34 6 On Huntings Shooting, &c. 
tojuftify thefe diverfions, to attempt it on prin¬ 
ciples, which apply to a ftate, wherein men are 
humanized, by laws and government, and by 
the refining influence of arts, fciences, and re¬ 
ligion. 
It will be generally allowed, that the health 
and vigour of the intellectual, as well as of the 
corporeal fyftem, require frequent exercife, and 
that their very exiftence almofl: depends upon it. 
It is alfo pretty evident, that to induce fuch a 
degree of exertion as vyill promote thefe ends, 
there mult be fomething to ftimulate and incite ; 
the final caufe being too remote an objeCt. 
Hence, every amufement which exercifes the 
powers and faculties of man, if not improperly 
expenfive, nor necefiarily attended with a negleCt 
of more noble and important purfuits, is, in 
this point of view, not only not cenfurable, but 
meritorious. 
Such, however, is the conftitution of man, 
that health alone will not fatisfy his afpirations 
after happinefs •, and it is clear, that exer¬ 
cife is not more necefiary to the perfe&ion of 
his faculties, than to the promotion of his 
pleafures. In the words of an elegant writer, 
equally diftinguifhed for depth of thought, and 
benevolence of character.* “ Labour is the 
chief ingredient of the felicity to which man 
* See the Stoic, Hume’s Eflays. 
afpires, 
