, and they kept together until ten; when Wall made an extraordinary push, and went nearly eight miles in the last hour, beating his adversary by a mile and a half. In this match, the winner walked five miles and three-quarters per hour on the average, including the time he refreshed, which, allowing for the distance, must be considered a very extraordinary effort.

In August 1809, Captain Walsham, of the Worcestershire regiment of militia, walked the distance of sixty miles in twelve hours, with ease; and afterwards rode thirty miles on two curricle horses, in two successive hours, for a wager of one hundred and twenty guineas.

Mr. Hopper of Canterbury, walked sixty-three miles in eleven hours and thirty-nine minutes. He started from the turnpike on St. Martin’s Hill, and at the end of the first hour he had gone seven and a half miles: second hour, eleven miles, including stoppage for breakfast: third hour, and five minutes, twenty miles: fourth hour, twenty-six miles: fifth hour, thirty-four miles: sixth hour, including dinner, thirty-five miles: seventh hour, forty-one miles: eighth hour, forty-five miles: ninth hour, fifty-one miles: tenth hour, fifty-five miles: eleventh hour, sixty miles: and at thirty-eight and three-fourth minutes past the eleventh hour, he finished sixty-three miles, apparently much fatigued.

A distance of fifty miles was performed in nine hours, on the 28th of March 1811, by Clough, a groom, on the Bath road, for a wager of fifty guineas. He regularly walked six miles an hour for the first five hours; and his average rate of travelling was five miles, one half, and one ninth part of a mile, per hour.—Eighty miles, at two starts, were performed by Shoreham, a publican, on the 22d of April the same year. He started from Paddington to go to Nettlebed, Oxfordshire, and to return. He went forty miles in six hours and a half, and after resting three hours, he accomplished the other forty miles in six hours and forty minutes, having completed the distance in thirteen hours and ten minutes, which was at the rate of more than six miles per hour.

On the 15th of April 1812, Lieut. Groats undertook for a wager of two hundred guineas to go seventy-two miles in twelve hours. He went from Blackfriars road to Canterbury, and thence back to Stroud. He performed the first fourteen miles in two hours. When he had gone sixty miles he was much fatigued, but by the aid of refreshment and rubbing, he was enabled to proceed, and accomplished the distance within six minutes of the time allowed.

Six miles per hour, for any distance from twenty-four to forty miles, must be considered as very superior walking, although several of the most celebrated pedestrians have exceeded that rate.—Mr. Pearson performed thirty-seven miles in five hours and twenty-seven minutes, for a wager of one hundred guineas. He started from Pimlico to go to Datchet-bridge near Windsor, and return, at three o’clock in the morning of the 11th July 1807. He went off on a shuffling walk, and stopt at Honslow at a quarter past four, where he refreshed. He halted again at Colnbrook, at twenty-five minutes past five, and reached Datchet-bridge in fifteen minutes; half the distance having been performed in two hours and forty minutes. As he had only gained a few minutes on time, bets were three and two to one against him; but in returning, he quickened his pace, and arrived at Honslow, at twenty-seven minutes past seven o’clock, much fatigued.

On the 13th of January 1810, William Staniland walked fifty-four miles in seven hours and three-quarters, for a wager of eighty guineas. He set off from Driffield at seven in the morning to go to Hull, where he arrived at half-past ten, and having gone round the statue in the market-place, he returned to Driffield at a quarter before three, being fifteen minutes within the time allowed.

Mr. Yardly accomplished forty-two miles in six hours and ten minutes, which was nearly at the rate of seven miles an hour on the average. He started in the morning of the 12th of June, and went twenty-one miles in three hours; nineteen miles and a half in the other three hours; and the remaining mile and a half in ten minutes.

Thomas Miller, of Cowford in Sussex, on the 7th of July 1795, walked from the market-house at Horsham to Westminster Bridge—a distance of thirty-six miles—in five hours and fifty minutes, with apparent ease.

John Jones, a Welchman, and William Williams, a Lancashire man, ran thirty miles on the Hereford road, on Monday the 12th of June 1809, for a wager of five hundred guineas. Williams had the better of his antagonist for the first twenty miles; but Jones soon after passed him, and won the race in three hours and three-quarters.

Spence, a chairman in Paisley, went from the cross of Glasgow to Edinburgh—a distance of forty-two miles—in seven hours and twenty minutes, without much apparent fatigue.

Mr. Ensor, clerk of Highgate Chapel, undertook, in September 1806, to walk twenty-six miles in four hours, for a bet of fifty guineas. He started from the first mile-stone at Hammersmith, at seven o’clock, and went the first seven miles within the hour, and accomplished the whole distance in three hours and forty-three minutes.

On the 26th of October 1805, Mr. King, an optician, undertook to walk the same distance in the same time, for a bet of thirty guineas. He started from the first mile-stone at Hammersmith, and reached the 17th, beyond Colnbrook, in one hour and fifty minutes, and returned to the place whence he had started seventeen minutes within his time, performing the whole distance in three hours and forty-three minutes.

A bet of fifty guineas having been made between Captain Hare and Mr. Cortey of Wigmore Street, that the latter should not go from Sevenoaks to Blackfriars Bridge, in two hours and forty minutes, on the 17th of April 1809;—the pedestrian started on the day appointed, and although the weather was extremely unfavourable, he did nine miles in the first hour, and eight miles and a half in the second. He had now forty minutes to perform the remaining five miles and a half; the whole distance being twenty-three miles. But the weather was so extremely severe as to beat him to a stand-still a mile from the Bricklayers’ Arms, when he resigned.

On Friday the 4th June 1807, Mr. Stevens undertook to go from the Woolpack at St. Albans, to Finsbury Square,—a distance of twenty-one miles—in three hours, for a bet of four hundred and fifty guineas. He started at a quarter before two o’clock in the morning, and arrived at his journey’s end by four. He ran in the first hour, seven miles and a half; in the second hour, ten miles; and in the last quarter, three miles and a half.

A match for twenty miles was run on the 12th September 1809, on a piece of chosen ground near Maidenhead, between Mr. Greig and Matthew Mark, for fifty guineas a side. Mark took the lead at the rate of eight miles an hour, closely followed by his antagonist. They were equal at ten miles, having performed that distance in one hour and eight minutes. They both made play here, and at nineteen miles were together; but Mr. Greig gained by two minutes only. The race throughout was well contested; and the whole distance was accomplished in two hours and twenty minutes.

