35 ~ On Hunting , Shootings &c, 
renders fuch a propenfity abfolutely necefiary j 
we have feen it become, at once conducive to 
his convenience, and his pleafures ; we behold 
him emerge, from a rtate of uncivilization, into 
polifhed life. This propenfity ftill accompanies 
him ; it ftimulates him to exercife the efficient 
caufe of health j it infpires him with a love of 
induftry and aftivity, the certain fource of true 
pleafure; he becomes habituated to fatigue and 
exertion, defpifes danger and difficulty, nor 
dreads expofure to thofe elements, from whofe 
feverity he acquires ftrength of body, with vigor 
and firmnefs of mind. We have feen, with re- 
fpeft to brute animals, thar, being dcftined for 
the ufe of man, in depriving them of exigence, 
he difturbs not the order and intention of nature; 
that, in facrificing them to his pleafures, he nei¬ 
ther deftroys nor diminifhes their portion of 
enjoyment; and that, in exercifing the preroga¬ 
tive with which he is inverted, if he were not 
thus prompted by inclination, he would be com¬ 
pelled by neceffity. 
It may be urged, if not as an argument in 
favour of thefe diverfions, yet as a circumftance 
which fhould incline us to caution in condemning 
them, that they are purfued by many indivi¬ 
duals, who are diftinguifbed for thofe virtues 
of the heart; which feem totally inconfirtent with 
thoughtlefs or with intentional cruelty; and 
which 
