The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-06-10

commenced, and which led To scene of
betting bordering, If reports are to be crc-
dited, upon the extrayagant; hut which
we fUrbear 10 state.
Never did such "A concourse attend any
race ground in this country, and never was
one thronged by so many strangers Of age
and distinction from so many different
states, and some of them very remote. Ii
affords small pleasure to add that not single
murmur of dissatisfaction was heard from
any quarter A mutual county, suitable
to the character Of gentlemen, prevailed
OF the ground and at the festive board.
--eLo-
From the .Nclo York american.
The Great Rdce.--The eventfn contest
for sporting supremacy has been decided
in our favour, by the unrivalled powers Of
Eclipse. From the general intcres. fen in
this race, we presume even the minute
particulars respecting il will not be unac-
ceptable. The course was crowded at an
early hour, and before the horses started,
it was computed that at least 10000 per-
sons were assembled among whom were
individuals from every part of the Union.
The Ladies' stand was filled with beauty
and fashion, and among the gentlemen
were to BIZ found much of the talent,
wealth, and responsibility Of the country.
AT the appointed hour the horses were
brought to the starting post, and at the sig
nal went off in high style, Henry taking
the lead, and warmly pushed by Eclipse,
who ran under the whip the whole dis
lance, and was beat by about half
length.
The heat was run in the extraordinary
short time of seven minutes and 80 Sc
conds, being, we believe, the fastest run
ming on record, except the performance Of
Chiders, who ran the long coarse of New
Market, which is more than quarter over
-four miles, in m. and 40 sec. There
can be no mistake as to the time or dis
tanco, the ground having beer accurately
measured, and the time taken by the best
watches. Eclipse was not rode by Purdy
the first heat, or, it is supposed by many,
the result would have been different At
starting for the second heat, however, the
confidence of success in our horse was in a
degree restored by seeing him mounted
by his old rider, in whom there is AS much
faith here as IN Virginia is placed in the
judgment of Colonel johnson. Henry a r.
gain started ahead and kept the lead untiI
the termination Of the third round, when a
push was made by Purdy, and Eclipse, for
the first time, brought along side Of his
rival. This was Justly considered by the
northern sportsmen as decisive Of the re-
suit; for they had sufficiently tested the
fact, that no horse can contend in strength
aud bottom with Eclipse. The event verl-
fled the correctness Of sheir estimate for,
after most severe struggle, Eclipse gain
cd the lead and came in upwards OF two
lengths ahead. While, however, the SOU
them horse was leading, the most profound
silence prevailed throughout the vast as
sembled multitude -
" There was stiffness as of death,
And the holdest held their breath
For a time"
But when Eclipse shot-a-head, such an
universal shout was sent forth, as made
the weikin ring. The time of running this
heat was seven minutes forty nine seconds,
which is also shorter time than four
miles have ever before been run in this
country. In the third heat EcIise took the
lead and kept il to the close, beating by
about length The time was minutes
"a seconds. In this heat the rider of Hen.
ry was also changed, and he was managed
with great skill, but without effect. The
average of the 3 heats is minutes So 90
seconds, rate when continued through
three heats, to which, AS far AS we learn,
there is no parallel in the sporting annals
OF this country car of Great Britain. The
space per second over which the winning
morse IN the first heat passed, must have
been 46 feet.
The Baltimore Morning Chronicle re-
marks on the race
"The only anxiety that we felt upon
this subject was, that the victorious party
would bear their part with moderation, and
the vanquished with dignity. If we must
have contention, let the object he worthy
OF it" the blood more stirs shakespeare
says) to rouse IA Lion, than to start
Hare" New York has ample cause to ex-
nlt, on other grounds than this triumph
her Canal which untes the waters ye the