Sir f^umpbn? Datn? 3*9 



Hal. At what time have you eaten them ? 



Orn. I have eaten them both in spring and autumn ; 

 but the autumnal birds arc the best, and are like the 

 ortolan of Italy. 



Hal. Where does the double snipe winter ? 



Orn. I believe in Africa and Asia Minor. They arc 

 rarely seen in England, except driven by an east wind 

 in the spring, or a strong north wind in the winter. 

 Their natural progress is to and from Finland and 

 Siberia, through the continent of Europe, to and from 

 the east and south. In autumn they pass more east, 

 both because they are aided by west winds, and because 

 the marshes in the east of Europe are wetter in that 

 season ; and in spring they return, but the larger pro- 

 portion through Italy, where they are carried by the 

 sirocco, and which at that time is extremely wet. Come, 

 let us have another bottle of claret : a pint per man 

 is not too much after such a day's fatigue. 



Hal. You have made me president for these four 

 days, and I forbid it. A half pint of wine for young 

 men in perfect health is enough, and you will be 

 able to take your exercise better, and feel better 

 for this abstinence. How few people calculate upon 

 the effects of constantly renewed fever, in our luxu- 

 rious system of living in England ! The heart is 

 made to act too powerfully, blood is thrown upon the 

 nobler parts, and, with the system of wading adopted 

 by some sportsmen, whether in shooting or fishing, is 

 delivered cither to the hemorrhoidal veins, or, what is 

 worse, to the head. I have known several free livers, 

 who have terminated their lives by apoplexy, or have 



