8 THOUGHTS ON HUNTING 



in pursuit of trifles ; and it is probable that other 

 Will Wimbles might still be found. I hope, however, 

 that he did not think they were solely confined to 

 the country. Triflers there are of every denomina- 

 tion. Are we not all triflers ? and are we not told 

 that all is vanity ? The Spectator without doubt, 

 felt great compassion for Mr. Wimble ; yet Mr. 

 Wimble might not have been a proper object of 

 it ; since it is more than probable that he was a 

 happy man, if the employment of his time in 

 obliging others, and pleasing himself, can be thought 

 to have made him so. Whether vanity mislead us 

 or not in the choice of our pursuits, the pleasures 

 or advantages which result from them will best deter- 

 mine. I fear that the occupation of few gentlemen 

 will admit of nice scrutiny : occupations therefore 

 that amuse, and are at the same time innocent ; that 

 promote exercise, and conduce to health ; though 

 they may appear trifles in the eyes of others, cer- 

 tainly are not so to those who enjoy them. Of this 

 number, I think I may reckon hunting ; and I am 

 particularly glad that the same author furnishes a 

 quotation in support of it : " For my own part," says 

 this elegant writer, " I intend to hunt twice a week, 

 during my stay with Sir Roger ; and shall prescribe 

 the moderate use of this exercise to all my country 

 friends, as the best physic for mending a bad con- 

 stitution, and preserving a good one." The inimitable 

 Cervantes also honourably mentions this diversion : 

 he makes Sancho say — " Mercy on me, what 

 pleasure can you find, any of ye all, in killing a 



