CHAPTER XVII 



THE OBJECTS OF HUNTING 



When hunting was first adopted by man it was un- 

 deniably for the purpose of procuring food, subsequently 

 for the destruction of ferocious beasts ; and experience 

 soon added another and not less interesting motive. 

 However necessary the possession of the precious metal 

 is to procure the blandishments of social life, without 

 health the possessor is not in a condition to appreciate 

 and enjoy the boon. The discovery was made in very 

 early times that strong exercise was essential to the 

 promotion of bodily health and vigour. It is reasonable 

 to presume that in all ages those who were not com- 

 pelled to labour for their daily existence required 

 some stimulus to exertion, and although the ancient 

 inhabitants of Great Britain had not to contend against 

 many of the evils which accompany luxurious in- 

 dulgence, yet the science of medicine was but imper- 

 fectly understood. Hence the energetic engagements 

 of the chase were earnestly recommended as an anti- 

 dote to plethoric disorders by the earliest writers upon, 

 and advocates of, the soul-stirring amusement. 

 Whether a man reposes under the conviction that he 

 follows the chase inspired only with the pure love of 

 sport — whether he is actuated by the influential sway 

 of fashion or whether he adopts the life of a sportsman 

 ostensibly for the promotion of his health — still the 

 object is attained, and each devotee to the chaste 

 goddess is at the same time courting Hygeia according 

 to the most pleasing interpretation of his own fancy. 



The sportsman's season may be dated from the 12th 

 of August, commencing with grouse shooting, to which 



