ox SPORTS AND EXERCISES. 317 



in misery, are still the sources of some of his noblest qna- 

 lities and attributes. As some portion of evil will attach 

 to the best and wisest system of moral or ciril restraint; 

 that policy is, perhaps, the wisest, which legislates for 

 man as he is, not altogether as he ought to be. Sutler the 

 passions to reign uncontrouled, and you dissolve the 

 bonds of society ; stifle the active energies of a resolute 

 independent spirit, and you degrade the man into a 

 passive slave. The feeling of resentment for unprovoked 

 injury and insult is a salutary, if not instinctive provision 

 of our common nature. It may be asked — " Is man 

 then to be the judge and avenger of his own wrongs? Is 

 not every olfence against the person of a citizen a breach 

 of the laws of society ? and should it not be punished as 



such?" Certainly: — But if in the best regulated 



itates it be found impracticable to prevent man from fre- 

 quently asserting a claim to the vindication of his own 

 real or supposed wrongs, it then becomes a question of 

 expediencij as to the most preferable mode hj which he 

 may be enabled to obtain this end. Boxing may not __ t • ^ 

 unjustly be considered as the most eligible means of most eligible, 

 offence and defence. It is properly ranked among those for various 



r£ SI SOUS 



athletic exercises, which, at the same time that they im- 

 part address and strength to the bodj, inspire courage 

 and fortitude in the mind. It may indeed lead bad hearts 

 and had heads into acts of presumption and petty tyrannyj 

 but this propensity to an improper exertion of skill and 

 courage would be checked, in proportion as men were 

 more equallij possessed of the means of defence or ag- 

 gression. They would leara to respect the skill and 

 bravery of each other, and consequently be less prone to 

 undue resentment and quarrels. The government that 

 would attempt, with a despotic and severe authority, t6 

 controul the exertions of self-confidenc6, and a mbderafo 

 exercise of just rasentment, cOuld only expect to rule 

 over a nation of timid and revengeful slaves. The open 

 and ingenuous expression of manly indignation might be 

 repressed ; but the rancorous feelings of malignant re- 

 venge would be fostered and encouraged. But no state 

 can, with any prospect of success, attempt such an abso- 

 lute doaiinion over the passions of men. And if it did, 



" it 