Captain Thomson of the 74th regiment, while stationed at Aberdeen in the year 1808, undertook to walk twenty-one miles in three hours. He started on the 5th of May at the 7th mile-stone on the Ellon road, returning to the 4th, until he should perform the distance, which he accomplished in four minutes and a half less than the time allowed.

On the 22d of February 1812, James Watson, a glazier, for a wager of £10, went from Whitechapel Church to Romford in Essex, and back, in three hours, the distance being twenty-three miles. He started at six o’clock, and reached Romford at twenty minutes past seven. Having refreshed ten minutes, he started again on his return, and completed the distance in four minutes less than the given time.

On the 11th of February 1812, Mr. Webber undertook, for a bet of one hundred guineas, to ride nine miles within half an hour, and to run five miles in another half hour. He started at Two-mile Brook, near Colnbrook, Bucks, and performed the nine miles in a light sulky, in four minutes less than the given time. He now started on his pedestrian match, and went four miles in a few seconds less than twenty-four minutes, labouring under great distress; but he recovered his wind, and won the match in six seconds within the time.

Mr. Froward of Berkeley-street, on the 14th of April 1812, performed thirty miles in three hours and fifty-three minutes, for a wager of twenty guineas.

CHAPTER III.
THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

To walk or run for two or three hours at the rate of eight miles an hour, may be deemed extraordinary speed, conjoined to considerable strength and command of WIND. But more than nine miles an hour have been accomplished on a distance of twenty miles; and upwards of eight on a distance of forty.

A man named Blewet from Crewkerne, Somersetshire, for a small wager, undertook to go twenty-four miles in three hours. On the 5th of September 1808, he started at four o’clock from Shoreditch Church, and reached Theobalds in Hertfordshire, at twenty minutes past six, having stopped at Edmonton four or five minutes. He refreshed, and remained here ten minutes, when he started on his return, and after stopping again at Edmonton, arrived at the starting post at fifty-two minutes past seven. Including stoppages, Blewet, who was a young man, performed the twenty-four miles in two hours and thirty-four minutes, or at the rate of more than nine miles an hour.

Mr. Harwood performed eighteen miles in two hours, on Monday the 26th of October 1811, on the Bath road, for a wager of one hundred guineas.

Rickets, the celebrated Hampshire pedestrian, ran seventeen miles in one hour and forty-nine minutes, for a wager of five guineas. The same distance was performed on the 10th of October 1807, by a man of the name of Keeley, fifty-four years of age, in one hour and fifty-seven minutes. He started at six in the morning from Shoreditch Church to go to Ponder’s End, and back again, being allowed two hours for the performance. He reached Ponder’s End at six minutes before seven, and stopped ten minutes to refresh, when he started again, and returned within three minutes of his time.

In April the same year, a young man, named Whitlock, performed the same distance in one hour and fifty minutes. He started from Shoreditch at half-past five, and reached Ponder’s End at twenty minutes past six; stopped there to refresh ten minutes, and returned to the starting post at twenty minutes past seven o’clock, having gone, exclusive of the stoppage, at the rate of somewhat more than ten miles an hour.

Twenty miles in two hours and twenty minutes have been performed by Howe, Smith, Greig, and other celebrated pedestrians.—Eighteen miles were done in one hour and fifty-three minutes by a youth of seventeen years of age, named Bentley, on the 18th of June 1810. He started from the end of Smithfield at five, and reached Whitestone ten minutes before six. After taking some refreshment, he resumed his journey back, and arrived at the starting post at seven minutes before seven o’clock.

In October 1808, Mr. Williams, steward to Mr. Crouch of Wigmore Street, undertook to go twenty miles in two hours. He started at Hammersmith, and notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather, he accomplished the task in seven minutes less than the time allowed.

The distance of ten miles within an hour has been frequently performed, and a shorter distance in proportionally less time.

About the beginning of last century, Levi Whitehead of Bramham in Yorkshire, when in the twenty-second year of his age, ran four miles over Bramham-moor in nineteen minutes, which was at the rate of somewhat more than twelve miles in an hour. He was the swiftest runner of his day, and won the buck’s head for several years at Castle Howard, given by the earl of Carlisle. The five Queen Anne’s guineas given by William Aisleby, Esq. of Studley, were won by him; on which occasion he beat ten others who were selected to start against him. He lived to the age of one hundred; and in his ninety-sixth year he frequently walked from Bramham to Tadcaster, at the rate of four miles in the hour.

In the year 1771, Chr. Orton ran from Middleham to Richmond, Yorkshire, in fifty-seven minutes. The distance is ten computed miles; the road remarkably hilly; and several horses were much distressed to keep up with him.

On the 13th of July 1793, John Barrett ran ten miles on Kersal Moor, near Manchester, for a wager of twenty guineas, against Henry Wilkinson, from Warrington in Lancashire, and beat him with ease, performing the distance in fifty-seven minutes. He also, in the month of August following, beat Wilson of Tenterden in Kent, on Barham Downs, in a match of five miles, which he accomplished in twenty-seven minutes and nine seconds.

Mr. Haselden of Milton, in August 1809, undertook to go ten miles within an hour, which he performed on the Canterbury road, between Key Street and Chalkwell, with considerable ease, in fifty-three minutes;—and Mr. O’Callagan ran the same number of miles on the Edgeware road, near the village of Kilburn, in fifty-eight minutes and forty-seven seconds.

In June 1805, a match was run on the Uxbridge road, between Lieut. Warren and Mr. Bindall, an artist, for fifty guineas. The distance was seven miles; and they started at four in the morning. The lieutenant continued to lead for four miles, when Mr. Bindall passed him, and won the bet, by leaving his opponent a quarter of a mile behind, and performing the distance in thirty-five minutes.

On the 10th of December 1808, a match for five miles took place between Mr. George Frost of Horringer, and Mr. Richard Butters of Ixworth on the Newmarket road, near Bury. The race was well contested, and won by Mr. Frost, who performed the distance in thirty minutes.

In August 1805, the distance of four miles was performed in three seconds less than twenty-one minutes, by James Farrer, of Lancashire, at Knutsford, for a wager of two hundred guineas.

Captain Parfet undertook to run four miles in twenty-four minutes at four starts, the whole however to be done within three-quarters of an hour, which he accomplished on the Hampton road, on the 27th of December 1808. He ran the first mile in five minutes and a second. After waiting five minutes he did the second mile in five minutes and a half; and the third mile in six minutes and forty-nine seconds. Having rested twenty minutes, the captain started again, and performed the fourth mile in five seconds less than the time allowed. This gentleman stands only five feet four inches, and is of thick stature.

