At the suggestion of a few friends, the author undertook this work. His intention at first was to confine it solely to Capt. Barclay’s performances. But on farther consideration, he thought that the feats of other pedestrians might be introduced, and the plan enlarged, so as to embrace a treatise conveying information or amusement to readers in general, as well as to sporting gentlemen.

He has therefore treated of objects connected with the physical powers of man, with the view of drawing the attention of the public to the best means of strengthening and augmenting the capacities of the body. The subject he deems important, especially at a time when the physical energies of many of our countrymen are frequently brought into action by the conflicts of war.

The republics of Greece prepared their youth for the duty of the field by their gymnastic institutions; and the Romans were exercised by long marches, running, leaping, and throwing the javelin. But with the soldiers of Britain, a different system prevails. While stationed at home, they are allowed to waste their time in “indolent repose,” and prevented from taking even that degree of exercise which is requisite to health, lest they should exhaust the most trifling of their necessaries, before the return of the usual period of supply. All the advantages they might derive from a course of training, are thus sacrificed to an ill-judged economy, and to the vain show of a parade or field day.

The author has considered Exercise in a military point of view, and he thinks he cannot too strongly urge the necessity of adopting such measures for training our troops preparatory to actual service as would fit them for undergoing the hardships of the campaign.

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.