The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-12 00:00:00

PEDESTRIANISM.

HENRY BOON, OF STAFFORD, AND JOHN SMITH, THE
REGENT-STREET PET, FOR 501. A-SlDE.—That these first-
rate-runners were articled for a trial of speed on Tuesday,
the 11th day of May, was known to every admirer of pedes-
trian feats, and to all who seek profit by laying or taking
"the odds" on the results of bipedal performances. Mitcham
being the appointed rendezvous, and mine host Smith's, the
Swan, the head quarters, the gathering from south, east, and
west was, as the Yankees say, "pretty considerable." The
market, so far as betting quotations can be sa:ely made,
speaking from our own cognizance of hard cash staked,
ruled at 6 to 4 on Smith, and subsequently increased to 2 to 1.
This was persevered in by many of those who are supposed
by the many-headed multitude to know best, and to have
most money, and hence the backers of Book were almost
frightened out of their own better judgment, and wagering
became rather a matter of defying challenge than real busi-
ness. At half. past four o'clock, the men showed at the
scratch. Smith was in admirable racer-like form, fine as a
thorough-bred, hard as a pebble, and "fit to run for a man's
life." His antagonist was fresh, angular in the facial out-
line, blooming, youthful, elastic, and wiry, and if the pre-
vious fame and deeds of the Regent-street Pet had made him
a favourite, looked not unlikely, a second time, to prove that
favouritism in foot as well as horse-racing, may lead to
serious mistakes.. One hoar and a quarter was consumed in
127 false starts, and at the 128th "go " the rivals bounded
off. Smith had, if anything could be had, the stmt. For
thirty yards the competitors were level, at fifty, Book had
his shoulder in advance, at seventy to eighty yards, the Staf-
ford man was clearly in front by a couple of yards, at eighty
to a hundred his lead was slightly decreased, and at the goal
(130 yards), Book ran in a winner by barely one yard. The
money lost upon the race, from the confidence of Smith's
friends (a confidence by no means discredited by the event),
was undoubtedly considerable.
BaNNETT AND THOMAS.—J. Bennett, of Ealing, and J.
Thomas, of Chelsea, walked their ten mile match on Mon-
day, near the Black Dog, Bedfont. The Chelsea hero led for
the first seven miles, when Bennett passed him, maintaired
his advantage, and won
,without distress. Tine, 1 hour 31
minutes.

METCALF AND MODEM:WM.—The race of 200 yards, be-
tween Samuel Metcalf and Russell Muorhouse, attracted a
considerable muster of spectators on Monday, at Wands-
worth-common. The men showed at the starting-scratch at
four o'clock, the distance agreed on being '2OO yards, and the
stakes 10 sous. aside. The disparity in height was consider-
able, Metcalf being the taller man by at least four inches.
On the word being given, they bounded off, running level
for some thirty yards, when Metcalf pulled foot, took a
lead, of which he was never afterwards dispossessed, and ran
in an easy winner by three or four yards, which ho might
have increased had he been so disposed.
INwoon AND BERRY.—Robert Inwood, of Tooting. and
W. Berry, of Lambeth, decided their match of 150 yards on
Monday morning, on Wandsworth-common. The race,
which was run before eight o'clock, was never in doubt.
Inwood took the lead, after ten yards had been covered, f:om
a very even start, and closed all cavil as to the question of
speed, by beating his antagonist by three yards.
SLADE AND MOUNTJOY'S 20 MILE MATCII.—The "ve-
teran" and his opponent, Slade, who gave him 300 yards'
start, met at Ilighgate, on Monday, and ran 20 miles. The
stake was a small one, namely, 10/.; and at 30 minutes past
5, the pedestrians went off. The " old one" never left the
event in question ; for Slade, at no time, was within 100
yards of his opponent. At the 19th mile, Slade resigned,
Mountjoy completing the 20 miles in 2.hours and 24 minutes

- - -
ROYAL THAMES YACHT CLUB.
Yesterday the opening match of the season came oft
when the following prizes were given fur competition by the
above popular and excellent club :

li)r yachts not exceeding twenty-five tons:—
First prize—A diver tea-kettle value 60 guineas.
Second prize—A silver punch-bowl 3O guineas.

For yachts of twelve tons:—
A silver service
This match, as the first of the season, is always looked for-
ward to with much interest by the amateurs, as it generally
introduces one or more rival candilates for fame to compete
with the old established favourites. For this reason the ar-
rival of the Fawn, a new boat of good repute (from Poole),
was anxiously expected, and when almost at the hour of
starting it was definitely stated that she had not arrived,
tnu:h disappointment was felt, for the nee was now resigned
to yachts whose merits had last year been fiirly tested on
several occasions and in various weathers. This rendered the
sport less exciting, and the want of wind caused this to be
felt the more severely. But although the conosceuti were in
a great measure disappointed, the ladies wha joined the
party on the steamer must have been highly gratified with
the general arrangements, the brightness of the day, the
beauty of the scene, and the mu,ic,al performances by the
band of the Royal Horse Guards (Blue), and Adams's band.

, At ten o'clojk the Meteor steamer started from London-
bridge with the Commodore, Lord A. Paget, the Vice• Com-
modore, Barwtll, E q, and a numerous company on
board, and proceeded to Erith, from which place the yachts
were to start, to sail round a buoy moored at Chapman's
Head, twelve miles below Gravesend, and thence return to
Greenwich.

The following yachts took their station 9, and at one o'clock
were all ready to start :