On the 21st of July 1777, Joseph Headley of Riccal near York, ran two miles on Knavesmire, in nine minutes and forty-five seconds, for a wager of one hundred guineas. About a month before, he ran four miles over the same ground in twenty-one minutes. He was allowed to be the swiftest runner at that time in the kingdom.

Joseph Beal of Welburn Moor-houses, near Castle Howard, Yorkshire, ran two miles in nine minutes and forty-eight seconds, on the York race-course, the 9th September 1811, beating Isaac Hemsworth of Bolton in Lancashire. Beal is one of the swiftest runners in the kingdom, and he challenged all England for a four-mile match. The Lancashire men accepted it, and were allowed one month to find an antagonist, and one month for training him. The noted Abraham Wood was fixed upon as the competitor of Beal. These pedestrians accordingly started about one o’clock, on Wednesday the 13th of October. Wood took the lead, and kept it for nearly a mile, when Beal passed him with ease. Wood again headed his opponent, but before he reached the two-mile post, Beal passed him, and, keeping the lead, won the race apparently with ease, beating Wood about two hundred yards, and performing the whole distance in twenty-one minutes and eighteen seconds. Beal is a youth only nineteen years of age, five feet seven inches high, and weighs no more than nine stones and seven pounds.

To run a mile within five minutes requires great agility, and none but swift runners could accomplish it, yet that distance has frequently been performed in less time.

Mr. Wallis, a gentleman residing in Jermyn Street, ran two miles in nine minutes, at two starts, in February 1808. And on the 17th of the same month, a mile was performed at one start by Mr. E. Haslern, in four minutes and fifty seconds.—Captain Anning, on the 3d of March 1809, ran a mile in the same time near Hampton, having been matched against a man named Forbes, from Eaton, whom he beat by two hundred yards.—Captain Hewetson ran two miles on the Uxbridge road, on the 21st of March 1809, at two starts, in three seconds less than ten minutes, for a bet of fifty guineas.—A mile was performed in four minutes and ten seconds, by John Todd, a Scotchman, in 1803, who ran from Hyde Park corner to the first mile-stone on the Uxbridge road.

On the 2d of May 1809, a match took place in Bayswater Fields, between Captain Dacre and Mr. Dawes, for a mile. The bet was twenty guineas on the contest between them, and another twenty that the captain should not go the distance in five minutes. They started at the fire of a pistol, and ran together until within a hundred yards of the end, when the captain made a push, and won by about two lengths, the performance having occupied four minutes and fifty-six seconds.

Mr. Francis Martin, Tewkesbury, ran half a mile in two minutes and eight seconds, for a wager of one hundred guineas. The time allowed was two minutes and a half. Bets were two to one against him at starting, but he accomplished the task apparently with ease.

On Friday the 6th July 1804, a well contested match for a mile, took place between Lord Frederic Bentinck, and the Hon. Edward Harbord, for a bet of one hundred guineas. The ground chosen, was from the second to the third mile stone on the Edgeware road; and they started about three o’clock, P. M. The race was closely run for more than half the way, when Mr. Harbord, owing to superior strength, gained considerably on his antagonist, whom he left at a great distance behind. The mile was accomplished in five minutes and a few seconds. On Tuesday following, his lordship ran a match against Mr. Mellish over the Beacon Course for fifty guineas, which he also lost by about fifty yards; Mr. Mellish having performed the distance in thirty-eight minutes and ten seconds.

On the 1st of June the following year, Mr. Harbord again entered the lists as a swift runner, against Lord F. Beauclerk. They started in Lord’s cricket-ground; but the distance being only a hundred yards, and his lordship getting the advantage at first, Mr. Harbord was unable to make up in so short a space, and lost the match by two yards.—But he afterwards ran the same distance against Mr. Lambert, whom he beat almost without a struggle. On the 15th of July 1807, Lord F. Beauclerk beat the Hon. Mr. Brand in a short race, in Lord’s cricket-ground, the latter gentleman becoming quite WINDED[17] before he had run fifty paces.

The Hon. Colonel Douglas of the Forfarshire militia, is a swift runner. He accomplished a mile within five minutes, and has performed shorter distances with great celerity.

Curley, better known by the title of the Brighton Shepherd, is a swift runner for a short space. He ran a mile at four starts in four minutes, on Clapham Common, in October 1807. He was beat, however, by Grinley the boot-closer. They ran a match, in November 1805, of one hundred and twenty yards, on the walk leading to the gates of Kensington Garden, which was accomplished in twelve seconds and a half, Grinley beating his antagonist by half a yard. On the 25th of August next year, they again ran one hundred and twenty yards at Hampton Court Green, for a bet of one hundred and twenty guineas, which Grinley also gained by two yards, performing the distance in twelve seconds. Curley was more fortunate in a match which took place on the 22d of June 1807, with Cooke the soldier, whom he beat by two yards, on a distance of one hundred and forty.

Cooke performed two hundred yards in twenty seconds, on the 19th September 1808. He entered into a match with a gentleman of the name of Williams, to run that distance in Lord’s cricket-ground, for a wager of fifty guineas. They both started at the same instant, and kept together for the first hundred yards, when Cooke took the lead until they did fifty more. Mr. Williams then came up with him, and they ran elbow to elbow for another forty yards. Cooke again took the lead, and kept it to the winning-post, beating his adversary by a yard and a half.

Lieutenant Hawkey, and Mr. Snowden of Nottingham Street, ran a well contested match on the 14th of November 1808, for a bet of fifty guineas, which was gained by the latter gentleman.—And Skewball, the famous Lancashire shepherd, performed one hundred and forty yards in twelve seconds, near Hackney, in February 1808.

Captain Aiken has acquired considerable celebrity as a swift runner, and for any distance under five miles, his performances have been seldom exceeded. He undertook three matches for fifty guineas each: 1st, To run one hundred yards within twelve seconds; 2d, To go two hundred yards in twenty-eight seconds; and, 3d, To do a quarter of a mile in one minute and twenty seconds. He started on the Uxbridge road, on the 23d of June 1809; and the first match he lost by a second; the next he won with difficulty; and the third, he gained by two seconds. He performed a quarter of a mile on the Twickenham road, in one minute and fifteen seconds; and on the 26th of July 1809, he started for two bets of twenty guineas each; first, to go a mile in five minutes, and after an interval of one minute, to run a mile against Mr. Sullivan. The first he accomplished in two seconds under the time; and the second he performed in five minutes and twenty-five seconds, beating his antagonist by about one hundred yards. In the month of November the same year, he ran four miles on a spot of ground near Maidenhead, in twenty-three minutes and fifty seconds, for a wager of one hundred guineas. On the 5th January 1810, Captain Aiken beat Mr. Athol by one hundred yards on a mile, which he performed in five minutes and twelve seconds; and on the 19th of November, he did five miles in twenty-nine minutes and fifty-four seconds, for a wager of fifty guineas. He also performed one mile and a half within eight minutes, on the 4th of March 1812, at Ashford, for a bet of one hundred guineas.

