36 ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF SPORTS. 



and produces that eafe and adroitnefs in the 

 ufe of the limbs, in which many people are 

 naturally fo deficient. In fine, the art of ma- 

 nual defence fupplies the .want of bodily 

 flrength, and may oftentimes prove an excel- 

 lent fhield to a weak man, againft cafual and 

 vulgar aggreflion. 



I have attempted, and I hope have fucceeded 

 in the proof, that neither pleafure nor profit in 

 anywife require us to difpenfe with the laws 

 of juftice and humanity, fince thofe laws, taken 

 even in the ftri6left fenfe, of neceflity impede 

 neither ; and that it is a wretched miftake to 

 dignify with the name of pleafure, thofe phren- 

 zical emotions which arife in the mind at wit- 

 neflinethe diftrefies and tortures of other crea- 

 tures. Thofe who are fo ready to condemn a 

 man for uttering truths, feem unconfcious, and 

 ought to be reminded, that they are cafi:ing re- 

 flexions upon nature herfelf. The fmall prof- 

 pe6l of immediate concurrence and fuccefs, 

 ought not to deter the moralift, whofe gratifi- 

 cation and reward properly fubfifl: in the fimple 

 performance of the duty. The prejudices and 

 errors of the human mind muft be worn away 

 gradually, and by the confl:ant attrition of jufi. 

 moral argumentation, 



Like marble ftatues rubb'd In pieces 

 Willi gallantry of pilgrims' kifles. 



CHAR 



