Athletics and Football (extract)

ATHLETIC SPORTS IN ENGLAND 35 having no other occupation. Some of the more marvellous deeds are as follows;—Levi Whitehead, of Bramham, four miles on Bramham Moor in 19 minutes; Mr. Haselden, of Milton,a private gentleman, ten mileson the Canterbury road in 53 minutes 'with ease.' This last performance was in the year 1809. In February 1808 Mr. Wallis, a gentleman of Jermyn Street, twomiles in 9 minutes 'in two starts,' with a minute's interval between each start. Though it is understood that the times are to be regarded sceptically, Thom's work gives a very vivid picture of the popularity of athletic sports during the twenty years preceding the publication of his work in 1813. Three pedestrians,Howe, Smith, and Grey, appear frequently to have competed in twenty-mile and ten-mile races. In 1793 two pedestrians, Barrett and Wilkman, ran a ten-mile match on Kersal Moor, the former winning in 57 minutes. In 1805 Lieutenant Warrenand Mr. Bindall, an artist, ran a match of sevenmileson the Uxbridge road, the artist winning by a quarter of a mile. Time given as 35 minutes. In 1805, James Farrer, for a wager of 200guineas, ran against time on Knutsford racecourse,doing four milesin 20 min. 57 sec. One of the best-known' peds ' of this timewasAbraham Wood, a Lancashireman, who, however, had his colours loweredin a four-mile race by Joseph Beal, a Yorkshirelad of nineteen, who beat the champion in 21 min. 18 sec. Beal is also credited with two miles in 9 min. 48 sec. on York racecourse in a match with another 'ped,' Isaac Hemsworth,of Bolton, Lancashire. In 1809Captain Dane and Mr. Davies ran a milematch in Bayswaterfields, the captain winning by ' about 2 lengths,' in 4 min. 56 sec. Two other amateurs. Lord F. Bentinck and the Hon. Edward Harbord, also ran a mile in 1804 for 100 guineas, the latter winning easily, and his lordshipwas shortly afterwards beaten by a Mr. Mellish in another match over the Beacon course. In 1805 Mr. Harbord tried sprinting in a match with Lord F. Beauclerk at 100 yards; the latter won by two yards. The winner afterwards met at the same