The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1807-10-09 00:00:00

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to carry it inteeffee, the nett question is, in what
manner the finds are to btraised ? It is believed,
from the patriotic seal of our citizens. and from the
general anxiety expressed by all petsons, that some-
thing should be done without delay to put this city
in a posture of defence; there would be no difficulty
in raising by loan from the citizens, a sum sufficient
to eflca this purpose, upon Corporation Bonds, re
deemable at pleasure, the interest to be pid half
searly. There can scarcely be a doubt but the
Government of the United States will assumtt and
piy this debt ; but in case they should not, and it
should ultimately fall upon the city to pay it, the
debt and in•crest would be extinguished in three
years, by doubling the usual yearly taxes. Would
it not be hest even to pay the debt ourselves, rather
than remain in this exposed and defencejess situa-
tion? Our interest clearly dilates the propriety of
the measure.

This is a work of gr at magnitude, and will take
more than one year to complete it. The materials
are not to he had in sufficient quantities at present.
but we ought to make a beginning this year with
what materials can be procured. and the works may
probably be finished in the course of the next sum-
mer. If we should unfortunately be invol►ed in a
war. in consequence of the present dispute. with
England, it will most probably take place before
any eff4tual system of defence can be completed,
and we n.nst snbmit to our unhappy situation.—
But if the storm should blow o►er, we ought not to
desist from our determination to pet the city in a
state of defence; we cannot always promise our-
sel►es an exemption from the calamities of war.—
On the 20th of June last. the country felt as secure
and as confident of the continuation of piaie. as it
has felt for many years past ; but from the e►ents
that ha►e recently taken place. it is seen upon what
an uncertain tenure the peace of nations depends.
The ad►ice of our immortal Washington ought.
therefore, to be confided in. " that to preser►e
peace we ought always to be prepared for war."
SILL Ain STRONG.

Jsco• Mom
JOHN D. MiLLEN.

New• Yak, Augtst 24, 1607.

CAPTAIN BARCLAY AND WOOD.

The match between Wood and the Captain has
excited the greatest curiosity, and much speculation
is afloat as to the extent of their powers.
Wood is a weaver of Manchester, near to which
town he was born. and for many years has been ac-
knowledged the first goer of a long distance ever
known, his performances having by far ex:eeded
what was ever done by the noted Powell. He poi-
'lsles great symmetry of body, and the most extra-
ordinary powers of muscular exertion ; added to
which. he has but little flesh, and stands about five
tert eleven inches. His wonderful performances
induced some gentlemen to keep Aim constantly in
training for marches. He ran a match as York, of
fear miles. in 10 minutes and nine seconds; he was
afterwards beat by Brown, a celebrated pedestrian,
in a two.mile heat, which was not his length, a!-
though he did it at the above race, and also at
York. in IS minutes

At Newmarket, dnring the present year, a match
was made for him to ftsn against time, forty miles
in five hours, which he performed in a quarter of an
hour less than the given time ; he also went 20
miles in two hours and five minutes, at Brighton.
ahout the same time. His backers will bring him
forward to perform 11 miles in an hour, or 20 miles
in two hours, at any bet that may be offered. Dur-
ing his training for the approaching race, he went
100 miles, when his trainers stopped him, and al-
though the task was performed in an incredible
short time, he was quite fresh. and wished to con-
tinue going for another 30 miles. He is backed to
go 100 miles in 16 hours at the race. Wood is 29
years of age.
Captain Barclay, who is as well made for fatigue
as Wood, Fas only once tried his pedestrian skill for
a wager, although he is much attached to labour,
and has frequently borne with pleasure the hard fa-
tigues of husbandry labour on his own estate ; his
muscular strength :s such, that the hardiest peasant
could not commas to work with him. Some time
since in Yorkshire, he went 90 miles in 19 hours and
80 seconds, without having taken much training.
The Captain is 2$ years of age, and stands about
five feet nine inches. •

Within these few days a number of workmen
have been employed in clearing out the foundation
for Lord Nct.son's Monument, on Caltor-hill,
Edinburgh. From its elevated situation, which
commands an extensive prospeß of the Frith of
Forth, the City of Edinburgh, and adjoining coun-
try, it will be one of the most Wausau' in the em-
pire.
A person, subscribing himself Jowls GA xt.or r, to
an advertisement in the Oxford Pape► of Saturday,
has made the amide honorable to Madame Fee-
peatcK, in the following words :
" I, John Gallett, do hereby acknewledgs that I have at
various timer, in moments of intoxisetion, wed language In-
:lotions to Madame Frederick, and have threatened to take
means to prejudice the Public against her, se u so eacits
clamour whenever she might appear on the stage in her pro-
fessional cltaisSer, for which she was about to commence an
radium against use; ►ut, on my making this acknowledgment
al my error, and promising not to ofend her in the like man-
ort in future, she has consented not to bore teenurse to •
Court of Justice for recomposes."

On Sunday morning, a young man, residing in a
small house on Chatham-bill, took a musket which
he had to clean. and loaded it with small shot io or.
der to.sboot at a mark which be had made on the
side of the house : he fired, when a large portion of
the charge, most unexpededly was forced through
the weather boarding, passed through the lath
and plastering, and two of the shot penetrated and
fradured the skull of a very fine child, about two
years : the poor child fell instantly senseless on
the floor; and on a surgeon,Mr. J. BRYANT. examin-
ing the wounds, he found it necessary. as the only
chsnce of saving the life of the child, and of curett-
ing the shot, to perform th, operation of the trepan;
he accordingly took away two portions of the skull,
and the 'child revived considerably after the opera-
tion ; the shot, however, had penetrated the sub-
stance at the brainy, and could not he curetted. The
child, though considerably better yesterday, lies with
but a faint hope being entertained of its recovery.
The youug man who was the came of the accident,
is in custody.