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.