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 ''dehghtful 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 out- 

 weighs 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 

 their 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 aw^are 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 li- 

 terary avocations 1 — 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 

 own amusement or the benefit of others, to publish 

 matter which must be more or less interesting to every 



