254 AN AMERICAN HUNTER 



been administered in the selfish interest of one class and 

 against the interest of the people as a whole, that here 

 in this country, and under our institutions, they would 

 not be beneficial to all of our people. So far from game 

 laws being in the interest of the few, they are emphatically 

 in the interest of the many. The very rich man can stock 

 a private game preserve, or journey afar off to where 

 game is still plentiful; but it is only where the game 

 is carefully preserved by the State that the man of small 

 means has any chance to enjoy the keen delight of the 

 chase. 



There are many sides to the charm of big game hunt- 

 ing; nor should it be regarded as being without its solid 

 advantages from the standpoint of national character. 

 Always in our modern life, the life of a highly complex 

 industrialism, there is a tendency to softening of fibre. 

 This is true of our enjoyments; and it is no less true of 

 very many of our business occupations. It is not true 

 of such work as railroading, a purely modern develop- 

 ment, nor yet of work like that of those who man the 

 fishing fleets; but it is preeminently true of all occupa- 

 tions which cause men to lead sedentary lives in great 

 cities. For these men it is especially necessary to provide 

 hard and rough play. Of course, if such play is made 

 a serious business, the result is very bad; but this does 

 not in the least affect the fact that within proper limits 

 the play itself is good. Vigorous athletic sports carried 

 on in a sane spirit are healthy. The hardy out-of-door 

 sports of the wilderness are even healthier. It is a mere 

 truism to say that the qualities developed by the hunter 



