The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-24 00:00:00

PEDESTRIANISM.

RACE BETWEEN JOHN SIMMONDS (OF BERMONDSEY)
AND JOHN HALL (OF WALWOETH. —These pedestrians
are by no means unknown, as they have often distin-
guished themselves in well-contested sprint races. Being
known, therefore, as a couple of fleet runners, the fact
of their having to contend creatad much interest among
their respective friends. The meeting, as announced,
took place in the enclosure belonging to the Lord Auck-
land, Battersea. The distance was 150 yards, and after
the course had been got in readiness, and the proper
officials appointed, the pedestrians came to the scratch.
Hall, who was allowed choice of sides, placing his com-
petitor on his right band. Both are remarkably well
made smart young fellows, and from their appearance, it
was apparent that they had paid due attention to their
training duties. The betting was in favour of Simmonds,
his friends freely offering the odds of 6to 4. After some

little manoeuvring the start was effected, the lads dash-
ing off in a manner that excited the admiration of their
partisans. The lead at starting was obtained by Hall,
but as they came bounding along Simmond's superiority
gradually became apparent, and at the finish he won a
well•contested race by two yards.

SPLENDID RUN WITH THE HEYTHORP HOUNDS.-011
Saturday last the meet was at North Aston ; drew
the gardens and spinnies blank ; Dean Hill Covert and
tAhe osier bed blank ; went on to Dunstew Gorse, also
blank ; then trotted away for Hawk Hill, where Rey-
nard was found at home, and breaking cover, ran at
Hawk Hill ag met another fox close to the covert.,
once to ground at Irondown. Returning back to tryain,
and away he went in good style fcr Great Tew and
Hobb Hole, where he ran into a drain. On going
along for Worton Heath, the sly un was seen coming
out of the drain again, and the hounds were soon put
on the scent, and away the varmint went at ati e-
mendous pace along the hollow, under Worton Heath,
over the brook, and nearly to Barton ; then to the left
to Seagiavee's Gorse, where he was lost. Bank again
to Worton Heath, which was drawn blank ; then to
Connigree Covert, also drawn blank; when crossing
the adjoining field, very near to Mr. Roots', at Great
Tew, a fox came out of the plantations, and away be
bounded at a ripping pace over Sandford Brook, leav-
ing Sandford-park to the left, then along Sandford
field, leaving Glympton Heath to the right, down
for Barton, through Barton Grove, and aoross the
Oxford and Deddington turnpike-road to Rousham
spinnies, through Rousharn Park, taking the River
Cherwell like a duck close by Mr. King's ; here
horses and men were brought to a stand-still, many pre-
ferring to go round by Heyford to fording the river ;
however, about 20, with more pluck than the others,
soon forded the river, which was very deep and running
rapidly ; the next obstacle was the Great Western Rail
way, which was, however, more easily managed, a bridge
being near to cross over ; after crossing, a check was
experienced for a short time, but scent being picked tip
again, away Reynard went straight up the fields for
Caulcott, and on to Middleton Stoney, where he scaled
the park walls, and, evening approaching, the hounds
were whipped off, after a brilliant run of 40 minutes.
—Oxford Journal.

Last night a public meetieg was hek, at the London
Mechanics' Institution, Southampton-'nildings, for the
purpose of considering the propriety o: supporting the
project of Dr King and Lieutenant Bedford Pim for a
new land and sea expedition in the neighbourhood of
the Great Fish River in search of further traces of the
missing expedition. Mr. Douiton, a member of the
Metropolitan Board of Works, occupied the chair, and,
hieing introduced Dr. King, that gentleman gave sonic
uitber explanation of the manner in which they pro-
; osed to carry out the search, which, he said, must end
successfully. Lieutenant Pun next addressed the meet
ing in a speech which was loudly applauded, observing
that they had no desire any one should hold up his hand
in favour of the project unless convinced of the necessity
of a further search, on the grounds of humanity, consis-
tency, and a desire to preserve our national honour and
maritime supremacy from the smallest stain. He de-
scribed that part of the plan referring to himself, enlarg
rag upon the use of dogs for sledging purposes ; and
pointing out the proposed route of ship and sledges, fe
said datieulties, noaoubt, would have to he encountered,
but long experience in the polar regions bad consider-
ably lessened tbe dangers, which could, many of them,
be avoided by common foresight. He himself was of
opinion that it would be only necessary to approach the
Esquimaux with a little circumspection to extract from
them the thrilling story of our countrymen's sufferings,
and to induce them to tell at' what village the sur-
vivors would be found. There could be no doubt the
natives in the vicinity of the magnetic pole knew
every particular about the missing ships. Lieutenant
Pim then detailed his peisonal experience of the
E -quimaux, showing that they were not of a war-
U., disposition, and adducing the fate of Lieutenant
Barnard, who wai killed, together with 57 men, women
and children of the Esquiwaux, by an inroad of the Kon-
chin Indians', as a proof of the unsuspicious character of
the natives with whom he would have to deal. He spoke
in very grateful terms of the American officers at Ports-
mouth, who had brought the old Resolute to this country.
They were, every one of them, real good fellows, and he
was sorry Capt. Hartstein (Todd not be present—tbot
evening, but the banquet at Portsmouth prevented him.
He could not too strongly condemn the large, cumber-
some expeditions hitherto sent out, citing the abandon.
went of the Eve vessels, and the return of the Reso-
lute. Two more ships were floating about in the ice—
and if we were not quickly in tbe field, he should not be
surprised to hear of the French bringing one to England
and perhaps the Danes the other. He did not hesitate
to say that such an event would be a very great blow to
our maritime greatness, and make us the laughing-stock
of Europe. For his part he could not bear the idea of
leaving his forlorn countrymen in the lurch, and he loved
his country too much to see her losing her proud name,
and the confidence of those whom she might hereafter
have to seed on enterprius of danger.
The resolutions approving the project were carried
unanimously.