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. PREFACE, _Page_ 3 CHAPTER I. On the Gymnastic Exercises of the Ancients, 9 CHAP. II. Modern Pedestrianism, 33 CHAP. III. The same subject continued, 69 CHAP. IV. Capt. Barclay’s Public and Private Matches, 101 CHAP. V. Sketches of Capt. Barclay’s Favourite Pursuits, and General Mode of Living, 205 CHAP. VI. On Training, 221 CHAP. VII. On the Physical Powers of Man, 249 APPENDIX. Genealogy of the Family of Barclay of Mathers and Ury, in the County of Kincardine, 257 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.