Lieutenant Fairman is a noted pedestrian, but his performances are not so astonishing as those of many others, who of late years have distinguished themselves either by their great strength, or uncommon agility. He is remarkable, however, for undergoing a great deal of fatigue without any refreshment.

He took a bet of one hundred guineas with Colonel Lockhart, that he would go sixty miles in fourteen hours, on Friday the 9th November 1804. A single mile of the race-course at Ipswich was measured off, and he started at two o’clock in the morning. He went the first seventeen miles at the rate of nearly six miles an hour, when he refreshed. He then went off in good style, and did thirty-two miles, including the stoppage, in six hours. He halted here for some time, having been rubbed down with hot towels, his feet soaked in warm water, and his body bathed all over with spirits. He shifted his clothes and breakfasted. He again started about twenty minutes before nine, to perform the remaining twenty-eight miles. He went twelve miles farther, when he halted for a few seconds, and ate a piece of bread steeped in Madeira. This stage was finished in about three hours, which left him four hours and a half to the last sixteen miles. He stopt once more at the end of ten miles, and took a small piece of bread as before. He had now only six miles to go, which he did in one hour and forty-eight minutes, accomplishing the whole distance in thirteen hours and thirty-three minutes.

During the performance of this match, Lieutenant Fairman, contrary to the practice of other pedestrians, refused to take animal food. His breakfast was tea and toast, and when he stopt to refresh, he ate only a small piece of bread steeped in Madeira.

On the 12th January 1808, he performed upwards of twenty miles in four minutes less than three hours. He started from Cumberland Gate precisely at eleven minutes past ten o’clock, to go to Harrow, and back, which he accomplished by seven minutes past one.

This gentleman’s style of walking is peculiar, and therefore deserves to be mentioned. “His arms are compressed, and pinioned close to his sides, and their weight is supported by a loop pendent from each shoulder, into which he places his thumbs.”

Lieutenant Fairman carried his pedestrian spirit into the regions of the torrid zone, and in defiance of a tropical climate and a vertical sun, he entered the list’s with a Mr. Grant, of the colony of Curacao, (August 1808) whom he completely ran down in two hours and twenty-five minutes, having gone upwards of eleven miles without halting or refreshing. His adversary, who is a native of the Indies, presumed on being able to bear the violence of the heat better than Mr. Fairman, and consequently appointed twelve o’clock mid-day, for the commencement of the contest. But he was mistaken, and obliged to acknowledge the superiority of the European pedestrian, who candidly confessed that although he had been successful, yet he experienced more distress from this performance than he had ever done in Europe, in accomplishing feats of infinitely greater speed and continuance.

Captain Agar may be considered one of the most celebrated pedestrians of the present day, either for a short or a long distance; and he lately accomplished a very arduous undertaking. On the 13th of June 1809, he matched himself for one hundred guineas, to go five miles within half an hour, and to walk, heel and toe, the first five minutes; which he performed on the Staines road with considerable ease. But his greatest feat was the accomplishment of fifty-nine miles in eight hours and a half, which took place on Tuesday the 7th of April 1812. He started from his residence in Kensington, to go to Blackwater in Hampshire, and return, for a stake of two hundred guineas. He arrived at Ashford Common in two hours and ten minutes (seventeen miles,) and refreshed at Englefield Green, in five minutes less than three hours from starting, (twenty-one miles.) He continued steadily going on until he did half the journey in four hours and four minutes. After being well rubbed, he resumed his undertaking, and went seven miles an hour tolerably true, but was much distressed during the last two hours. He completed the distance, however, winning his match by three minutes within time, so that the fifty-nine miles were accomplished in exactly eight hours and twenty-seven minutes.

Captain Agar also lately performed a very extraordinary undertaking. He matched himself for a bet of two hundred guineas to go three hundred miles in four days. He started from the Edgeware road on the 1st of June, and did ninety miles within the first twenty-four hours; eighty the second day; seventy-two the third; and fifty on the fourth day. He was much distressed during the last day’s performance.

Mr. Jaques, on the 3d of October 1807, walked fifty miles in eight hours, near Honslow Heath. He went nearly seven miles the first hour; thirteen, in two hours; twenty in three hours; and the remainder, in two hours. Half the distance was performed in three hours and fifty minutes; and Mr. Jaques won his match, quite fresh, although he appeared to be much fatigued when he had gone only thirty miles.

With the exception of Captain Barclay, Abraham Wood, of Mildrew in Lancashire, holds the first rank among pedestrians. He is a remarkably fine, tall, well-made man, and is not only a swift runner, but is also possessed of good WIND and great BOTTOM. In April 1802, he ran against John Brown of Yorkshire, four miles on the York course, for one hundred guineas, which he won in twenty minutes and twenty-one seconds. Wood was the favourite, and the bets were five to one on his success. Brown, however, five years before, (the 16th January 1797,) beat Wood in a race of four miles, near Knavesmire, by about a distance, having performed the whole in twenty-one minutes and thirty-five seconds. But some liquor having been given to Wood just before starting, he fell sick at the three-mile-stone, and, owing to this circumstance, it was supposed he lost the match. On the 23d of August 1802, he ran four miles for four hundred guineas, against William Williams of Ruglyn in Glamorganshire, over Lautrissent Course in Wales, which he won easily. Betting was even at starting, but after running two miles, twenty to one were offered on Wood.

On Monday the 14th of June 1806, a match for four hundred guineas was decided between Wood and Jonathan Powlitt, a famous Lancashire pedestrian, in favour of the former. The parties started to run five times round what is called the four-mile course at Doncaster; and for the first mile they ran elbow to elbow; after which, Wood took the lead for about forty yards, and continued so till nearly the four-mile winning post, when Powlitt made an exertion, passed him, and led for about ten yards, when Wood again took the lead, apparently with ease, and, passing his antagonist several yards, continued to leave him for the remaining three rounds.

Wood did not appear to be the least distressed, and ran the distance in fifty-one minutes and twenty-four seconds, Powlitt being nearly a minute longer. The distance was exactly nine miles, one-quarter, and three hundred yards; twice round the course at Doncaster being three miles, three quarters, and thirty-two yards.

