this _leg exercise_ we allow the man to possess
the keen sight of the greyhound, which will remove the objection, though
the odds are much against him, as he makes so little use of his eyes as
never to see that which he ought to do.

But in order the better to establish a _running system_, I shall have
recourse to the Classics, to prove, that the pursuit will confer honour
upon its practitioners; for instance, has not Ovid recorded the
gallopings of the lovely Atalanta, who, being determined to live in a
state of celibacy, positively ran away from the male sex? This
establishes the vast antiquity of running, and nothing can possibly
stand the test of inquiry, which has not such a voucher as antiquity to
bear it out against the growlings of scepticism.

Athletic exercises have, in all ages, been considered conducive to the
health, strength, and perfection, of youthful citizens, and consequently
to the welfare of the state. In this point of view, the feats of our
pedestrian candidates for fame who run against old Time himself, are
certainly entitled to popular applause; and should the passion for
running become general, we may soon expect to behold an exhibition,
unparalleled even at the Olympic games formerly celebrated in Greece.
The art of running is, like that of dancing, acquirable from a master;
but gracefulness of motion is not essential to the perfection of the
runner, swiftness being the principal requisite. Hence, whether the
performer display his agility by bounding along on the light fantastic
toe, or waddling with the zig-zag respectability of a corpulent
alderman, if he can first reach the destined goal within a given period
of time, he is rewarded, not with a civic crown--but a purse of gold.

Captain Barclay has obtained much notoriety, by an exhibition of his
personal agility; he seems, from his attainments, eminently qualified to
fill the office of running footman--an establishment, the revival of
which would give permanence to this gymnastic exercise; but it is to be
hoped that he will find few imitators in the British army. Celerity of
movement might, indeed, be very advantageous in the field of battle, and
a column, advancing at the rate of ten miles an hour, might attack the
artillery of the enemy with success; but should a sudden panic on any
occasion seize the troops, they might prove their agility by running
away, to the great disgrace of our national honour. The introduction of
Captain Barclay'