THE NOBLE SCIENCE. *> 



than hunting ; but having been in this, my introductoiy 

 chapter, more than sufficiently prosy, I will not tax the 

 patience of those whom I wish to dip further into this 

 volume, by entering into a consideration of the progress 

 of " The Noble Science" from its origin to its present 

 state of perfection, or of its bearings upon the social 

 character of man ; but I will here briefly record my 

 opinion, that hunting is entitled to all the encouragement 

 which any State may have the power to bestow upon it. 

 The effect of so manly an exercise upon the mind of 

 youth has been well described by abler pens; its tendency 

 to promote that good fellowship which should be *' our 

 being's end and aim" is duly tested by the position of 

 society in those counties where its influence has been 

 most felt. No higher testimony to its practical utility, 

 in a national point of view, can be required than that of 

 as brave a hero as ever drew a sword, — the gallant Lord 

 Lynedoch; — he whom Napoleon characterized as "that 

 daring old man" has often affirmed, that he should not 

 have been the soldier he is, had he not been bred a fox- 

 hunter. 



The Koman poet, speaking of Diana, the goddess of 

 hunting, says, " Deas supereminet omnes." From the 

 time of Nimrod to the present, hunting has ever ranked 

 first and foremost of all exercises, whether by man, in 

 an uncivilized state, as the natural means of subsistence, 

 or by the most enlightened and refined, as a soul- 

 inspiring source of pleasure. 



Furthermore, I will add that fox-hunting ever has 



