ever been emulous to distinguish themselves, and
their proficiency in dancing is an excellent preparative to running, we
may soon hope to see them exhibit themselves in the gymnastic lists, as
candidates for that public admiration which seems to be the great
business of their lives. The disparity between the competitors will
doubtless be very amusing, as well as edifying.--When we behold the fat
duchess of ----, with a face like Cynthia in all her glory, boldly
approach the promenade in Kensington Gardens, in open defiance of public
decorum, and, unzoned and divested of superfluous drapery, prepare for
the race, in opposition to a slim vestal from ------, how shall we be
able to restrain our risibility? The running ladies will, however,
labour under one great disadvantage. Their muscular exertions must
affect the lungs, and, in a great degree, suspend the exercise of their
blandiloquence, not only during the race, but for some minutes after its
termination.

On a general view of the national utility resulting from this modern
amusement, it appears admirably well calculated for the exercise of the
legs of our nobility, gentry, and merchants, and may operate as an
efficacious remedy for indolence, _alias_ laziness. It will also be
conducive to the benefit of those ingenious individuals who devote their
talents to the fabrication of ornaments; and we may soon expect to see,
in the advertisements of mantuamakers, milliners, hosiers, and tailors,
a list of _patent bounding corsets_, _Atalanta robes_, and _winged
bonnets_, for the equipment of female adventurers in the lists of
gymnastic glory; while _flying trowsers_, _elastic jackets_, and
_feathered buskins_, fit for Mercury himself, will contribute at once to
the adornment, the swiftness, and the reputation, of our noble and
ignoble racers.

BACKSWORD PLAYING--MIDDLESEX PASTIME.

At Wilsden Green, a hat, and a purse of twenty shillings, were played
for at backsword, and, as an encouragement for young players, five
shillings were given to the winner of every head, and two shillings to
the loser. On the umpire's proclaiming the game, a hat was thrown into
the ring (being the ancient mode of defiance) another soon followed, and
the owners entered and played several bouts with much good humour, till
the blood trickled down the head of the least fortunate. Other gamesters
followed, to the number of seventeen, affording most excellent sport to
a numerous and well-dressed