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head, and convince me by the significant instrumentality of a warrant, unanimously issued for my apprehension, that I was, though most unknowingly and unintentionally transgressing the law, in presuming to walk on Backheath, even with your leave and promise of protection; for I beg leave to remind you that I had both before I ventured to commence the task. My errror was further confirmed by the circumstance of my being permitted to continue my laborious exertions for fifteen days, without so much as an authentic intimation, that I was doing any thing contrary to law or injurious to the public peace. It was no trial of skill with any rival; I did not publicly announce, except to a few persons in the neighbourhood, the object of my peregrination. I did not influence the public prints to notice me or my efforts. I did not send for the multitude who were pleased to honour me with their attention; and least of all, did I dream that an obscure, forlorn, and insignificant being, like me, could have formed a centre of attraction for the thousands who daily crowded Blackheath, while I was labouring to perform a task, that in its result was to save me from famine, and bring me a few pounds, by what I conceived the most laborious and most harrassing occupation on earth, for twenty successive days. I had heard of the perambulations of the celebrated Captain Barclay, who had won a thousand guineas by walking a thousand miles in a thousand hours. I had the honour of knowing that gentleman, and feel a warm attachment to him as a brother disciple of what I am told has been jocularly termed the peripatetic school. He met no interruption from the Magistrates of the county
