316 on SPORTS AtfD EXERCISES. 



tcrised as inhuman, cruel, disgraceful, and beastly, anA 

 which can excite nothing but brutality, ferociousness and 

 cowardice; for, its direct tendency is to debase th« 

 mind, deaden the feelings, and extiuguish every spark of 

 benevolence." 



II. The amusements which depend on bodily exercisci 

 and personal contests. 

 On the art of It is not compatible with the limits of this essay to 

 boxing. notice the variety of bodily exercises and active sports to 



which the people of England are generally addicted. 

 But there is one kind of personal contest, to the con- 

 sideration of which the remaining part of these remarks 

 will be chiefly devoted, as it has been the source of ob- 

 loquy and reprobation among foreigners, to the national 

 character. The public exhibition of boxing, and the 

 practice of the same art in deciding private and persoiiiil 

 quarrels, are here alluded to. 

 Whether pu- The exhibition of pugilism on a public stage, is uu>st 

 gilism be com- probably a relic of one species of the Roman gymnastic. 

 This mode of venal stage-fighting is a barbarous prostitu- 

 tion of a manly and useful art, whether considered as an 

 exercise calculated to inspire fortitude and intrepidity, or 

 to afford etficacious means of defence against personal 

 Insult and violence. But when considered merely in thi 

 light of yielding gratification as a public spectacle, or 

 of furnishing an opportunity for gambling speculations, 

 It U less dan- jt is then viewed . in all its naked deformity — Yet, is not 

 most^other" *^® ^^^ ^^ boxing, by which instantaneous insult may be 

 means of 4ud- avenged, or personal injury averted, less dangerous than 

 den combat. ^^^ other practice adopted by the inhabitants of the con- 

 tinent on similar occasions and for similar purposes ? 

 The question is an important one; and the folloAving 

 facts and observations may serve, perhaps, to apologize 

 for, if they cannot justify, a custom so intern o^reu with 

 our national manners and character. 

 If man cannot So long as man is subject to the imperfection of his 



be prevented ^^^^^pg j^g ^„5j- ij^ compelk-d to acquire the art of self- 



irom some ap- ^ '^ ^ 



peal to vio- defence, as well as that of annoyance to others. Our 



leuce, then— experience of his conduct and character, teaches us the 



impossibility of extinguishing the passions of pride and 



resoutment, which, although they frequently involve him 



in 



