166 ■ On the Use and Abuse of 



tx> danger from hostile neighbours, his recre- 

 ations are mostly of a negative kind. — He is 

 happy when idle and at ease. But if he be stimu- 

 lated by the prospect of war, all his amuse- 

 ments tend to accomplish him for carrying on 

 Successfully his military exploits. His songs 

 are praises of the heroes of his nation ; and his 

 dances are connected with martial discipline. 

 The public shews and festivals of his country 

 are, almost without exception, of the character 

 of savage war.* 



^ According to tbe degree of civilization 

 will the public sports and amusements of 

 a people partake more or less of the mixed 

 character of corporeal and mental recreation. 

 A display of the arts which refine and glad- 

 den life, can only flourish where the condi- 

 tion of man has been long meliorated by the 

 enjoyment of moral and political advantages. — 



* The savage tribes of Aurerica furnish various proofs 

 of the truth of this remark. Likewise in Collins's ac- 

 count of the nnlives of New Holland, there is a curious 

 illustration of the propensity of a rude and savage people 

 to those arausements which are adapted to their peculiar 

 situation. 



Indeed the singular and ludicrous ceremony of initialing 

 voulh into the rank of warriors, at the celebration of 

 their military exercises and games, is a striking instance 

 of that disposition to amusement, which even the mo^t 

 lavage and wretched state of life cannot eradicate. 



