Popular Sports and ExemOes, fi05 



be checked, in proportion as men were more 

 ^^//a////' possessed ot the means of defence or 

 aggression. — They would learn to resptxt the 

 skill and bravery of each other, and conse- 

 quently l^e less prone to'^ndue resentment and 

 quarrels. The government that ^vould at- 

 tempt, with a despotic and sevxre authority, 

 to controul the exertions of self-confidence, 

 and a moderate exercise of just resentment, 

 could only expect to rule over a natiomTjf 

 timid and revengeful slaves. The open axid 

 ingenuous expression of manly indignation 

 might be repressed ; but the rancorous feelings 

 of malignant revenge, would be fostered, and 

 encouraged. But no . state can, with any 

 prospect of success, attempt such an absolute 

 dominion over the passions of men. And if it 

 did, " it must (according to the observation of 

 a spirited author) in order to act consistently, 

 prohibit the use of knives, hatchets, and even 

 pokers ; for any of these, upon a sudden emer- 

 gency, might impart a fearful power to the 

 enraged and the feeble." 



If we consider the practice of other countries, 

 where boxing is unknown, we shall find, that 

 the modes of resenting injuries, resorted to by 

 the common people, are full of danger and fe- 



