136 on the irifluence cf taste. Oct. J, 



Hunting the fox is one of the most favourite 

 rural diversions among people O'f high rank in Eng- 

 land. For that purpose, many privileged covers 

 are kept in different parts of the country, where 

 ■ioxes are suffered to breed without annoyance, to the 

 great prejudice of the farmers around. Were it not 

 for this circumstance, foxes^as well as wolves, would 

 probably have been long ago extirpated in England. 



They fhelter themselves, and breed in hole', in the 

 earth, or among recks, where tl.-^y can find them ; but 

 not being capable of digging, themselves, they often 

 drive the badger out from the hole he has dug for 

 himself, and take pofsefsion of it, as a safe retreat fcj: 

 "themselves, and a secure nest for their young. 



ON THE INFLUENCE OF TASTE 



OX DOMESTIC ANI>SOCIAL LIFE. 



Continued from p. 120. 



" Taste pronr.o'es the tranquillity and happirefs of fain'lks and friends. "^ 



1 AT first divided my subject, concerning the influence 

 of taste, into the scopes of individual, of domestic, and 

 social, or public happinefs. I have m my last fjaper 

 endeavoured to describe the natural weaknefs of hu- 

 man nature, — its tendency to the fruition of animal 

 pleasure, — its disappointment in theexpected continu- 

 ance of young deligiits, — its self abasement, disgust, 

 and chagreen, — together with its various, but abor- 

 tive attempts, to fill up that infinite vacuity, which 

 - is left in the rational sou), when man, rejecting intcl- 

 Itctual nourilhment, feeds upon garbage, leaving the 



