ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF SPORTS. 35 



tions. Granting it true that boxing has fucli 

 an important moral efFe6l upon the vulgar 

 mind, it were furely an impolitic ftep to difcou- 

 rage it in compliment to fanaticifm, hypocrify, 

 or miflaken ideas of humanity. Public encou- 

 ragement it needs none, being as it were bound 

 up in the very nature of the Englifh people, 

 amongfl whom there are to be found, at every 

 period, individuals enow,emuIous of patronizing 

 the pugiliftic art; yet to keep alive an art, fchools 

 and pra6lice are required. In countries where 

 commerce and manufa61;ure univerfally prevail ; 

 habits of delicacy, the love of eafe, and an in- 

 aptitude for defence, will invariably be induced 

 with length of time; amongft the inhabitants of 

 fuch countries, it muft be madnefs to check the 

 principle of a martial fpirit under any legiti- 

 mate form. 



I (hall decline the enquiry how far the prac- 

 tice of pugilifm would be confident with our 

 eftablifhed ideas of gentility, but hold myfelf 

 warranted by reafon (all the warrant which 

 ought to be required in any pofTible cafe) 

 ftrongly to recommend the manly exercife of 

 the pugiliftic fchool to all ranks. Nothing 

 contributes more to brace the linews, open the 

 cheft, and to impart a firm and vigorous tone 

 to the whole body, at the fame time affording 

 a very agreeable exercife of the mental facul- 

 ties. It forms an ereft and graceful carriage, 



D 2 and 



