The Pedestrian's Record

14 the pedestrian's record. each of these divisions, it seems to us that theA. A.A. might devise some means and enact a law by which such two almost equally grand pedestrians could compete on the same track without the amateur undergoing the indignity of expulsion. The duke runs his horse against the publican's mare ; they both race for money, and neither are humiliated ; but men runners are divided into formists and nonconformists, and to the injury of both, for is not running a national sport ? And if it be, ought not all classes to figure in the same arena ? At present we do not distinctly recognize the respective merits of the two classes of competitors ; and how is it possible to ascertain who are the best runners, whether they hie from the amateur or professional track, without practical test, without actual demonstration, which can alone be obtained by making matches between them ? We know there are difficulties in the way, and they are fully recognized. The professional runs with little other aim than the obtainment of money, and the betting has a still further alluring influence, which no doubt has been provocative in some instances of dishonesty ; but this should not be fulminated against the whole body of athletic professionals without re­ membering that amateurs have not always been free from the dash of this tar-brush, Mr. Montague Shearman speaks, in his work on athletics, in no measured terms of what he styles semi-amateurism, and as he of necessity does not specifically cite cases, we are left with the knowledge that amateurs have