The rounds were as under:

Before starting, and in returning the first round, bets were two to one on Wood; in the second round, five to two, and three to one; in the third round, five and six to one; and afterwards, twenty to one on Wood.

In October following, Wood undertook to run twenty miles in two hours and a quarter, which he performed on the Brighton course with great facility in two hours, five minutes, and a few seconds. He ran the first ten miles in one hour and one minute, which turned the betting in his favour; for at starting, it was greatly against him. A few days afterwards, he ran a quarter of a mile in a minute, and performed it with apparent ease about a second within the time.

On Thursday the 16th of April 1807, this noted pedestrian ran forty miles over Newmarket heath, in four hours and fifty-six minutes, being four minutes within the time allowed to perform the match. He ran the first eight miles in forty-eight minutes, and the first twenty miles in two hours and seven minutes. The stake, it is said, was five hundred guineas; and, during the race, the odds were two and three to one in his favour. He ran without shoes or stockings, and had only a pair of flannel drawers, and a jacket upon him. He did not at any time appear to be fatigued, and few of the riders were able to keep their horses up with him.

Wood’s next sporting performance was his match with Captain Barclay, in which he failed. But as a particular account of that match shall be given, when we treat of Captain Barclay’s performances, it is not requisite at present to notice it farther. On the 12th of May 1809, Wood gained a severe and well contested race with Shipley from Nottinghamshire. It was run over Knutsford Heath—the distance four hundred and forty yards, which was performed in fifty-six seconds; and so close were the competitors, that the judges were for some time doubtful to which of them they should assign the stake, (being two hundred guineas); but finally it was determined in favour of Wood. On the 9th September 1811, Wood ran a two-mile match with Joseph Beal, which he lost, as previously mentioned in page 76.

Of all the celebrated pedestrians of the present day, Captain Barclay is deservedly the most famous, both from the variety and difficult accomplishment of his performances;—and the next Chapter shall be devoted to his astonishing exploits, of which a particular and faithful account shall be presented to the reader.

N. B.—The Author is indebted chiefly to the Sporting Magazine, which is an entertaining and valuable publication, for the particulars relative to the pedestrians whose performances are recorded in this and the previous chapter.

TABLE containing the Names of the Pedestrians, the Distances they performed, and the Time they required, with the Year of performance, &c.

[A] Over the Beacon Course.

[B] Run with one minute interval between the two starts.

CHAPTER IV.
CAPTAIN BARCLAY’S PUBLIC AND PRIVATE MATCHES.

Captain Barclay early displayed a strong predilection for the manly sports, and when only fifteen years of age, he entered into a match with a gentleman in London to walk six miles within an hour, fair TOE AND HEEL, for one hundred guineas, which he accomplished on the Croydon road, in the month of August 1796.

His next performance took place two years after, (August 1798) and he was equally successful. He matched himself against Ferguson, a celebrated walking clerk in the city, to go from Fenchurch Street, London, to the 10th mile-stone beyond Windsor, and back. Capt. Barclay performed the distance (seventy miles), notwithstanding the heat of the weather, in fourteen hours, beating the clerk several miles.

In December the year following, he accomplished one hundred and fifty miles in two days, having walked from Fenchurch Street to Birmingham, round by Cambridge. A few days afterwards, he returned in the same time by the way of Oxford.

In November 1800, he walked sixty-four miles in twelve hours, including the time requisite for taking refreshment. He started from Ury at twelve at night, and went to Ellon in Aberdeenshire, where he breakfasted, and returned by twelve mid-day. This walk was performed as a trial preparatory to a match he had undertaken to accomplish in December following. He had engaged to go ninety miles in twenty-one hours and a half, for a bet of five hundred guineas, with Mr. Fletcher of Ballingshoe, a gentleman of TURF notoriety; but unfortunately, he caught cold after one of his SWEATS while training, and became so ill, that he was unable to start on the day appointed, and the match of course was lost.

Capt. Barclay, next year, 1801, appeared very conspicuously in the annals of the sporting world. He again betted with Mr. Fletcher, that he would walk ninety miles in twenty-one and a half successive hours. The bet was two thousand guineas, and the ground chosen for the performance of the match was the line of road from Brechin to Forfar, in the county of Angus. He accomplished sixty-seven miles in thirteen hours; but having incautiously drank some brandy, he became instantly sick, and consequently unable to proceed. He now renounced the bet, and the umpire retired; but after two hours rest, he completely recovered, and could easily have finished the remainder of the distance within the time.

In June the same year, he walked from Ury to Boroughbridge in Yorkshire, in five days, a distance of three hundred miles, notwithstanding the heat of the weather, which was then very oppressive.

Although Capt. Barclay had lost two considerable bets with Mr. Fletcher of Ballingshoe, he was still confident of being able to perform ninety miles in twenty-one hours and a half; and again matched himself to go the distance within that time, for five thousand guineas, to be decided in the month of November.

He immediately went into training under Mr. Smith, an old farmer on Lord Faulconberg’s estate, who was reckoned very knowing in all sporting science, and very skilful in the best mode of training for pedestrian feats. In the month of October, he made an experimental trial in his lordship’s park, and went one hundred and ten miles in nineteen hours and twenty-seven minutes. The state of the weather was extremely unfavourable, as it rained all day, and he was up to the ancles in mud. Considering every circumstance, this performance may be deemed the greatest upon record, being at the rate of upwards of one hundred and thirty-five miles in twenty-four hours.

By the agreement, Capt. Barclay was to give Mr. Fletcher eight days notice of the day on which he was to start. The time was accordingly fixed for Tuesday the 10th of November; and the ground on which the bet was to be decided, was the space of one mile on the high road between York and Hull, about sixteen miles from the former place. The contracting parties measured the ground, and a post was fixed at the end of the mile. In turning this post, it required a pace and a half additional each mile, which were not taken into the measurement. Persons were stationed at the winning post to notch down the rounds, and to observe that every thing was done in a fair manner. On each side of the road, a number of lamps were placed for the purpose of giving light during the darkness of the night. On Monday evening, Capt. Barclay appeared on the ground, accompanied by several of his friends, a few minutes before twelve o’clock; and Mr. Fletcher also attended. Precisely at twelve, six stop watches were set, and put into a box at the winning end, which was sealed. At the same time, Capt. Barclay started. He was dressed in a flannel close shirt, flannel trowsers and night-cap, lambs’-wool stockings, and thick-soled leather shoes.

