Pedestrianism

VI PREFACE. 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 re­ lated, the performances of the most cele­ brated pedestrians of the present age. And from what has been already done, they may form some opinion of what it is possiblefor others to accomplish; and thus regulate their bets according to the different circum­ stances of the cases under their review. The author acknowledgeshis obligations to several gentlemen of the highest respect­ ability, for their encouragement and patro­ nage. To Capt. Barclay, in particular, he is much indebted, for having not only fur­ nished the chapter on training, but also for having taken the troubleto revise the greater part of the work. WALTER THOM. Aberdeen, 1st Jan. 1813 . \ y