On Hunting , Shooting , &c. 343 
yet capable of difcovering confiderable pleafure 
from thofe amufements, the profeflfed objed of 
which is, to deprive of life an innocent animal, 
unacquainted with thofe defires which fpring 
from luxury, and afking no more of the bounties 
of our common Parent, than is neceflfary to its 
own fupport and exiftence. 
To be prompted to fuch adions, not from 
any neceflity ro gratify the wants of nature, but 
folely from the defire of amufement, appears, 
at firft view, repugnant to every principle of 
humanity, and feems more charaderiftic of the 
ferocity of a favage, than of the clemency of a 
civilized being. What then fhall we conclude! 
Are there no charaders exempt from incon- 
fiftency ? Or is virtue an empty name, without 
precife meaning ? The mind (brinks with 
averfion from either conclufion. Let us there¬ 
fore take a more intimate view of the motives 
to fuch adions, and, perhaps, they may admit 
a folution, Kfs repugnant to our feelings. 
From the attributes juftly afcribed to the 
benevolent Author of our exiftence, we may 
fafely conclude, that every propenfity, with 
which the human mind is endowed, is not only 
neceflfary, but even conducive to our happinefs, 
whilft indulged in a proper degree. This is 
not more true, of the mild and gentle difpo- 
fitions, thofe which feern to be houriftied by the 
£t milk of human kindnefs,” than of our more 
Z 4 adive 