He went the two first miles in twenty-five minutes and ten seconds, and continued nearly at the same rate till he had gone sixteen miles, when he halted. The house into which he went to refresh, was situated near the right side of the course, about ten yards from the road-side, which, in going and coming, made twenty yards, not included in the measurement. He remained about ten minutes in taking refreshment and changing clothes, when he proceeded with his match, went fifteen miles more, and then refreshed and changed as before.

At seven in the morning, which was rather hazy, Capt. Barclay appeared to be somewhat dull from the dampness of the night air. Betting, however, was two to one, and five to two in his favour. After refreshing, he was more cheerful, and went sixteen miles more, with much apparent strength, going each two miles in about twenty-five minutes and twenty seconds. By eleven, he had gone fifty miles, and appeared to proceed on his course with great ease and vigour.—Betting was now four and five to one in his favour.

When he had gone sixty miles, he stopped to refresh, and change clothes. He remained about ten minutes in the house, and came out in high spirits, with much cheerfulness in his countenance. Betting was now in his favour six and seven to one. He proceeded till he had gone seventy miles, scarcely varying in regularly performing each round of two miles in twenty-five minutes and a half, when he again refreshed and changed clothes. He appeared well and strong, and resumed his match in a gallant style.

He refreshed twice more, and performed the whole distance by twenty-two minutes four seconds past eight o’clock on Tuesday evening, being one hour, seven minutes, and fifty-six seconds within the specified time.

When he had finished, he was so strong and hearty, and in fact so well, that he could have continued for several hours longer, and might have gone twenty or thirty miles farther.—Thousands of spectators on foot and on horseback, attended during the course of his walking, and he was loudly huzzaed, and carried on the shoulders of the multitude.

In August 1802, Capt. Barclay walked from Ury to Dr. Grant’s house at Kirkmichael, a distance of eighty miles, where he remained a day and night, (but without going to bed,) and came back to Ury by dinner on the third day, returning by Crathynaird, which lengthened the journey twenty miles. The roads over which he performed this journey, were extremely rugged, being through the mountainous parts of Aberdeenshire, and the distance altogether was one hundred and eighty miles.

In June next year, he undertook to run a match for a mile and a half against Burke, the celebrated pugilist, whom he beat with ease. In the month of July, he walked from Suffolk Street, Charing Cross, to Newmarket, in ten hours, in one of the hottest days of the season. The distance is sixty-four miles, and he was allowed twelve hours to perform it, which he did in two hours less.

In December following, he first appeared in the sporting world as a swift runner. He had performed long journies beyond the power of any man living, which was attributed to his great strength and bottom; but it was generally supposed that he did not possess fleetness sufficient to enable him to cope with any of the first-rate runners. The KNOWING ONES, however were deceived; for Capt. Barclay proved, that even at a very short distance, he had few competitors. He started in Hyde Park to run a quarter of a mile against Mr. John Ward, and bets were two to one in favour of his antagonist. Ward took the lead, and kept it for the first three hundred yards. Capt. Barclay then beat up, and they ran the next hundred yards neck and neck. In the last forty, Ward lost ten yards; and Capt. Barclay accomplished the whole distance, four hundred and forty yards, in fifty-six seconds,—Mr. Fletcher Reid and the Hon. B. Craven, were the umpires.

In March 1804, Capt. Barclay undertook, for a wager of two hundred guineas, to walk twenty-three miles in three hours. It was intended that he should start in Hertfordshire, and finish at the Royal Exchange, London. But unfortunately, on the day appointed he was taken ill, and consequently lost his stake. The sporting world were thus disappointed; and any odds would have been laid that he should have completed the task.

On Thursday the 16th of August, Capt. Barclay, who was then a lieutenant in the 23d regiment of foot, and quartered at East Bourne in Suffolk, engaged to run two miles in twelve minutes. He accomplished this undertaking with apparent ease, in two seconds and a half within the time. The arduousness of the task was greatly increased by the excessive rain which had fallen during the two preceding days, and a high wind that blew in his face. He ran the first mile in five minutes.

On the 18th of the following month, a match, to run one mile for one hundred guineas, was performed at East Bourne between Capt. Barclay and Capt. Marston of the 48th regiment. Both gentlemen were such celebrated pedestrians, that the race attracted some hundreds of spectators, and a great deal of money was sported. Capt. Marston being known by the regiment as a swift runner, found many to back him. They started at an early hour. Capt. Barclay suffered his competitor to take the lead, and keep it for a short distance, when he passed him, and continued a-head to the end of the race, which he accomplished in five minutes and seven seconds, notwithstanding the intense heat of the day. Mr. Fletcher Reid attended as the umpire. At the same place, Capt. Barclay ran a mile against John Ireland of Manchester, one of the swiftest runners in that quarter, on the 12th of October, for a bet of five hundred guineas. Ireland gave in at three-fourths of the mile; but Capt. Barclay performed the whole distance in four minutes and fifty seconds.

In 1805, Capt. Barclay performed two long walks, at the rate of more than six miles an hour. In March, he went from Birmingham to Wrexham in North Wales, by Shrewsbury,—a distance of seventy-two miles,—between breakfast and dinner. And in July following, he walked from Suffolk Street, Charing Cross, to Seaford in Sussex—a distance of sixty-four miles—in ten hours.

In June this year, he had entered into a match with Capt. Cook, to take place on the 19th, at Epsom course. As both gentlemen were celebrated runners, a great concourse of people assembled, among whom were many fashionable females. Capt. Cook did not make his appearance, but Capt. Barclay, more punctual to his engagements, came forward, and ran triumphantly over the ground, winning the whole of his bets, which were very considerable.

In June this year, (1806) Capt. Barclay walked from Suffolk Street, Charing Cross, to Colchester in Essex—a distance of fifty-five miles—without stopping to breakfast. In the course of the day, he rowed from Gravesend, and back.

On Monday the 4th August this year, a match took place between Capt. Barclay and Mr. Goulbourne, late of the Royal Horse Guards. The celebrity of the two gentlemen raised the expectations of all the amateurs; and the distance being only a quarter of a mile, made the odds in favour of Mr. Goulbourne, which were about six to four at starting. Capt. Barclay immediately took the lead, his opponent keeping close behind him for the first three hundred yards, which were run in great style: But here Mr. Goulbourne’s strength entirely failed him, and Capt. Barclay ran the remainder of the distance alone. He performed the whole four hundred and forty yards in one minute and two seconds.—This race was performed in Lord’s cricket ground, Mary-le-bone.

