INTRODUCTORY. 1 1 



which no young man of ability and position would 

 fail to avail himself. 



This prejudice against the name of sportsman is 

 partly due to the fact, that, owing to their entire 

 absorption in business pursuits, Americans have no 

 time left to indulge in a delightful recreation, — a re- 

 creation that, besides giving joy and pleasure, adds 

 much to the health of whoever is sufficiently skilled 

 to enjoy it. It is due also partly to the fact that in 

 this country hunting has been chiefly confined to a 

 class of men who have injured its reputation. 



In imitation of our cousins across the water, we 

 should strive to make ourselves a more active and 

 healthy race, by field-exercises in hunting, ball-playing, 

 and other* athletic sports. These, if properly indulged 

 in, will neutralize much of the evil that results from 

 associations in the bar-room, and in many places of 

 amusement, attended as they are with late hours 

 and vicious habits. Any gentleman who can take his 

 dog and gun, and go into the woods for a day or two, 

 inhaling the fine bracing air of early morn, and knock 

 over a brace of woodcock on the wing, stop the rabbit 

 in his long leaps, or cut down the noble partridge in 

 its flight, will make the sluggish blood dance in his 

 veins, and add much to health and long life by this 

 open, manly exercise. 



