felicity. Many of these our sportive ancestors, might 

 truly say with Blair, 



" Friendship! mysterious cement of the soul! 

 Svveet'ner of life, and solder of society! 

 I owe thee much." 



Elegant society was then comparatively limited, the 

 occasional intercourse of congenial minds, gave a zest to 

 the relaxing hours, devoted to active recreation and cheer- 

 ful conviviality. If the country gentleman was unable to 

 display the sumptuous variety of a city feast and its ac- 

 companiments in viands and wine, at his welcome bounte- 

 ous board, he could do something more exquisite, furnish 

 on his own domains or his accommodating neighbours, 

 good hounds, horses and a Fox hunt, to beget lively enjoy- 

 ment before, and a lively appetite at the approaching repastj 

 to be succeeded by that sound and refreshing slumber, pro- 

 duced by wholesome exercise. 



We have reference to a very early period in our histo- 

 ry, and that of our sister colony of New Jersey, whose 

 shores and ours, are divided and laved by the current 

 of the majestic Delaware. 



The occasional unregulated private hunts, obtained 

 for many years, until from the scion thus early planted, 

 was produced a tree of many branches, and high flavored 

 fruit, under the delightful shade of which we have oft as- 

 sembled at early dawn, with a merry train of well mounted 

 sportive gentlemen; when as Gay beautifully expresses it, 