In December this year, Capt. Barclay accomplished the arduous performance of one hundred miles in nineteen hours, over the worst road in the kingdom, and just at the break of a severe storm. He started from Ury to go to Crathynaird, and back. He went to Charlton of Aboyne, (twenty-eight miles) in four hours, where he stopped ten minutes; then went forward to Crathynaird, (twenty-two miles,) where he remained fifty minutes. He then returned to Charlton, where he refreshed for thirty minutes, when he proceeded to Ury, and completed the whole distance in nineteen hours. Exclusive of stoppages, the distance was performed in seventeen hours and a half, or at the rate of about five miles and three-quarters each hour, on the average.

Capt. Barclay was attended in this walk by his servant, William Cross, who also performed the distance in the same time. In the month of December 1808, Cross walked one hundred miles in nineteen hours and seventeen minutes on the Aberdeen road, near Stonehaven. He stands five feet and eight inches, is well made, and active, and may be considered a first-rate pedestrian.

In May next year, (1807,) Capt. Barclay walked seventy-eight miles in fourteen hours, over the hilly roads of Aberdeenshire. He left Ury at two o’clock morning, to attend a sale of cattle at a place four miles beyond the Boat of Forbes on the Don, a river in Aberdeenshire, where he remained five hours, but walked in the fields several miles, and returned home by nine at night.—In this year, his famous match, for two hundred guineas, with Abraham Wood, the celebrated Lancashire pedestrian, took place.

It was settled in the month of July, that the parties were to go as great a distance as they could in twenty-four hours—and Capt. Barclay was to be allowed twenty miles at starting—to be decided at Newmarket on the following 12th of October—play or pay.

On the day appointed, this match attracted the greatest concourse of people ever assembled at Newmarket, in the memory of the oldest inhabitant. Carriages of every description were innumerable, from the barouche and four, to the dicky cart, and the horsemen and pedestrians exceeded all accurate calculation of numbers. The place chosen for the performance of this extraordinary match, was a single measured mile on the left-hand side of the turnpike-road leading from Newmarket to London, towards the ditch; which mile was roped in, and both competitors ran on the same ground.

They started precisely at eight o’clock on Monday morning, but after going forty miles, Wood resigned the contest, which created considerable surprize among the amateurs.—The following is an accurate account of the race.

When the pedestrians had performed the above number of hours, Wood resigned the contest; but Capt. Barclay walked four miles farther to decide some bets. Wood made play at starting, and went eight miles within the first hour, as appears from the foregoing statement. For three hours he continued at a lounging run, when the odds, which were about three to one at starting, were reduced to about seven to four. He got off one mile in the first half hour, having performed four miles in one minute less than that time. He accomplished twenty miles in two hours and forty-one minutes; and by coming in the twenty-two miles within three hours, he had got off four miles of the twenty he had given to Capt. Barclay, and both pedestrians came in together. After having gone twenty-four miles in three hours and sixteen minutes, Wood took refreshment for five minutes in a marquee at the starting post, opposite to that of his competitor. After having gone thirty-two miles, he laid himself down and rested for ten minutes, appearing to be somewhat fatigued. His ancles and body were rubbed, and on leaving his marquee, he appeared without his shoes. The next four miles he slackened his pace, and was above twenty minutes in going two miles. Wood’s feet were cut by travelling without his shoes, and he put them on; but after having gone forty miles in six hours and twenty minutes, he retired to his marquee: and shortly after, it was communicated to the spectators that he had resigned the match.

Capt. Barclay pursued a steady course of six miles an hour, without varying a minute. After having gone eighteen miles he stopped, and refreshed by taking some warm fowl; and when he had accomplished other eighteen miles, he again stopped; but while taking another refreshment, Wood’s failure was announced to him, and he walked the other four miles merely to determine some depending bets.

The unexpected termination of this race excited considerable surprise in the sporting world, as it was known to most people present, that Wood, only a few months before, had gone forty miles in less than five hours. Several of those who had betted on Wood declined paying, from the suspicion of something unfair having taken place. But it was manifest to all, that there was no collusion between Capt. Barclay and the other party, and he had not the slightest suspicion of any thing unfair existing.

When the match was first proposed, Capt. Barclay refused to make it, without a gentleman was concerned for Wood, and after such was sought for, a publican in the vicinity of Spitalfields was brought forward to back him. He accordingly stood one hundred and fifty pounds of the stake-money; but it was well known that he never before risked twenty pounds on the issue of any uncertain event. Wood had gone fifty miles in seven hours, in a wet day, while training, and was desirous of continuing his journey, being very fresh; but was stopped, lest he should be injured by the unfavourable state of the weather: of course, a great deal was expected from him.

These, and several other concurring circumstances, induced some sporting men to decline paying their bets. The disputes on this head, were finally settled at Tattersal’s, when, after a good deal of discussion, it was the opinion of a considerable majority, that the bets ought not to be paid, as it was then well known, that liquid laudanum had been administered to Wood by some of his pretended friends, after he had gone twenty-two miles. The regular frequenters of Newmarket, however, maintained, that the bets ought to be paid, although they were of opinion THE RACE WAS THROWN OVER, or, at any time a man may get off from his wagers.—Capt. Barclay’s bets, which were considerable, were paid.

This match, on the part of Wood and his friends, was entirely hopeless; for no man in the world could, with the least prospect of success, allow Capt. Barclay twenty miles on a walk to be decided in twenty-four hours. He had previously walked, without the advantage of training, SEVENTY-EIGHT MILES IN FOURTEEN HOURS, and what is still more astonishing, had performed SIXTY-FOUR MILES IN TEN HOURS. If no accident, therefore, had occurred, it is highly probable, he would have accomplished one hundred and thirty-five miles, which would have obliged his opponent to have gone one hundred and fifty-five miles, a distance altogether beyond Wood’s power, and such as never has been performed in that time by any pedestrian, either ancient or modern.

As an additional instance of Capt. Barclay’s great strength and perseverance, it may be mentioned, that, merely for his amusement, he performed a most laborious undertaking in August this year, (1808). Having gone to Colonel Murray Farquharson’s house of Allanmore, in Aberdeenshire, he went out at five in the morning to enjoy the sport of grouse-shooting on the mountains, where he travelled at least thirty miles. He returned to dinner to the colonel’s house, by five in the afternoon, and in the evening set off for Ury, a distance of sixty miles, which he walked in eleven hours, without stopping once to refresh. He attended to his ordinary business at home, and in the afternoon walked to Laurence-kirk,—sixteen miles,—where he danced at a ball during the night, and returned to Ury by seven in the morning. He did not yet retire to bed, but occupied the day by partridge-shooting in the fields. He had thus travelled not less than one hundred and thirty miles, supposing him to have gone only eight miles in the course of the day’s shooting at home, and also danced at Laurence-kirk, without sleeping, or having been in bed for two nights and nearly three days.

