i04 O^ SPORTS AND E5tlERCISES. 



ly according ta the Gircumstanccs under which he ii 

 placed. The reef Nations and sports of mankind are there- 

 fore diversified by the influence of moral, political and 

 physical causes. The means of gratification are yarious 

 —is sought by and complex: the end simple and uniform. To escape 

 t^^chiSgrtis ^^^^ *^® sensations which may be induced by too great 

 state of re-ac- ^ too little exertion of body or mind, and to enjoy the 

 tion. pleasure which sympathy extracts from the varied inter- 



course with fellow riian, give rise to that fondness for 

 public dirersions and sportive contests, sO corispicuously 

 displayed in the history of mankirid. — The influence of - 

 physical causes, in regulating the nature of these diver- 

 sions, may be readily conceived. 

 Influence of The hardy, strenuous and active amusements of the 

 affJcTour^" -^* inhabitants of the temperate and frigid zones, would die- 

 musements. press and exhaust, rather than enliven and invigorate, the 

 ^^'^^^^y^^'^fP residents of a torrid clime. Hence the supreme delight 

 matcindolence ^^ ^^^ Asiatic consists in the enjoyment of those pleasures 

 in a. hot one. which are purchased with little fatigue of body, or agita- 

 tion of mind. To inhale the grateful fumes of his pipe, 

 and to foil his adversary in the stratagems of chess, or 

 other sedentary games, constitute the pi-incipal part of 

 his amusements. 

 Moral causes Although physical causes necessarily circumscribe the 

 act likewise, sphere of man's active pursuits, yet they have much less 

 controul than those of a moral and political kind. Man 

 is endued above all other animals with a frame and consti- 

 tution which can adapt itself to every diversity of clime 

 and change of temperature. He can, in a measure, sub-' 

 due physical obstacles, when powerfully stimulated by 

 moral and political causes. — The savage, compelled to 

 hunt his prey for food, has little leisure to cultivate his 

 intellectual taste and powers. If not exposed to danger 

 from hostile neighbours, his recreations are mostly of a 

 negative kind. — He is happy when idle and at ease. 

 JButifhebe stimulated by the prospect of war, all his 

 amusements tend to accomplish him for carrying on suc- 

 cessfully his military exploits. His songs are praises of 

 the heroes of his nation; afld his dances are connected 

 ■with martial discipline. The public shews and festivals 



of 



