2 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



cannot enter into the enthusiasm of the poet, — cannot 

 be, with myself, at once transported into the very heart of 

 that " deliglitful scene where all around is gay :"— but 

 if less has been written upon " The Noble Science" of 

 Hunting, than upon other subjects of far less importance 

 to the good of man, it is not from any lack of materials for 

 quartos— but, simply, because the practice so far outweighs 

 the theory ; because, like good wine that needs no bush, 

 it requires no description to enhance its attractions ; and 

 because considerably more than three parts out of four 

 of the number of hunting men, are contented to take 

 tlieir share of the enjoyment, as they find it, without a 

 thought towards the scientific or theoretical part of the 

 pursuit, on the due cultivation of which there is so much 

 more than they are aware of, depending. 



Far be it from me to desire that all sons of Nim- 

 rod should degenerate, or be at once transformed 

 into scribblers, book-worms, or, as a huntsman of my 

 acquaintance more aptly designated them, bookmen. 

 Heaven forefend, too, that those actively engaged in high 

 and useful calling, should not, in the joys of the chase, find 

 legitimate relaxation from the arduous course of literary 

 avocations! — but, as some apology for committing to 

 paper my " Thoughts upon Hunting," I would impress 

 upon those friends who may vouchsafe an attempt to 

 read what I have written, the fact, that few, possessing 

 the ability, have found the inclination, either for their 



