214 LETTER XXXV. 



mals are destitute of every means of defence, and cm 

 every side surrounded with enemies; but the Great 

 Autlior and Preserver of all beings, has, in the wise 

 and good plan of his universal providence, given to 

 one such a variety of means of escape, and to the 

 other so amazing a fecundity, that neither is extir- 

 pated. 



THE HARE 



is an animal so generally known, that a minute de- 

 scription is unnecessary. It is proper, however, t* 

 remark, that being furnished with long ears, which 

 are readily moved and directed with facility to every 

 quarter, it is instantaneously warned of the approach 

 of danger; and the largeness and prominency of its 

 eyes, adapted to the perception of objects in every 

 direction, equally contribute to its safety. Its swift- 

 ness, also, is such, that it soon leaves its pursuers be- 

 hind; and its enemies can seize it only by surprise, 

 or by wearying it out with long and persevering pur- 

 suit. The hind legs of the hare being much longer 

 than those before, and very strong and muscular, give 

 it a singular facility of running up a hill, an advan- 

 tage of which, from an instinctive knowledge of it* 

 powers, it seldom fails to avail itself. 



Thus formed for escape, apprehensive of every dan- 

 ger, and attentive to every alarm, this inoffensive ani- 

 mal might be supposed to live in a state of tolerable 

 security ; but every rapacious beast and bird is its ene- 

 my; and man, more formidable than all, makes use of 

 every artifice to obtain so delicious an article of food 

 for his table. 



Were I to enumerate the various stratagems which 

 human ingenuity has invented for taking this timid 

 creature, I might also enter into along detail of its 

 contrivances for evading pursuit. The hare frequently 

 runs to a pool of water, and swims to a cluster of 

 rushes growing in the middle, where it conceals itself 

 from the view of* the dogs, or crosses a stream in or- 

 der to break their scent. It will sometimes run into 

 a sheep fold, and lie down among the sheep, or leap 

 upoa an old wall, and hide, itself among the ivy, or 



