214 ON SPORTS AND EXERCISES* 



The Grecian sports fortified the body and disciplined the 

 mind, without injuring the one or brutalizing the other. 

 Universal de- Indeed the superior wisdoju ol' Grecian policy rendered 

 pravityaccom- the public diversions subservient to the interests of the 

 pamedthc lat- ^^^^^ ^^ ^^jj ^^ ^^ ^^^ happiness of the people. The Ro- 

 man government did not always neglect this branch of 

 policy. For, their sports, in the early and rude state of 

 the nation, were adapted to the circumstances in which 

 the people were placed. But incessantly harassed them- 

 selves, or employed in harassing others, they had neither 

 leisure nor inclination to cultivate those arts which con- 

 tribute to liberal amusement : ever occupied with war- 

 fare, all their amusements had a warlike tendency. Th« 

 contests of savage animals and the conflicts of gladia- 

 tors, suited alike the ferocious manners of the populace 

 — . which was ^^d the political views of their rulers. When the era- 

 iiot changed by pire had subdued more polished nations, it might have 

 witli morTpo- ^*^^" expected, that its amusements would have assumed a 

 lishcd Rations, different spirit and complexion. But the habits of the 

 people were too deeply rooted and depraved to be easily 

 changed — And, indeed, so far were their rulers from 

 wishing to accomplish this reformation, that, from cor- 

 rupt and selfish views, they studiously excited the pro- 

 pensities of the people toward degrading and inhuman 

 shews, by administering constant food for these savage 

 enjoyments. 

 Modern eivi- In the progress of civilization, since the downfal of the 

 hzation has Roman empire, great and important changes have taken 

 bettered the , . . t^ .^i Ix i- • ,-.. , 



condition and piace m Jburopo-, with respect to religious, political, and 



manners of civil institutions. The melioration of the condition of 

 society; ^^^^ j^ j^j^ social and domestic state, and the general re- 



finement of his character and manners, have been the 

 happy result of these moral and political revolutions. 

 — but barba- Yet still there remain sufficient vestiges of antient bar- 

 rity stdl re- barity to throw a dark shade on the present state of im- 

 * proved civilization. The cruel sports still so highly re- 



lished in many parts of modern Europe, and which bear 

 go near a resemblance to the savage congests of the Cir. 

 cus, exhibit lasting and disgraceful proofs of the relics of 

 antient barbarism. Our own country has been but too 

 justly stigmatized, eren by her less polished neighbours, 



for 