In December following, he was matched against a runner of the Duke of Gordon, to go from Gordon Castle to Huntly Lodge, a distance of nineteen miles, which Capt. Barclay performed in two hours and eight minutes, without any previous preparation, and immediately after breakfast, beating the duke’s man five miles. He ran the first nine miles in fifty minutes, although the road was very hilly, and extremely bad.

In October this year, (1808,) Capt. Barclay made a match with Mr. Wedderburn Webster, a gentleman of celebrity in the sporting world, which attracted the notice of the whole kingdom, and raised the highest expectations among the amateurs of pedestrian exploits.

He engaged to go on foot, ONE THOUSAND MILES IN ONE THOUSAND SUCCESSIVE HOURS, at the rate of a mile in each and every hour, for a wager of one thousand guineas, to be performed at Newmarket-heath, and to start on the following 1st of June, (1809).

Previously to encountering this arduous match, Capt. Barclay went to Brighton, where he remained for a short time for the sake of sea-bathing and fresh air. He did not then deem it necessary to go under regular training, as he believed the undertaking would be easily accomplished.

He arrived at Newmarket on the 30th of May; but he had before that time provided lodgings for his accommodation, and the ground on which he was to perform had been marked out. It was on a public road leading from the house of Mr. Buckle, where he lodged, and by no means adapted to his purpose. His resting apartment was on the ground-floor fronting the south, and only separated from the kitchen by a small room, where the attendants sat. Thus accommodated, he undertook the match under various disadvantages.

On the sixteenth day, however, he removed to new lodgings near the Horse and Jockey, where he continued during the remainder of the time. He also shifted his ground, and walked across the Norwich road up the heath for half a mile out and return.

The difficulty of accomplishing this astonishing match may be conceived, when it is known that the most celebrated pedestrians of England have attempted it, and failed. The constant exertion, with the short time allowed for sleep, must soon exhaust the strongest frame; and no other man has been able to continue longer than about thirty days.

Mr. Howe started at Cliffe Common, Somersetshire, to perform the Barclay match; but at the end of fifteen days he resigned the task, and thus lost his stake of three hundred guineas, besides his health being much injured.

Mr. Blackie undertook the match, but on the twenty-second day of his labour, he became afflicted with swollen legs to a frightful degree, and resigned on the twenty-third day, reduced from fourteen stones six pounds to eleven stones.

Mr. Martindale failed on the 27th of May 1812, after having gone thirty days. He wasted twenty pounds, and was much injured in his legs and feet.

When Capt. Barclay started, his weight was thirteen stones and four pounds; but when weighed in Chiffeny’s (the jockey) scales, after finishing, and resting seventeen hours in bed, his weight was reduced to eleven stones,—thus losing, in the course of his performance, no less than two stones and four pounds.

Towards the conclusion, the spasmodic affections in his legs were particularly distressing; but it is an astonishing fact, that his appetite continued to the end as good as ever. To this fortunate circumstance, the accomplishment of the match may be ascribed. If the digestive powers of the stomach had been injured by the excessive fatigue, extreme debility must have ensued, and his labours would, no doubt, have terminated in the same manner as those of the other gentlemen who have attempted this match.

He breakfasted, after returning from his walk, at five in the morning. He ate a roasted fowl, and drank a pint of strong ale, and then took two cups of tea with bread and butter. He lunched at twelve; the one day on beef-steaks, and the other, on mutton-chops, of which he ate a considerable quantity. He dined at six, either on roast beef, or mutton-chops. His drink was porter, and two or three glasses of wine. He supped at eleven on a cold fowl. He ate such vegetables as were in season; and the quantity of animal food he took daily was from five to six pounds.

He walked in a sort of lounging gait, without apparently making any extraordinary exertion, scarcely raising his feet more than two or three inches above the ground.

His dress was adapted to the changeable state of the weather. Sometimes he walked in a flannel jacket, and sometimes in a loose dark grey coat, but he always used strong shoes and lamb-wool stockings.

Bets were from the beginning in his favour, and they rose to two to one and five to two; but, about eight days before he finished, they were ten to one on his accomplishing the match, at Tattersal’s, and other sporting places. On Wednesday morning, (the day he completed the task,) one hundred guineas to one were offered; but so strong was the confidence of his success that no bets could be obtained at any odds.

This extraordinary performance was concluded on the 12th of July, at thirty-seven minutes past three in the afternoon, amidst thousands of spectators. The multitude who resorted to the scene of action being unprecedented, not a bed could be procured on the previous night at Newmarket, Cambridge, or at any of the towns and villages in the vicinity; and every horse and vehicle were engaged. The influx of company had so much increased on Sunday, that the expediency of roping in the ground was suggested; but Capt. Barclay objected to the measure as indicating too much parade. On Monday, however, the crowd became so great, and he experienced so much interruption, that he consented to allow this precaution to be taken, and next morning the workmen began to rope in the ground.

Among the distinguished company who witnessed the conclusion of this arduous undertaking, we may include the Dukes of Argyle and St. Alban’s; Earls Grosvenor, Besborough, and Jersey; Lords Foley and Somerville; Sir John Lade, and Sir Francis Standish.

The following particulars relative to Capt. Barclay’s state of health, and other circumstances which occurred during this celebrated walk, were furnished to the author by a gentleman who attended him from the commencement, and they are copied from his MS. with perfect fidelity.

This statement, it is hoped, will be found interesting; and the reader is referred to the authenticated Journal for the TIME of performing EACH MILE, STATE of the WEATHER, &c. during the whole period of the walk.

First day.—After walking the second mile, Capt. Barclay stript off his clothes and went to bed: he did not sleep, and perspired profusely. (Throughout this match, when he went to bed, he always undressed.) He slept little the first night, and next day nothing particular occurred; but the weather being very hot, he had a great tendency to perspire after walking.

Second day.—He slept rather better the second night. At this time, he did not go to bed during the day, but walked in the streets of Newmarket, or occasionally rested on a sopha. He was still inclined to perspire.

Third day.—Twelve o’clock noon; in good health.—Twelve at night; slept well, and still fresh, but much inclined to perspire.

Fourth day.—Twelve, noon; the dust on the road incommoded him much, but he was still fresh, with a good appetite.—Twelve at night; slept well, looked fresh, and had no complaint.