254 MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE. 



design in this peculiar endowment, and that it was in- 

 tended to be made useful to man. 



It is true that there are objections to this kind of sport. 

 To those situated in large towns, it would perhaps be 

 nearly impracticable as a daily exercise ; and besides, 

 there is, at least, a semblance of cruelty in it. With re- 

 spect to the latter however, the conscience may be great- 

 ly relieved by adhering to two rules, which true sports- 

 men never violate. The first is, never to shoot at any 

 bird which is not fit for the table ; and the second, never 

 to shoot at any bird that is fit for the table, unless it be 

 on the wing. By adopting these rules, the beginner will 

 have to account chiefly for motives, and intentions, since 

 he will seldom be troubled by seeing his bird fall. Still, 

 however, the excitement does not entirely fail from want 

 of success ; and if the tyro will persevere for a few days, 

 or until he has " bagged" a few " brace" of birds, he 

 will then find his conscience perfectly at rest on the sub- 

 ject of field sports, both with regard to intentions, and 

 overt acts. Sir Walter Scott was enabled to continue 

 his great mental efforts by the use of this kind of exer- 

 cise. 



ANGLING. 



Those who do not require the violent exercise insep- 

 arable from sporting with the dog and gun, may perhaps 

 find as interesting a recreation in angling ; which ever 

 since the days of that father of "brook sports," Izaak 

 Walton, has never wanted most honorable patrons. 

 And it must be confessed, that on several accounts this 

 is hardly excelled by any other recreative employment. 

 Indeed, we have the pleasure of knowing many a Trout- 

 fisher, whose present enjoyments are greatly heightened 

 by this exercise, and whose useful lives will undoubted- 

 ly be prolonged by its continuance. 



One of these, a gentleman who has retired from an 

 active employment, often expresses his thankfulness that 

 he is attached to this recreation, considering it, indepen- 

 dently of the pleasure it confers, as one of the most effi- 

 cient causes of the fine state of health which he enjoys. > 



