The Sun.
London, England, 1829-09-09 00:00:00

SWIMMING MATCH AT LIVERPOOL.

A very interesting trial of skill and strength
in swimming was exhibited on Monday- evening
last from the floating-bath at Liverpool, for a
handsome silver cup, which was to be contended
for only by the subscribers and regular attendants
of the bath. The plan and arrangement of the
race were as follows :

The competitors were all placed on a platform
on the western side of the bath, in situations
determined by lots previously drawn ; and, at a
given signal, were to jump into the river and
swim round a revenue cutter, which was then
moored to the westward of the bath, at the dis-
tance of about 20 fathoms ; thence to return and
swim round the eastern side of the bath and back
again to the cutter—a distance altogether of
about a quarter of a mile ; the swimmer who
should first touch a boat moored alongside of
it, to be entitled to the prize. Whilst the
swimmers for the Subscribers' Cup were resting
from the fatigues of their first attempt, a second
Cup, which was open to all competitors, was
the next object contended for. No fewer than

16 persons, at a given signal, plunged into the
river, where they had to experience a portion of
the difficulties of the former party ; for although
half an hour had elapsed, the tide was still so
strong as to induce the greater part of the
swimmers to return to the bath. This reduc-
tion of numbers influenced the rest of the
party to imitate them, and the contest was given
up by all, except Mr. Vipond, who power-
fully overcame every difficulty, and finally
reached the goal. After this race was determin-
ed, eight of the first party were conveyed in
a boat near a buoy moored to the south cnd of
the bath, at a distance of about ninety fathoms ;
the place of operations being changed, the par-
ties had merely to swim from the boat to the
bath. A fine display of muscular exertion 'and
capital swimming was exhibited on the occa•
sion ; a powerful interest was excited amongst
the crowd of spectators, who were on board the
bath, and thousands that were on the different

piers ashore. As the competitors approached
the bath, two of the party got a-head of the rest,
and were so close together, and so nearly equal
in strength and skill, as to render it very doubtfu
which would be the victor. Mr. Scallon (the
champion) was loudly cheered as he touched the
bath, which he reached scarcely a second before
his less successful rival. The cups were after-
wards presented to the winners amid the cheers
and applause of all on board. It is to be re-
gretted that the swimming did not take place at
the hour appointed ; but no man living would
have reached the revenue cutter at six o'clock.—
On the first start, when all the swimmers were
obliged to return, a very powerful young man, a
mulatto, was decidedly the foremost, and it is to
be regretted that all his efforts to reach the cutter
were fruitless. The swimmers, having had a
sample of his powers, objected to his being ad-
mitted as a competitor, on the ground that he
was nut eligible, according to the conditions
stated in the commencement of this paragraph.
He wished to swim for the smaller cup, but was
objected to, as not having entered in time. We
regret this circumstance, as it would have been a
fine struggle between him and Mr. Vipond.—
Liverpool Mercury.

THE CURRENCY.—Ministers are at this mo-
ment seriously engaged in considering bow they are to
alter, we shall not use the word repeal (although vir-
tattlly the thing would he an annulment,) the Bill of
1826
will
remember
came into full operation in April last.--
rt,gardincr6
the Small Notes—which Bill our readers
Dubibi.Mercantile' Advertiser.