250 MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE. 



this peculiar endowment, and that it was intended to be 

 made useful to man. 



786. It is true that there are objections to this kind of 

 sport. To those situated in large towns, it would perhaps 

 be nearly impracticable as a daily exercise ; and besides, 

 there is, at least, a semblance of cruelty in it. With re- 

 spect to the latter, how T ever, the conscience may be greatly 

 relieved by adhering to two rules, which true sportsmen 

 never violate. The first is, never to shoot at any bird 

 which is not fit for the table ; and the second, never to 

 shoot at any bird that is fit for the table, unless it be on 

 the wing. By adopting these rules, the beginner will 

 have to account chiefly for motives, and intentions, since 

 he w r ill seldom be troubled by seeing his bird fall. Still, 

 however, the excitement does not entirely fail from want 

 of success ; and if the tyro will persevere for a few days, 

 or until he has " bagged " a few " brace" of birds, he will 

 then find his conscience perfectly at rest on the subject of 

 field-sports, both with regard to intentions and overt acts. 

 Sir Walter Scott was enabled to continue his great mental 

 efforts by the use of this kind of exercise. 



ANGLING. 



787. Those who do not require the violent exercise in- 

 separable from sporting with the dog and gun, may per- 

 haps find as interesting a recreation in angling ; which, 

 ever since the days of that father of " brook-sports," Izaak 

 Walton, has never wanted most honorable patrons. And 

 it must be confessed, that on several accounts this is hard- 

 ly excelled by any other recreative employment. Indeed, 

 we have the pleasure of knowing many a trout-fisher, 

 whose present enjoyments are greatly heightened by this 



.exercise, and whose useful lives will undoubtedly be pro- 

 longed by its continuance. 



788. One of these, a gentleman who has retired from 

 an active employment, often expresses his thankfulness 

 that he is attached to this recreation, considering it, inde- 

 pendently of the pleasure it confers, as one of the most 

 efficient causes of the fine state of health which he enjoys. 



