184 On the Use and Abuse of 



sports .of antiquity than the rest of Europe, 

 there is the merit due to us of having more 

 extensively adopted and Jjractised those 

 jkmusements and exercises, which inure the 

 body to labour and fatigue, and inspire the 

 mind with courage and emulation. In treating 

 on the general character and spirit of some of 

 the sports and exercises of the people of Eng- 

 land, it will not be necessary to enter into 

 particular detail. It is only proposed to hint 

 at those of a popular nature^ and which seem 

 to be interwoven with the customs and man- 

 ners of the mass of the people. They may be 

 comprised under two heads. 



1st. The sports which are 4^rived from the 

 animal creation. 



2d. The amusements which depend upon 

 bodily exercises and personal contests. 



I. It cannot be denied, that mankind, at 

 every period of society and under every diver- 

 sity of country and government, have rendered 

 the animal race subservient to their wanton and 

 cruel sports. But the universality and anti- 

 quity of a practice, founded on inhumanity and 

 impolicy, are inadequate to sanction its utility 

 ^nd continuance. If it can be shewn that 

 barbarous sports tend to brutalize the human 

 character, and are inconsistent with the ma- 

 nifest intentions of providetice 3 the argument 



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