ECONOMICAL SPOUT. 



" WHAT is a gentleman without his recreations ? " 

 inquires one of our deepest observers of human nature ; 

 and, indeed, it is a conceded fact that " all work and 

 no play makes Jack a dull boy." A young man starting 

 in life in any occupation which does not of necessity 

 take up his whole time, must have relaxation, and the 

 healthiest amusements to be found are undoubtedly field 

 sports. Field sports, however, are not to be had for 

 nothing ; but, as their nature and the manner of enjoying 

 them vary considerably, it is worth while to consider 

 what will give the maximum of enjoyment with the 

 minimum of expense or, in plainer language, how the 

 most fun is to be had for our money. 



To a young man living in the country, the three 

 sports of hunting, shooting, and fishing are probably 

 more or less accessible ; and, although none of the three 

 are to be enjoyed exactly for nothing, circumstances 

 will be found to alter the expense of each. Fishing is 

 undoubtedly the cheapest sport, if one has the water to 

 fish, as the kit and tackle required are not ruinous to 

 buy or expensive to keep in repair. Shooting also, if 

 one shoots one's friend's game, is a moderately reason- 

 able sport; whilst hunting takes money, no doubt, 

 unless one's friends mount one and then there is the 

 stud groom ! Old fogies of both sexes, when they hear 

 that a young man is fond of hunting and indulges that 

 taste, at once either write him down as a rich man, or 



