342 On Hunting, Shooting , &c. 
mitted, whether their objeCt be, the pleafure of 
the individual, or the benefit of fociety, ought 
to be regarded as unworthy of ferious attention. 
The prevailing, though much to be lamented 
propenfity of individuals, to juftify their own 
failings, by the detection of fimilar weaknefs in 
fuperior characters, renders fuch an inveftigation 
the more neceffary •, and if, in the profecution 
thereof, it fhould appear, that unworthy motives 
have been erroneoufly afcribed to fome aCtions, 
which may be traced to a different fource ; or 
that from the peculiar conftitution of human 
nature, fome weakneffes are infeparable from 
kindred excellence; fuch difeoveries would prove 
ufeful acquifitions to our fund of knowledge ; 
they would tend to reCtify the miftaken con¬ 
ceptions of the ignorant, or to improve the 
diferiminating faculty in t'nofe, who are moft 
eafily feduced by the influence of exam; le. 
In reafoning concerning a fpecies of animals, 
which we fuppofe, governed by a principle 
fuperior to that of inftinCt, it is defirable to 
trace a confiftency between fentiments and 
aClions, as on this alone, our claim to virtue and 
to reafon feems founded. On a fuperficial 
furvey, however, fuch a confiftency appears 
but ill fupported in the conduCt of thofe, who, 
whilft they difeharge all the moral duties, and 
in an efpecial manner, praCtife the virtues of 
hofpitality, humanity, and benevolence, are 
yet 
