ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF SPORTS. 9 



were the favourite amufements of the hardy 

 EngUQi peafautry in 1588 — 



When our rough youth wreftled, and threw the weight. 



And to fuch rational indulgencies, together 

 with the conftant moderate price of all the ne- 

 ceflaries of life, it was no doubt owing, that 

 their minds were retained in a ftate of cheer- 

 fulnefs and content, notwithftanding the de- 

 grading defpotifm under which they exifted ; 

 hence a moll tyrannic conftitution enjoyed the 

 enviable reputation of -being deemed a fyflem 

 of liberty. 



Exclufive of the pofitive right of the lower 

 ranks to all fuch enjoyments as are fairly 

 wnthin tlie reach of their means, other argu- 

 ments of great force in favour of their allow- 

 ance and encouragrement are to be adduced. 

 The manly and athletic fports invigorate and 

 harden the conftitution ; they fuperfede in the 

 mind the itch for ledentary and deftruftive 

 games of chance ; they ferve as an antidote to 

 the infalubrious effe61s of confinement in the 

 manufafturer ; above all, they conduce mate- 

 rially to the procreation of a vigorous and 

 healthy offspring ; they are an excellent prepa- 

 ration for the military exercifes, and render 

 men fit to become defenders of their country. 



It is necefiary to furnifii examples of due 

 difcrimination in the cafe of brute animals. 



Their 



