8 ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF SPORTS. 



real nature, metamorphofed the conciliating 

 cheerfulnefs of our Church-of-England Sun- 

 day, into the horrid gloom of a Jewifh Sabbath: 

 it was a tender mercy, or an aft of forgetful- 

 nefs, in fuch zealots, that they did not alfo pro- 

 cure an ordonnance to circumcife, as well as 

 excife, the nation, or to impofe upon free-born 

 men the prepofterous and unnatural burden of 

 the whole Hebrew ritual ; to do which, indeed, 

 as M'hat they really did, their right was pre- 

 cifely equal. I do not recollefcl; that any at- 

 tempt was made to revive the Book of Sports 

 after the Reftoration ; but I hncerely think, 

 that the complexion of the prefent time de- 

 mands a relaxation in this point, infinitely ra- 

 ther than thofe additional reflraints, fo warmly 

 recommended by, perhaps well-meaning, al- 

 though, as I humbly conceive, mifguided men. 

 It is much better to concede at firft with a good 

 grace, that which in probability will afterwards 

 be taken without leave : a leflbn generally 

 learned too late by the advocates of. coercion. 



The gymnaflic exercifes, wreftling, fparring, 

 foot-ball, cricket, and all thofe games which 

 may be enjoyed without crime, and without 

 any material diffipation of the time, or the 

 earnings of labour, fliould never be checked or 

 impeded in the laborious clalTes ; but rather 

 encouraged by the countenance, prefence, and 

 even perhaps participation of the rich. Such 



3 were 



