THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



and looks on at the difficulties that oppose it, all his energies 

 being relaxed and absorbed in what may be called the effemi- 

 nacy of rehnement. But why all this ? Merel}^ because lie 

 was averse, from his youth, to those manly pursuits which you 

 condemn, and which he now finds out, though too late, would 

 have saved him — as they have his brother — from those almost 

 insupportable bodily inconveniences he at this time endures. 

 Then look at my own case. My wife entreated me to leave off 

 hunting with my friend Raby's harriers, on two accounts : 

 first, she feared I should break my neck, emphatically remind- 

 ing me that the key of the cupboard was in my pocket ; and, 

 secondly, tliat, as a clergj^man, it was improper in me to hunt 

 or shoot. It was in vain that I referred her to the book of 

 Genesis, to show that hunting was ordained by the Almighty 

 Himself, and also pursued b}^ the best of men. Then I must 

 not shoot, for my neighbour, Lord Longden, did not like it, 

 and it would prevent his giving me the living of Branton, 

 which, you well know, he gave to a distant relation only last 

 year, although I hung up my gun, and gave away my dogs 

 seven years back. My case, therefore, is that — more from the 

 fear of displeasing a great man, than offending my God — for I 

 cannot look upon Him as so severe a judge — I have done 

 myself all this disservice. I am punished in this world, from a 

 vain apprehension of being punished in the next ; I am become 

 a cripple, by disease produced by an inactive life, and am, 

 half my time, useless to my parishioners from that cause 

 alone. It is now too late to remedy all this ; but rather would 

 I incline to the sentiment of Confucius, that he who finds out 

 a new pleasure, provided it be harmless, is one of the most 

 useful members of society, in a highly civilised country like 

 our own.' 



The ball connnenced ; — 



'Music arose, with its voluptuous swell; 

 Soft eyes look'd love to eyes which spoke .igaiu ' ; 



and our hero was not long in selecting the partner of his choice. 

 Like Merion, in the Iliad, also, he distinguished himself by his 

 dancing, a qualification hardly to have been looked for in one 

 who might liave been disposed to have hekl that accomplish- 

 ment cheap. But sucli was not the case. It was enough for 

 him that it was an accomplishment, and one necessary for a 



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