LONG-DISTANCE WALKING.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2157, 24 January 1881, Page 4

LONG-DISTANCE WALKING.

The Dunedin "Morning Herald" in a reoent issue asks, what is the use of exhibitions suoh as those recently given by Edwards, the long-distance pedestrian ? It says, " The exhibition was neither amusing nor exciting, the only incidents—if we except the occasional playing of the band—were his stopping to drink, and the changing of a figure on the black-board as each mile was completed. It would have been as great a punishment to most people to watch the walker for a couple of hours, as it would have been to them to sit for an equal time listening to a dull political speech or a dry theological discourse. It may be said that the trial was valuable, as showing the powers of endurance of the human frame ; but we believe that men in the discharge of their ordinary duties are constantly giving far more striking 'proofs of that power than oan be shown in a two days' walking match. We must confess our inability to discover what pleasure can be derived from witnessing the exertions of Edwards, or any similar feats of endurance. Where two or more men are striving together for the mastery, there is somo reason for interest in the success or defeat of the competitors, but in the case of Edwards' feat, what comfort oan anyone derive from the knowledge that while he himself is sleeping this man is plodding round and round the Garrison Hall, the only witnesses being a sleepy scorer, a still more sleepy barman, and possibly a wide-awake policeman."